By John Mack Freeman
Although all sorts of anti-GLBT legislation comes up every year, 2015’s special flavor so far has been the so-called “religious freedom” bills. These bills seek to give business owners and government employees the right to refuse services to GLBT people based on the service providers religious beliefs. Numerous states are pursuing these bills, and here is the current lay of the land.
The Arkansas Senate passed a religious freedom bill in that state. The Arkansas House had previously overwhelmingly approved the measure. Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) has said that he will sign the bill once it reaches his desk.
However, there is better news out of Montana and Georgia (at least for the moment). A religious freedom bill in Montana received a 50-50 vote in the state senate. According to the rules of the chamber, the measure failed as it requires a majority to pass any legislation. The full contingent of 41 Democrats joined with 9 Republicans to block the legislation.
In Georgia, a House committee forced the measure to be tabled after they amended the bill to add statewide language that would provide for protection from discrimination for all people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Although the bill could be brought up again, the Georgia legislative session expires on Friday, April 3rd.
