Thompson To Ask DOJ To Sue Mississippi

WASHINGTON, DC (AP) The only Democrat in Mississippi’s congressional delegation is asking the U.S. Justice Department to file a lawsuit to try to block an incoming state law on religious objections to gay marriage.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson says Wednesday that House Bill 1523, which is set to become law July 1, would give people “the explicit right to discriminate against anyone with a lifestyle they disagree with, in the name of religion.”

Thompson is asking U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to file a federal lawsuit against the state over the bill, which was signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant. It would provide legal protection to government employees, religious groups or private businesses that cite religious beliefs to block services to LGBT people who want to marry or adopt children.

A Justice Department response was not immediately available.