Navy ceremony moved over Mississippi anti-gay law objection
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/navy-ceremony-moved-over-mississippi-anti-gay-law-objection/
PORTLAND - The city of Pascagoula in Mississippi has a world-famous shipyard, building vessels for the U.S. military and private companies alike. When the ships are launched, dignitaries of all kinds normally flock for the commissioning ceremonies, but the state's harsh new anti-gay laws may change that.
Last week, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced his decision to have the newly built USS Portland commissioned in its namesake town instead of where it was built, which was the original plan, reports CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland.
The future USS Portland was successfully launched at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula on February 13. It had been scheduled to be christened and commissioned there on May 21.
However, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales canceled the trip after Mississippi enacted legislation criticized as allowing discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.
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