Federal Judge Blocks Mississippi Religious Objections Law

July 1, 2016
4:27 AM ET
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A federal judge blocked a Mississippi law on religious objections to same-sex marriage moments before it was set to take effect Friday, ruling it unconstitutionally establishes preferred beliefs and creates unequal treatment for gay people.

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves wrote that the title, text and history of the law show it is "the state's attempt to put LGBT citizens back in their place" in response to last summer's Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage nationwide.

"In physics, every action has its equal and opposite reaction," Reeves wrote. "In politics, every action has its predictable overreaction."

State attorneys are expected to appeal his ruling, which came overnight in response to two lawsuits filed by gay and straight plaintiffs.

http://www.npr.org/2016/07/01/484284365/federal-judge-blocks-mississippi-religious-objections-law