PoliticsPoliticsreligious freedom

Arkansas Senate Passes Religion Bill Called Anti-Gay

Arkansas Senate Passes Bill Called Anti-Gay
Reuters
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(Adds Walmart comment)

By Jon Herskovitz

March 27 (Reuters) - The Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly approved on Friday a Republican-backed bill whose authors say is intended to protect religious freedoms but critics contend could allow businesses to refuse service to gay people.

The Republican governor of Indiana signed into law a similar "religious freedom" bill on Thursday, prompting protests from human rights groups and criticism from some business leaders.

The bill advancing in the Republican-led Arkansas legislature says "governments should not substantially burden the free exercise of religion without compelling justification."

Supporters say a business should not be forced to, for example, cater a same-sex wedding if doing so would violate the religious beliefs of the owner.

Two of the most powerful companies in the United States, retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc, which has its home office in Arkansas, and technology giant Apple Inc have criticized the measure.

"We feel this legislation is counter to this core basic belief of respect for the individual and sends the wrong message about Arkansas, as well as the diverse environment which exists in the state," a Walmart spokesman said in a statement.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, referring to the measures in the two states, said in a tweet: "Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana's new law and calling on Arkansas Gov. to veto the similar HB1228."

The measure passed the Arkansas House in February by a comfortable margin and now goes back to it for consideration of amendments in the Senate version. Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, has said he would sign the measure into law.

A U.S. judge last year struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage but the decision has been put on hold pending appeals. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz and Steve Barnes; Editing by Sandra Maler & Kim Coghill)

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Before You Go

10 Incredible Improvements For LGBT People Since The First State Legalized Gay Marriage
Massachusetts Becomes The First(01 of10)
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Massachusetts became the first state to welcome gay marriages in 2004. Since then, 17 states and Washington, DC have followed their lead and now allow same-sex couples to tie the knot. (credit:Darren McCollester via Getty Images)
Increase In Support Of Marriage Equality(02 of10)
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Only 37 percent of Americans supported marriage equality for same-sex couples in in 2003. Now, in 2014, 59 percent of individuals support this right. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)
DOMA(03 of10)
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The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed in 1996, barring same-sex couples from marrying at the federal level. The Supreme Court struck down the core of this legislation in 2013, ensuring 1,100+ federal protections for gay couples. (credit:AP)
Protections For Transgender Minors(04 of10)
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Serve Openly In The Military(07 of10)
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President Barack Obama signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in September 2011, reversing President Bill Clinton's 1993 legislation that barred lesbians and gays from serving openly in the military. Transgender individuals, however, are still not allowed to openly reveal their gender identity while serving. (credit:Jose Fernando Ogura/Curitiba/Brazil via Getty Images)
Opposition: No Longer Relevant(08 of10)
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Anti-gay organizations such as the National Organization for Marriage and Family Research Council are becoming increasingly silent and slowly losing funding. The Catholic Church has also begun to show a shifting away from anti-gay attacks, particularly with Pope Francis' iconic "Who am I to judge?" proclamation. (credit:Franco Origlia via Getty Images)
Hospital Visitation Rights(09 of10)
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