Deirdra Harris-Glover
Staff Writer
I have often said that moving to Mississippi was the first time in my life I ever felt afraid to be myself. The newly passed Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act, formerly known as HB 1523, is something that makes me feel real fear for myself, the kid I raise, and for my community.
I am proud to be a Tiger, but I am also proud of many other things that make me wholly and completely myself, including that I am a queer woman in a fantastic 10-year marriage to the greatest spouse the universe could throw my way.
Governor Phil Bryant has just signed a bill into law that intends to allow Christians—even state employees—to discriminate and deny service to LGBTQ people, but it has farther-reaching implications than that.
The ramifications of this bill are devastating. Setting dress codes and aesthetic standards, reserving sexual relations to a heterosexual MARRIAGE, allowing state employees (and anyone, really) to discriminate against anyone based on any deep religious conviction without penalty. Let’s never forget that some Confederate sympathizers felt that the Abolitionist Movement was anti-scriptural, and held the deep religious conviction that opposing slavery was tantamount to rejecting Christianity. Neo-Confederates claim the Confederate battle flag as an orthodox Christian symbol.
We must remember that religion has often fanned the flames of white supremacy, oppression of women, and other countless indignities to the soul. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone fighting for equity, equality and the right to live freely without fear of reprisal.
Still, I feel hopeful for Mississippi. Not a hope in some grand reversal of harmful click-bait politics, but a realization among the people of Mississippi that our issues, our fates and our futures are entwined. I don’t blame anyone who leaves the state for their comfort or safety, but take a moment before you go and advocate on behalf of the friends you’ll leave behind. Look past the rainbow flag if you must and call out the people who are supportive of the LGBTQ community. Younger people are changing Mississippi’s landscape, and I entrust its future to those who have learned from their elders’ mistakes.
At press time, The Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act has earned calls for repeal by big businesses such as Bomgar, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Toyota, Nissan, AT&T and Hewlett Packard and Intel, as well as state and local agencies. They want no part in state-sanctioned bigotry.
Already the state is facing economic backlash. The Mississippi Picnic in Central Park has canceled what would have been the 37th picnic; Canadian rocker Bryan Adams cancelled his concert; according to the Clarion-Ledger, a group planning to shoot six films in Mississippi has opted for other locations; some of the acts scheduled for the Sun and Sand Film Festival have cancelled. I am sure this will only be the tip of the iceberg for money the state will lose.
The University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, University of Southern Mississippi and Millsaps College have spoken out against this act of legislative marginalization. Mother Teresa once said that “faith in action is love, and love in action is service.
It is my most sincere hope that we at Jackson State University will act from a place of faith, love and service, so students from all backgrounds will feel safe and free to be themselves.
There is an apt meme circulating. The crux of it is this: would you support a Muslim refusing to give a state-required marriage license to a Christian couple because they don’t conform to her religious beliefs? No? Then why is it okay for a Christian to refuse to give a state-required marriage license to a gay man because he doesn’t conform to her religious beliefs? I know, you want to say that marriage is a religious institution, and it might be to YOU–but since the government controls privileges that come with marriage, and since marriage most likely pre-dates your religion anyway, it’s also a civil liberties one. The government cannot force your church to marry anyone, just like your church can’t force the government to refuse.
Okay, I get it, the current issues go WAY beyond marriage. They go to the individual humanity and dignity of every person.
What I have observed is that most discrimination comes from ignorance that leads to fear. Almost everyone I have talked to who is uneasy around transgendered people or the concept of being transgendered does not actually know a transgendered person. The same applies to the people I’ve met who want to deny basic human rights to people who are gay, or (at the other end of the spectrum) people who “hate” anyone who would vote for Mr. Trump. (By the way, have you seen the video about the guys who started out trying to make a mockumentary at Trump rallies and realized they have more in common with the attendees than not in common?)
But underneath every label, quality, or belief that makes me not the same as you, there is one truth: we ARE all alike. We all bleed when cut. We all feel emotions. We all need food, water, and a safe place to sleep. We want to protect our families. We want our children to feel safe. We are not so different, you and I, as we just want to live our lives in peace, not fear.
As a graduate of a fairly conservative state university, I think one of the greatist gifts a university can give to students is the opportunity to meet people from a variety of backgrounds and realize that it IS possible to live together peacefully, even if our disagreements are many. We don’t have to be besties, but you don’t have to fear me or hate me either.
Good luck, Jackson State. I wish you all the best in the continuous creation of of a community built on faith, love, and service.