Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a controversial bill into law Tuesday, one that many say will allow discrimination against LGBT people.

House Bill 1523, authored by House Speaker Phil Gunn, R-Clinton, allows businesses and government workers to deny products and services based on religious beliefs, including opposition to same-sex marriage.

Bryant said he signed the law "to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, organizations and private associations from discriminatory action by state government or its political subdivisions."

The bill "merely reinforces the rights which currently exist to the exercise of religious freedom as stated" in the First Amendment, Bryant said in his statement, posted on Twitter Tuesday afternoon.

Bryant charged that the bill "does not limit any constitutionally protect rights or actions of any citizen" in Mississippi, nor does it "attempt to challenge federal laws, even those which are in conflict with the Mississippi Constitution."

The bill was advanced to Bryant's desk after a Republican-controlled Mississippi voted 70-47 on Monday.