Kansas And South Dakota Consider ‘Licenses To Discriminate’ Against Same-Sex Couples

[n2doc]

With court decisions knocking down the same-sex marriage bans in Utah and Oklahoma, other states with bans are considering more creative ways of making sure marriage equality isn’t recognized. Both Kansas and South Dakota have proposed bills that would create a blanket “license to discriminate,” inviting anyone in the respective state to use religious beliefs as a legitimate reason to refuse service to same-sex couples.

In South Dakota, Senate Bill 67 would allow businesses and individuals to ignore any marriage that they simply don’t agree with:

No person or any personal business may be required to provide services, accommodations, facilities, goods, or privileges for a purpose related to the solemnization, formation, or celebration of any marriage, or treat any marriage as valid for any purpose if such action would cause any such person or personal business to violate the person’s sincerely held religious beliefs.

Though the language seems to focus on wedding ceremonies, the last phrase, “or treat any marriage as valid for any purpose,” suggests that this legislation would allow any business to discriminate against any married couple for any purpose. Notably, the bill does not specify “same-sex” anywhere, thus it could conceivably also be used to discriminate against any kind of marriage, including interfaith and interracial couples.

more

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/01/27/3206901/kansas-south-dakota-licenses-discriminate-sex-couples/

[Tippy]

1. OMG this is just to stupid for words

[dickthegrouch]

2. Not "any business" but "personal business"

I wonder what a "personal business" is?

Toto we're not going to Kansas any more

[dbackjon]

3. Arizona is doing the same

Fucking bigots

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Hey look at us in Oklahoma...we are trying to do away with marriage all together!

That'll learn them uppity gays!

There are soon to be lots of noseless people in OK.

[Thav]

5. Wouldn't this violate the 1st amendment

if I were an atheist and wanted to be a bigot? This law says I would have to have religion in order to discriminate, and the constitution says it doesn't support the establishment of religion!

Yes, I know the whole this is stupid, but I'm arguing semantics now.