Tennessee: GOP lawmakers introduce bill to legalize discrimination

A bill has been introduced in the Tennessee state Senate that would write into law the ability for anyone to refuse service to another person if they felt it would "violate" their religious beliefs.


The bill - SB 2566 - states that “protecting the free exercise of religion is a government interest of the highest order,” and “laws that protect the free exercise of religious beliefs regarding marriage will encourage private citizens and institutions to demonstrate tolerance of others’ beliefs.”

Here's just part of the legislation:

No person or religious or denominational organization shall be required to perform any of the following actions related to, or related to the celebration of, any civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by this state, if doing so would violate the sincerely held religious beliefs of the person or religious or denominational organization regarding sex or gender:

(A) Provide any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges;

(B) Provide counseling, adoption, foster care, or other social services;

(C) Provide employment or employment benefits; or

(D) Solemnize a civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by this state.

So, if you are in a same-sex marriage, be prepared for folks to refuse any kind of service, job or accommodations.

Kansas and Idaho are also in the process of similar laws, with more states lining up as marriage equality continues it's momentum.

(source)