FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- The Kentucky State Senate is advancing a bill that would allow businesses and churches to refuse services to gay, lesbian or transgender clients in the name of protecting religious beliefs.
The bill comes after the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission ordered a Christian T-shirt company to get diversity training for refusing to print shirts for a gay pride festival. A state judge overturned the order, but an appeals court is reviewing the case.
The bill is the latest effort of lawmakers in some states to undermine the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last summer that effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The Georgia legislature is also considering similar legislation, and the Missouri legislature is even considering amending its state constitution to protect businesses who decline to provide goods or services for same-sex marriage ceremonies or celebrations.
The bill comes after the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission ordered a Christian T-shirt company to get diversity training for refusing to print shirts for a gay pride festival. A state judge overturned the order, but an appeals court is reviewing the case.
The bill is the latest effort of lawmakers in some states to undermine the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last summer that effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The Georgia legislature is also considering similar legislation, and the Missouri legislature is even considering amending its state constitution to protect businesses who decline to provide goods or services for same-sex marriage ceremonies or celebrations.