(Screenshot via YouTube)

Michael Sam spoke out against Missouri’s religious freedom bill, which would protect businesses who deny services to same-sex couples, on Wednesday.

According to the Associated Press, Sam addressed about 80 people at a rally against the legislation at the Capital Rotunda. He said the bill is “the opposite of respect and it is the opposite of equality.”

“It does not reflect the Missouri I know,” Sam told the crowd.

Sam spoke with ACLU while protesting the bill and explained why he’s standing against the bill.

“Missouri is my home. It’s so important to speak about this issue and stopping SJR39 from passing in the house. If this does pass, I think this will be a great loss for the LGBT community in the state of Missouri,” Sam told ACLU.

Sam continued that when he came out he felt welcomed by University of Missouri and the state, but the bill would undo all that progress.

“Everybody was looking at Missouri as ‘Wow, that coach, that team, that state has my kid’s best interests at heart. I’m going to send my kid to Missouri because there’s a safe haven.’ Now it doesn’t seem so safe anymore.”

Voting on the measure was scheduled for Wednesday evening, but Chairman of the House Emerging Issues Committee, Elijah Haahr, announced that voting can now be expected on Monday.