New York State And Seattle City Workers Banned From Mississippi Travel

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York state has banned non-essential state-funded travel to Mississippi after that state’s governor signed a law allowing religious groups and some businesses to refuse service to gay couples.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the ban Tuesday, the same day Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed the measure, which supporters say will protect those who have religious objections to same-sex marriage. Opponents to the measure say it’s intolerant and will lead to discrimination.

Last week Cuomo, a Democrat, banned state-funded travel to North Carolina after lawmakers there blocked anti-discrimination protections for gay, lesbian and transgender people.

In a statement, Cuomo said the Mississippi law is a “sad, hateful” measure and that he will not allow any official state travel to that state until the law is repealed.
Seattle’s mayor has barred the use of city funds for employee travel to Mississippi after their governor signed a law allowing religious groups and some private businesses to refuse service to gay couples based on beliefs.

Mayor Ed Murray signed the executive order Tuesday. He signed a similar order last week banning travel to North Carolina and said he’d continue to act if other states go this route.

Murray says the city of Seattle will not stand by idly while discriminatory laws are enacted because such laws stand to threaten equity victories in Seattle and elsewhere.

Categories: Local News

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