<b>Missouri</b> Gubernatorial Candidates Face Each Other in <b>Branson</b> Forum

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BRANSON MO NEWS: The candidates for governor of Missouri squared off in a debate Friday at Chateau on the Lake in Branson. It was sponsored by the Missouri Press Association. The candidates were asked about several topics, including whether or not they support legislation that would bar government penalties against certain institutions and businesses that cite religion while declining to provide wedding-related services to same sex couples and how they feel about adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s nondiscrimination ordinance. Independent candidate Lester Turilli said he supports the legislation protecting businesses against government penalties. He said businesses and institutions should be able to perform duties “that are innate to that particular denomination.” He said he’s against adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s nondiscrimination ordinance because he thinks that would make discrimination “more prevalent in our state.” Green Party candidate, Don Fitz said, “there’s been way too much discrimination” and “entirely too much hate in Missouri politics and United States politics over the last several years.” He said any sort of law that would allow discrimination because of a person’s sexual orientation should be banned in Missouri. And he said there is “absolutely …