Meridian Mayor Percy Bland makes no bones about his opposition to HB 1523, the bill Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law Tuesday.  

    Bryant signed the bill despite outcries from gay rights groups and major businesses around the state who insist the piece of legislation enables discrimination.

    On the other end of the spectrum, some religious and conservative groups support the measure. The law’s intent is to protect those who believe marriage is between one man and one woman, that sexual relations should take place only occur inside such marriages and that male and female genders are unchangeable.  

    Bland said he felt the new law would not affect business in Meridian.

    “I don’t think the bill will have any impact on the city of Meridian,” Bland said. “I think we’re a very diverse community and I think our business doors will be open to everyone. I can’t go against state law even though I don’t agree with the bill.”

    As Meridian’s first African-American mayor, Bland said diversity is a good thing.

    “Diversity is very good for any community,” he said. “We all have a lot of different views. That is what makes a vibrant community.”

    Bland said the city has a productive LGBT community.

    “We do have some active LGBT people here. A lot of them have been a major part of community for some time,” Bland said.     

    Per Bryant’s signature, the law allows churches, religious charities and private businesses to decline services to people whose lifestyles violate their religious beliefs. Also, individual government employees may opt out, although governments must provide services to those groups.   

    Elic Purvis, proprietor of The Venue, a space for banquets and receptions on 22nd Avenue, fears the law will open the door to discrimination.

    “It’s absolutely discrimination,” Purvis said. “I think that if you are lawfully allowing someone to be prejudiced against someone else because of what they perceive of them, and denying them business without knowing anything about who they are, then there’s no sense in it.”

    Among those protesting the measure Monday in downtown Jackson were the ACLU of Mississippi, Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood Southeast.  

    East Mississippi Development Corp. CEO Bill Hannah was more reserved in his comments on the issue.

    “The governor, Legislature and Mississippi Development Authority have done a lot of good things for the state,” Hannah said. “But as it pertains to this specific piece of legislation, I’m not sure what impact there is going to be.”