Mississippi LGBT law being argued in federal appeals court

Jackson, Miss. (AP) — A federal appeals court is hearing arguments about a Mississippi law that would let merchants and government employees cite religious beliefs to deny services to same-sex couples.

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves halted the law before it could take effect last July, ruling it unconstitutionally establishes preferred beliefs and creates unequal treatment for LGBT people.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments Monday about the Mississippi law in Lubbock, Texas.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and other supporters say the law protects beliefs that marriage can be between only a man and a woman, and that a person's gender is determined at birth and cannot be changed.

Gay and straight plaintiffs who sued the state say the law gives "special protections to one side" in a religious debate.

By Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press. Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The Gayly – April 3, 2017 @ 7 a.m.