National LGBT Bar Association Launches Project to Track Impact of Mississippi Anti-Gay Law
 
LGBT Bar will Partner with Local Student Groups to Document Discrimination
 

April 11, 2014—The National LGBT Bar Association announced today that it has launched an online reporting tool to combat Mississippi’s so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” The Act, signed by the state’s Governor earlier this month, bans the government from putting a substantial burden on the practice of religion, but can easily lead to state sanctioned discrimination against the LGBT community.
 
“The Bar is taking the first step in combating this prejudicial law,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of The LGBT Bar. “By partnering with our law student members to document instances of discrimination, we will understand the real-world impact of the law and be better equipped to advocate for the LGBT community.”
 
The LGBT Bar is working with local law student OUTlaw groups to gather personal instances in which LGBT individuals have experienced discrimination due to the new legislation. Individuals are encouraged to log onto LGBTBar.org/what-we-do/programs/MS and report their experience. The Bar and OUTlaw will document those stories, and provide information on next steps, when appropriate. 

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The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal organizations. The association promotes justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.