Arkansas is about to pass a law which will prevent cities and counties from passing anti-discrimination laws, thereby allowing businesses, employers and landlords to discriminate against LGBT people without having to face prosecution.
According to Republican Bob Ballinger the bill will serve to create uniformity for businesses and citizens, attracting businesses to settle down in Arkansas.
Governor Asa Hutchinson said he would allow the bill to become law by neither signing it nor vetoing it.
Last week a religious-freedom bill was passed which is supposed to assure that small business have the freedom to turn away customers which are not compatible with their religious belief. In most cases so far these customers were LGBT people who wished to purchase flowers or cakes for their wedding.
These are just two examples of the laws which are passed in several US states in order to fight back the decisions of the US supreme court which give LGBT people equal rights.
Update: The bill was signed into law yesterday. It will take another 90 days for it to take effect. Human rights groups intend to file a lawsuit to challenge the bill’s constitutionality.
Sources:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/dominicholden/arkansas-legislature-passes-bill-allowing-lgbt-discriminatio#.jpPQQlV6X
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/13/lgbt-rights-under-fire-oklahoma-arkansas-florida-kansas
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