--- title: "Hospitality Association Reacts to Mississippi LGBT Law" id: "32907" type: "post" slug: "hospitality-association-reacts-to-mississippi-lgbt-law" published_at: "2016-04-11T21:08:50+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T15:54:38+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/04/11/hospitality-association-reacts-to-mississippi-lgbt-law/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/04/11/hospitality-association-reacts-to-mississippi-lgbt-law.md" excerpt: "The Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, moving quickly to respond to a new state law that allows businesses to deny service based on religious beliefs, has launched a campaign to help members show their commitment to providing equal service to..." taxonomy_category: - "Conscious Inclusion" taxonomy_post_tag: - "age inclusion" - "AssociationsNow" - "hospitality" - "Leadership" - "LGBTQ" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Hospitality Association Reacts to Mississippi LGBT Law The [Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association (opens in a new tab)](http://www.msra.org/) wants residents and visitors to know that the Hospitality State’s hotels and restaurants are open to all. > We have a very clear and strong message to convey. Mississippi’s restaurant industry is open for everyone’s business. After Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant [signed legislation last week allowing businesses to deny service (opens in a new tab)](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/mississippis-harsh-anti-lgbt-bill-becomes-law.html) to gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals and those in same-sex marriages based on religious beliefs, MHRA moved quickly to mobilize members to send the message that they will serve all customers. “Our industry serves a diverse customer base, and we want to make sure all customers are appreciated and welcomed,” MHRA Executive Director Mike Cashion [said in a news release (opens in a new tab)](http://www.msra.org/uploads/2/2/5/4/22540394/press_release_1523v2.pdf) [PDF]. “Regardless of its intent, this legislation has created a level of controversy and public perception that affects the image of our state and the hospitality community,” he added. MHRA’s [“Everyone’s Welcome Here” campaign (opens in a new tab)](http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/weblogs/politics-blog/2016/apr/07/mississippi-hospitality-restaurant-association-cre/?templates=desktop) is a voluntary effort that will help member organizations make a statement about their commitment to inclusive business practices. The group will provide restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality space with door decals that deliver the message “Everyone’s Welcome Here.” [Participating businesses (opens in a new tab)](http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2016/4/07/mississippi-hospitality-restaurant-association-launch-equality-campaign) will be included in an online directory. The association and members will also publicize the campaign on social networks. “While we may not be able to manage the image and brand of the entire state, we can affect the image of our restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses,” Cashion said. “When our industry is challenged, we, as an organization, will take prudent steps to protect and promote the restaurant and hospitality industry.” “We have a very clear and strong message to convey. Mississippi’s restaurant industry is open for everyone’s business,” he added. [The new law (opens in a new tab)](http://abcnews.go.com/US/mississippis-religious-freedom-bill-sweeping-anti-lgbt-law/story?id=38170420) , officially titled the Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act, goes into effect July 1. (iStock/Thinkstock) [Patrick deHahn](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Patrick deHahn is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/patrick-dehahn/) Tags: [#age inclusion](https://associationsnow.com/tag/age-inclusion/) [#hospitality](https://associationsnow.com/tag/hospitality/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#LGBTQ](https://associationsnow.com/tag/lgbtq/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoCelebrating Black History Month: Hanif Smith Shares His StoryFebruary 1, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/02/01/celebrating-black-history-month-hanif-smith-shares-his-story/) - [PodcastFostering Inclusion and Growth: Mentorship, Networking, and Workforce Development in AssociationsOctober 24, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/24/fostering-inclusion-and-growth-mentorship-networking-and-workforce-development-in-associations/) - [VideoLeading the Way in Neuroinclusion with ASAE Research Foundation and MPIDecember 16, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/16/leading-the-way-in-neuroinclusion-with-asae-research-foundation-and-mpi/) - [VideoUsing DEI to Create Welcoming EnvironmentsAugust 29, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/08/29/using-dei-to-create-welcoming-environments/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F04%2F11%2Fhospitality-association-reacts-to-mississippi-lgbt-law%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !