Residents in Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas are taking matters into their own hands to protect the rights of gay people after the state last month passed a law banning the expansion of anti-discrimination rights and new legislation providing for “religious freedom”
Residents in Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas are taking matters into their own hands to protect the rights of gay people after the state last month passed a law banning local governments from expanding anti-discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
On Monday night, leaders in North Little Rock unanimously voted to revise city policy to state their commitment to fair and equal opportunities regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or marital status.
Meanwhile in Little Rock, businesses are leading the charge against House Bill 1228 which would allow companies to refuse service based on religious principles. Business owners have started posting a small decal (above) that reads "we serve and hire equally" on their front windows.
Ed David, the owner restaurant The Faded Rose, said:
"The only people we discriminate against are bad actors. I know what a bitter feeling it is when somebody turns you away and I just swore I'd never do that."
Republican Rep. and 1228 sponsor Bob Ballinger (above) said that although he is “not in the business of judging other people,” “religious protections are something that's necessary.”
Arkansas is the second state to pass such a measure. Tennessee has a similar law on the books that was passed in 2011.
Watch a report on the Little Rock protest against House Bill 1228, AFTER THE JUMP…
Previously, "Conway, Arkansas Approves LGBT Rights Ordinance Despite Discriminatory New State Law" [tlrd]
