Conservative Leader Praises Mississippi's Anti-LGBT Law

The leader of a national conservative group is praising Gov. Phil Bryant for "extraordinary courage" in signing a law that allows religious groups and some private businesses to deny services to gay and transgender people.

Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint, a former Republican U.S. senator from South Carolina, hailed his fellow Republican on Wednesday, writing that "to protect religious liberty in his state, he stood up against corporate bullies and leftist pressure groups."

DeMint says the law that Bryant signed Tuesday will prevent state and local governments from punishing businesses that don't want to actively participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies.

The Heritage Foundation leader says it's wrong to view the bill as "anti-gay" or "discriminatory" and is urging other states to follow Mississippi's example.