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City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
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City & County
Anti-Abortion Preachers Take Aim at Blacks, Women and Jayonce
The rate of abortion in the African American community will hasten the downfall of McDonald's, Beyonce and Jay-Z as well as the black press, said several black clergymen who spoke …
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National
U.S. Supreme Court Halts Texas Abortion Law
The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Texas from enforcing key provisions of a 2013 law that would close all but eight of the state’s abortion facilities.
Entry
Rep. Andy Gipson Caves on Gay Marriage; Our Work Here is Done.
By R.L. NaveTwice this week the unthinkable has happened in Mississippi.
First, Ole Miss rallies back and upsets the Crimson Tide.
Now, Republican state Rep. Andy Gipson is acceding on the issue of marriage equality.
Gipson, a Baptist minister and attorney from Braxton, told the Clarion-Ledger for a story today: "I am opposed to same-sex marriage, but I believe the time has come for people of faith in Mississippi to prepare for the overturning of our constitutional ban on it."
Gipson is one of the Legislature's most conservative members, having introduced legislation in recent years aimed at undocumented immigrants and abortion rights—including a (successful) fetal heartbeat bill and a (successful) 20-week abortion ban.
In 2012, Gipson came under fire for referencing Bible passages implying that gay people be put to death. The remarks came in response to President Barack Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage after years of waffling on the question. Gipson called same-sex marriage "horrific social policy," adding:
"Unnatural behavior which results in disease, not the least of which is its high association with the development and spread of HIV/AIDS; 2) Confusing behavior which is harmful to children who have a deep need to understand the proper role of men and women in society and the important differences between men and women, and fathers and mothers; and 3) Undermines the longstanding definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, a definition which has been key to all aspects of social order and prosperity."
Gipson isn't exactly endorsing marriage equality, but the fact that he appears to be telling fellow evangelical conservatives to save their energy fighting gay marriage.
Calling recent federal court decisions affirming gay marriage "the writing on the wall," Gipson said:
“It’s coming. People of religious conviction need to be processing what this means for the culture, and how we will respond to these issues in coming years – how we will maintain our religious convictions in this environment.”
Of course, Gipson is absolutely correct. More people today support marriage equality than don't; this is especially true of young people.
Through a news release, Rob Hill, the Mississippi state director of the Human Rights Campaign and a former pastor said: “Like Rep. Gipson, I am a person of faith, and our faith teaches that we are all God’s children. We also believe in the Golden Rule, to treat others as we would treat ourselves. ... These conversations are not easy and we welcome the opportunity to meet with Rep. Gipson to discuss ways to make our state inclusive for all Mississippians.”
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Politics
Mississippi: The Next Stage for Progressivism?
A lot is changing in my home state, and the change here says much about the South today.
Story
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Story
Politics
Hosemann Twists Voter ID Facts, Again
At last July's Neshoba County Fair, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann upped the ante on the usual GOP talking points of "business good, government bad"; state's rights; Obama's failures.
Story
MPB: Don’t Treat Us Like Children
Once again, Mississippi Public Broadcasting—which receives public dollars—has initiated a form of censorship to keep certain controversial content away from a Mississippi audience.
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State
Inside MPB's Decision on Abortion Film
Mississippi Public Broadcasting Executive Director Ronnie Agnew decided to replace PBS' "POV" documentary series "After Tiller" with other programming due to its controversial nature.
Story
LGBT
Faith Leaders: Do State Politicians Really Follow Christ?
From the rolling back of abortion rights to extolling the virtues of teen abstinence and one-man-one-woman marriage to protecting religious freedom, Mississippi's elected leaders say they are all about spreading …
Story
Fight For Women, Not Against Them
If our politicians are truly concerned about protecting women and children, they should abandon their relentless assault on abortion rights and tackle the real issues facing girls and women in …
Story
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Dangerous'
Gov. Bryant says admitting privileges are vital to women's safety, even as the anti-abortion movement he supports pressures hospitals not to give admitting privileges to doctors who perform abortions so …
Story
Health Care
Abortion Clinic Gets Reprieve; Will It Last?
An effort to close Mississippi's last abortion clinic hit the wall on Tuesday, July 29, when two of three judges on a 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel determined …
Story
Person of the Day
Judge Myron H. Thompson
This morning, Judge Myron H. Thompson, a senior United States District Court judge for middle Alabama, ruled that Alabama's Women's Health and Safety Act is unconstitutional under the premise that …
Story
Judge: Ala. Abortion Clinic Law Unconstitutional
A federal judge says an Alabama law restricting abortion doctors is constitutional.
Story
City & County
10 Local Stories of the Week
There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.
Story
Gunn: Mississippi Republicans Need to Heal Rift
The Mississippi Republican Party needs to heal divisions created by a hard-fought U.S. Senate primary that is still being protested by tea party conservatives, House Speaker Philip Gunn said Thursday.
Story
Immigration
Who Would Jesus Deport?
Religious leaders, political figures and hyperbolic talking heads have yet to reach a consensus on the Bible's application to the issue of immigration in the United States.
Story
Personhood
5th Circuit: Mississippi's Only Abortion Clinic Stays Open
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against a Mississippi law that would have required the state's only abortion clinic to obtain admitting privileges at a local hospital …
