NATCHEZ — In Natchez, we welcome all.

That is the message the Natchez Board of Aldermen sent Tuesday when it voted 5-1 to pass a resolution stating the city opposes the recently passed House Bill 1523 that protects workers who cite religious beliefs in denying services to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Mayor Butch Brown presented the resolution, similar to one passed in Biloxi, to the board, saying he felt the city needed to speak “loudly and firmly” of Natchez’s commitment to diversity and hospitality.

The resolution states the city “understands, appreciates and celebrates that the Constitution of the United States of America prohibits governments from making laws ‘respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise, thereof’ (and) guarantees to all persons ‘equal protection of the laws’ and does not allow discrimination in any form against any person.”

The resolution also states the city does not “sanction or tolerate discrimination against its citizens or visitors and seeks to preserve and protect the rights of all individuals regardless of religion or identity.”

A television crew with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation filmed the passage of the resolution. Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Smith, who voted for the resolution, said after the meeting she thinks it is important for Natchez to send a message regarding the bill.

“Natchez, which is a diverse community, has a history of exceptional hospitality, welcoming all to come and spend time here, and we want to make sure the world understands that,” she said.

Ward 5 Alderman Mark Fortenbery voted against the resolution.

Fortenbery said after the meeting though he does not harbor judgment against gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people, the resolution does not align with his beliefs.

Statewide, more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers are calling for repeal of the law.

But, the effort to repeal the law is unlikely to succeed because filing a new bill this late in a legislative session requires a high margin of support in a Legislature in which Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers.

A week after Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1523, Democratic Rep. Jay Hughes of Oxford said Tuesday that he will try to undo the measure before it becomes law July 1.

“Our public schools in Mississippi are on life support,” Hughes said during a Capitol news conference with other Democrats. “Access to health care in Mississippi and adequate health care is on life support. Our roads and bridges are crumbling. The economy is struggling…. And somehow we seem focused on passing a bill that will kill our economy.”

Several states and cities have banned travel to Mississippi and rock singer Bryan Adams canceled a concert in the state this week to protest the bill that they say promotes discrimination. Ninety-five Mississippi authors, including Natchez’s Greg Iles, John Grisham and Donna Tartt, signed a letter Monday calling for repeal.

Mississippi is among approximately 10 states considering bills this year in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision last summer that effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. In Louisiana Tuesday, a lawmaker’s proposal aimed at protecting clergy and churches from being forced to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies will advance to the full House for debate. Georgia’s Republican governor vetoed a bill after big businesses said it would hurt the state.

Supporters of the Mississippi bill say it is designed to protect people from violating their own deeply held religious beliefs that marriage should only be between a man and a woman; that sexual relations should only occur in such a marriage; and that a person’s sex is determined at birth and is unchangeable.

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.