JACKSON, Miss. — At a leafy college campus in north Mississippi and an upscale dinner club in New York, groups are protesting a Mississippi law that opponents say could sanction discrimination against gays and lesbians.
The Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed by Republican Governor Phil Bryant in April, and becomes law July 1.
The law says government cannot put a substantial burden on religious practices without a compelling reason.
It does not mention gays or lesbians, but critics fear it will provide justification for business owners who oppose homosexuality to refuse services to same-sex couples.
One protest is expected Saturday when the governor speaks at the University of Mississippi’s graduation in Oxford. Organizer Kevin Cozart said he has distributed more than 350 lapel stickers with a rainbow-striped map of Mississippi and a quote from the university creed: ‘‘I believe in respect for the dignity of each person.’’
Cozart is a graduate student and former adviser to UM Pride Network, a group that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.
He said students, faculty members, and some administrators have requested stickers to express low-key opposition to the law.
‘‘People that I didn’t expect to get involved are asking for stickers,’’ Cozart said.
Bryant spokeswoman Nicole Webb said she does not expect the protest to be disruptive.
‘‘The students and the families at the university have always been hospitable, and we expect they would continue to be,’’ she said.
A second protest is June 13, when chefs from Mississippi and other places will participate in the Big Gay Mississippi Welcome Table at City Grit, a private dinner club in New York.