JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Some Missouri business leaders are forming a coalition against a proposal that would protect some businesses that object to same-sex marriage on religious grounds.
State LGBT advocacy group PROMO announced the coalition hours before a scheduled House hearing on the legislation Tuesday.
More than 60 businesses have joined the group Missouri Competes, including Square and Google Fiber.
The proposed constitutional amendment would ban government penalties against businesses that cite religion while declining goods or services of "expressional or artistic creation" for same-sex weddings.
A St. Louis Regional Chamber official says the measure threatens the state's reputation and could make it difficult for businesses to recruit candidates for jobs.
Legislation in other states to protect those who oppose marriage of same-sex couples has similarly spurred backlash from major employers.
