In April 2016, Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1523, also known as the religious objections law. A flurry of lawsuits followed, and that June, a federal court struck down the law moments before it was set to take effect with a blistering verdict that drew parallels between the law and Jim Crow legislation.
Bryant appealed the decision that summer, and one year later, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the controversial law, saying plaintiffs had yet to prove that it had harmed anyone.
Plaintiffs quickly requested a new hearing before a full panel of judges. But on Sept. 29, their request was denied. A few days later the Fifth Circuit also denied plaintiffs request for a stay, finally opening the door—after a tumultuous 18 months—for the bill to take effect in Mississippi.
Here is a look back at Mississippi Today’s reporting on key events:
Gov. Bryant signs controversial religious freedom bill into law
New York’s Mississippi Picnic canceled as response to religious freedom law
NCAA may shut out Mississippi
ACLU suit equates “religious freedom” law to Jim Crow legislation
Mississippi’s ‘religious freedom’ law drafted out of state
Local schools speak up about HB1523, transgender issue
Same-sex marriage judge draws all three ‘religious freedom’ lawsuits
Attorney General’s office drowning in anti-1523 lawsuits
Witness: HB 1523 makes state unsafe for gays
Witness testifies HB 1523 is the Christian right’s challenge to gay freedoms
Federal judge blocks HB 1523
Emails show behind the scenes activity around HB 1523
Gov. Bryant appeals HB 1523 ruling alone, breaking with other defendants
Judge denies governor’s request for a stay on HB 1523
Sanderson Farms says HB 1523 “does nothing but hurt” economy
Bryant slams anti-HB 1523 arguments as ‘false, exaggerated’
Appellate judges in Texas could resurrect Mississippi’s ‘religious freedom’ law
Justices push past passionate arguments in HB 1523 hearing
‘Religious freedom’ law upheld by federal appeals court
Plaintiffs ask full Fifth Circuit to rehear case against HB 1523
HB 1523: Reactions to the decision upholding the religious objections law
In reviewing HB 1523, will Fifth Circuit return to its radical roots?
‘Religious freedom law,’ House Bill 1523, will take effect Oct. 6; appeal planned
HB 1523 ruling spurs federal judge to revisit gay marriage case
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