Barber v. Bryant
Lambda Legal joined Barber v. Bryant, the federal challenge to HB 1523, Mississippi’s discriminatory anti-LGBT legislation, which was brought by Mississippi civil rights attorney Robert McDuff and the Mississippi Center for Justice.
Lambda Legal joined Barber v. Bryant, the federal challenge to HB 1523, Mississippi’s discriminatory anti-LGBT legislation, which was brought by Mississippi civil rights attorney Robert McDuff and the Mississippi Center for Justice. The case is consolidated with a similar case, Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) v. Bryant, brought by attorney Roberta Kaplan on behalf of CSE and one individual plaintiff.
HB 1523 invites government officials and private businesses, individuals and some medical and social service agencies to discriminate against Mississippians based on religious and so-called “moral” objections to the existence of transgender people, marriages of same-sex couples and non-marital sexual relationships.
The 11 individuals and church that are plaintiffs in Barber v. Bryant comprise a broad cross-section of Mississippians harmed by HB 1523 – leaders of faith congregations in the state, LGBT residents and others impacted by the discriminatory law in their professional and personal lives. The lawsuit claims HB 1523 violates the Establishment and Equal Protection Clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
- April 2016 HB 1523 is enacted.
- June 2016 Advocates file two lawsuits arguing HB 1523 violates the U.S. Constitution. The two cases are consolidated for the preliminary injunction proceedings before U.S. District Court Judge Carlton W. Reeves, who issues a preliminary injunction preventing HB 1523 from taking effect.
- December 12, 2016 Lambda Legal joins the federal challenge to HB 1523.
- April 3, 2017 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hears arguments on HB 1523. Mississippi civil rights attorney Rob McDuff, along with Mississippi Center for Justice and Lambda Legal, argue that the Court should leave in place the district court injunction against HB 1523.
- June 22, 2017 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reverses injunction against Mississippi House Bill 1523. Lambda Legal and other advocates pledge to continue fighting this discriminatory law.
- July 6, 2017 Mississippi civil rights attorney Rob McDuff, along with the Mississippi Center for Justice and Lambda Legal, file petition seeking rehearing en banc by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
- October 2, 2017 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit denies en-banc petition. Advocates announce intent to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.
- October 10, 2017 Mississippi civil rights attorney Rob McDuff, along with the Mississippi Center for Justice and Lambda Legal ask Supreme Court to strike down HB 1532.
- January 8, 2018: Supreme Court denies to hear case.