Discrimination now LEGAL in Arkansa!
New bill leaves LGBT community open to discrimination, legally.
(Photo: Texarkana Gazette)
Arkansas’ appalling attempt to ban anti-discrimination ordinances from including sexual orientation and gender identity has just become law.
Earlier this month, the House of Representatives in Arkansas voted overwhelmingly in favor of Senate Bill 202 which states: “A county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance, resolution, rule, or policy that creates a protected classification or prohibits discrimination on a basis not contained in state law.”
The law essentially states that counties or cities can no longer pass municipal protections for any class of people not listed as a protected class by the state.
Since inception of this law, workers have been left without protection as the state of Arkansas does not recognize discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, decided not to veto the bill stating, “As governor, I recognize the desire to prevent burdensome regulations on businesses across the state. However, I am concerned about the loss of local control. For that reason, I am allowing the bill to become law without my signature.”
Before SB202 was passed, Democrat Clarke Tucker issued a warning, “If we pass this legislation, we will be sending a message that we are out of step with corporate culture today in 2015.”
Ex-US President Bill Clinton – the former governor of Arkansas – and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin have both been accused of failing to speak out against SB202 by gay journalist and talk show host Michelangelo Signorile.
-by Sarah Furlong
