The Kansas City Star has published a blistering editorial demanding the Missouri legislature kill a bill that would allow individuals and businesses to use religious beliefs to refuse services to same-sex couples.
"If passed it will assuredly do great harm," the newspaper's editorial board writes, noting similar bill passed in Indiana — which was later tweaked after massive protests — cost the city of Indianapolis $75 million in business.
"The law specifically mentions wedding services, like cake decorating and flower arrangements, but can also be interpreted to include housing, adoption and health care services," The Star says.
"The economic and emotional damage to the state would be gargantuan."
The legislation, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Bob Onder "is a backlash against last year's Supreme Court amendment legalizing same-sex marriage," according to the newspaper.
"It's a favor to outside groups that want to pass discriminatory 'religious liberties' bills nationwide."
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