Business response to religious freedom bill surges statewide

Supporters of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law last week insist it does not authorize businesses to deny service to customers based on religious beliefs.

A group of entrepreneurs has initiated a movement to make clear that they'll take money from anybody willing to spend it.

If You're Buying, We're Selling started in the commercial district of Jackson's Fondren neighborhood last week, and has since spread statewide. The campaign is built around opposition to Senate Bill 2681, which proponents claim would only raise the burden government has to meet before denying someone's right to practice their religious beliefs. Bryant signed the bill, which is similar to federal legislation former president Bill Clinton signed in 1993, April 3.

Its detractors say increasing that burden could open the door for businesses to refuse service to customers whose lifestyles clash with an owner's religion. For example, a bakery owner might decline to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding or commitment ceremony.

Whether that and similar scenarios would become reality were 2681 to become law centerpieced debate on the bill in the House and Senate.

Eddie Outlaw, who owns William Wallace Salon and Fondren Barber Shop, was part of the creative team behind If You're Buying, with Mitchell Moore, who owns Campbell's Bakery in Fondren.

"A lot of us were trying to counter the negative stuff from outside Mississippi," Outlaw said, referring to the national coverage 2681 got while it circulated the Capitol. "We wanted to let people know – not just the LGBT community but the progressive community as a whole – that this doesn't represent everybody here."

To drive that point home, participating businesses will display in their storefront windows a vinyl, sticker-like circle that reads, "We don't discriminate. If you're buying, we're selling."

Social justice and LGBT advocacy group Equality Mississippi is producing the displays. "We've got 500 printed already, and we'll make more when we need them," said Joce Pritchett. "A lot of the interest derives from the Facebook page" that has garnered more than 1,000 likes in a week, she said.

Angie Howarth, the third generation of her family to own Hernando Flower Shop, plans to exhibit the If You're Buying sticker at her entrance. She said she called Bryant's office and urged him not to sign the bill.

"I don't know many people who can pick and choose who they do business with."

To contact Clay Chandler, call (601) 961-7264 or follow @claychand on Twitter.

Businesses participating in If You're Buying, We're Selling, as of April 10

Campbell's Bakery, Jackson

Whitfield-Smith Piano Studio, Jackson

Jackson Square Promenade Mall, Jackson

Rainbow Co-Op/High Noon Café, Jackson

SE Lock and Key, Jackson

Barefield Workplace Solutions, New Albany

Sharla Bachelder with Re/Max, Brandon

Jackson Free Press, Jackson

Karen Sanders Art (located in The Cricket Box), Vicksburg

Laurin Stennis, Ink, Jackson

Steve's Downtown Deli and Bakery, Jackson

Fat Cat Ceramics, Flowood

Blue Daze Bistro, Hernando

Elbow Room: Historic Landmark, Columbus

Smart Clean Pressure Washing, Brandon

High Voltage Vintage, Madison

High Voltage GraphX, Jackson

Light & Glass Studio, Jackson

William Wallace Salon, Jackson

Trim Salon, Jackson

JewerlybyMigon (located via Etsy)

Keg & Barrel, Hattiesburg

Crazy Cat Bakers, Jackson

That Special Touch, Pearl

Fatal Kiss Clothing and Accessories, Clinton

Green Scenes Landscape and Maintenance, Biloxi

In Motion Fitness, Laurel

Millsaps College, Jackson

Soul Wired Café, Jackson

Pritchett Engineering & Planning, Flowood

Oak Grove Endondontics, Hattiesburg

Julep Restaurant & Bar, Jackson

Source: Equality Mississippi