The passage of House Bill 1523 continues to shine a bad light on the entire state of Mississippi and its residents. The New York Mississippi Society decided to cancel the 37th annual Mississippi in New York picnic, which was planned for June 12 in New York’s Central Park.

The reason for calling off the picnic was the Society was informed that several groups were going to demonstrate and protest the passage of HB1523. The Society released a statement saying they were standing up for “Mississippians.”

How ironic that Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and other politicians from our state attended the picnic annually. The picnic has been used to showcase Mississippi for its food, hospitality, art and to educate people why they should visit the Magnolia State.

More than 5,000 people were invited to this year’s picnic, which would have had a theme of “Nothing but the Blues,” a tribute to B.B. King. Last year’s picnic also drew some protest from the LGBT community after the Legislature and the governor passed the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”

The passage of HB1523 will continue to cause issues within out state. Numerous concerts have been canceled and even governors of other states have called for a ban on travel to Mississippi.

Mississippians deserve better than this and our great state has worked tirelessly to repair the tarnished reputation that has stained this state for so long.