Updated list: People, businesses, universities oppose HB 1523

The president of the University of Southern Mississippi said he was "happy to confirm the University's continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion," in response to the law that will allow public and private services to be denied to gay individuals and couples based on religious beliefs.

In a statement sent to the university community, President Rodney Bennett said, "The Executive Committee of the University's Faculty Senate has asked if I would reaffirm our institutional nondiscrimination policy in light of recent legislation impacting our state. In addition, the University's Student Government Association has indicated that their senators are drafting a related resolution.

I am happy to confirm the University's continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion, as our path to the top includes a broad spectrum of diverse individuals who challenge each of us to be our best selves and to carry out the mission and vision of The University of Southern Mississippi."

The following have taken a stance against the bill:

PUBLIC FIGURES

State Rep. Jeramey Anderson, D-Escatawpa

State Rep. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis

State Sen. Deborah Dawkins, D-Pass Christian

State Rep. Scott Delano, R-Biloxi

Biloxi Mayor Andrew "FoFo" Gilich

Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran

State Rep. Sonya Williams-Barnes, D-Gulfport

CELEBRITIES

Lance Bass

Michael Ian Black

Andy Cohen

Ellen Degeneres

John Fugelsang

Josh Gad

Chad Lowe

Alyssa Milano

Kal Penn

Adam Shankman

Elijah Wood

NATIONAL COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

AT&T

Caesars Entertainment, parent company of Harrah's in Biloxi

Chevron

Choice Hotels International

Continental Tire

Dow Chemical

The French Townhouse

Entergy

General Electric

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Hard Rock Casino Biloxi

Hewlett Packard Enterprises

Hyatt Hotels

IBM

Levi Strauss & Co

Mass Mutual

Microsoft

MGM Resorts, parent of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino

Nissan North America

Pepsico Inc.

Planned Parenthood Southeast

Salesforce

Southern Poverty Law Center

Toyota

Tyson Food Inc.

Whole Foods

Yelp

STATE ORGANIZATIONS

ACLU of Mississippi

Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi

Human Rights Campaign Mississippi

National Association of Social Workers, Mississippi Chapter

Mississippi Democratic Party

Mississippi Economic Council

Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association

Mississippi Manufacturers Association

Mississippi Restaurant & Hospitality Association

Mississippi State University

Mississippi University for Women

Millsaps College

University of Southern Mississippi

University of Mississippi

LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Amy Lynn Photography & Design

Ann Madden Photography + Design

Antique Maison in Bay St. Louis

Art En Noir in Pascagoula

Artsy Fartsy

Avalon Announcements

Back Bay Mission

Bay Books

Bay Emporium

Bay Town

Bay Travel

Bayou Motors in Waveland

Bayou Vending in Waveland

Bella Mar

Biloxi Little Theatre

Bizzee Bee

Bonner Collection

BR Studios and Designs

Buddyrow Creative

Casa Verde Vacation Rental

Cat Island Excursions

Charisma "A Girl's Best Outfit"

Cheeky Monkey Cake Company

Corazon Artisan Jewelry

Dane's Barber Ship

Devmusic Company

Diana Odom Photography

Edward Madden Woodworks

Ellis Law Firm

Evolution Leisure

Evolution Soccer

Exclusive Taxi

Flair in Bay St. Louis

Fleur de Lis Bakery

French Kiss Pastries

French Potager

Front Beach Cottages

Fun Time USA

GC Vapors

Ghost Agency

Gourmet Galley

Grant's for Her

Grant's Menswear

Greenhouse on Porter

The Guice Agency

Gulf Coast Tattoo Co.

Identity Vintage

Irish Coast Pub in Gulfport

Jaimee Designs Web Studio

Jennifer Kelly Financial

Jester's Wine & Spirits

Just Us Lounge

Kristian Higginbotham, hairstylist in Ocean Springs

Koerber Law Firm

Law Offices of Judy M Guice, PA

Leather & Pearls in Ocean Springs

LuLu's Gift Shop in Bay St. Louis

Maggie May's in Bay St. Louis

Magnolia Antiques

MashaWorks Solutions

Mattress by Appointment in Gautier

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce

Mississippi Center for Justice

Mockingbird Cafe

Murky Waters Blues & BBQ

Nettles Pottery

Odom Creative

Peter Grant Clothiers

Prep by KUG in Ocean Springs

Photography by Fred Salinas

Photography by Malissa May

PrescriptFit Medical Nutrition Theraphy & Weight Loss Plan

Prime Time Agency

Purple Banana

Real Estate Professionals of the South

Rochelle Harper Band

S&J Autos in Bay St. Louis and Biloxi

Sekul's Pool Service LLC

Seymour Law Firm

Sister Swank Boutique in Long Beach

Smith & Lens in Bay St. Louis

Social Chair

Southern Bound Book Shop

Starfish Cafe

Steve Andrews Salon

Sun Herald

Sycamore House

Tailgaters Sports Pub & Grill in Biloxi

Take Two Video Pro

The Swap Shop

Third Coast Costume

Tired Dog Rescue

Trapani's

Truck City of the Gulf Coast in Bay St. Louis

Two Generations Beauty Salon

Twisted Anchor Tattoo Gallery

Unabridged Architecture

Unforgettable Travel

William Carey University

Wood Arts

W.P. Shelton Jewelers

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 12:09 PM with the headline "Updated list: People, businesses, universities oppose HB 1523."