U.S. Judge Hears Arguments Over Mississippi Anti-LGBT Law

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A professor says Mississippi is the only state to enact a law listing specific religious beliefs to be protected in reaction to the legalization of same-sex marriage.

UCLA law professor Douglas NeJaime testified Thursday during a federal court hearing in Mississippi. A judge is considering two lawsuits that seek to block House Bill 1523 from becoming law July 1.

The bill protects three beliefs: That marriage should only be between a man and a woman, that sex should only take place within such a marriage and that a person’s gender is set at birth.

Attorneys trying to block the law argue it violates the Constitution by preferring certain religious beliefs and by creating unequal treatment of gay people.

State attorneys argue it provides reasonable protection for sincere beliefs.