In an open letter shared by the LGBT advocacy organization Human Rights Campaign, the 38 filmmakers, writers, and actors urged Deal to veto the bill, which they say would “sanction discrimination against LGBT people and others in Georgia”. Other large media companies have voiced their opposition to the bill (but didn’t threaten to boycott the state), including Viacom, Time Warner, Starz, and AMC.
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The bill, which was passed by the state’s Republican-controlled state legislature, would give faith-based organizations in Georgia the option to deny services to gay people.
He has until May 3 to decide whether or not to sign the measure into law.
Georgia has become a hotbed for Hollywood productions over the past decade because of its abundance of tax credits for TV and film productions. But if the governor signs off, Disney and Marvel, who consider themselves “inclusive companies”, have indicated that they’ll take their movie business elsewhere, even if it means disrupting production on Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 and Avengers: Infinity War. In the last fiscal year, at least 248 productions were shot in Georgia, injecting at least $1.7 billion into the state’s economy.
The Walt Disney Co. and its Marvel subsidiary threatened Wednesday to stop film production in Georgia if the governor signs a controversial “religious liberty” bill into law – which would be a major blow to the state’s burgeoning film industry.
If it were signed into law, the Free Exercise Protection Act could undermine Georgia’s intense effort to entice more Hollywood companies to do business in the state. The average salary for someone employed by a film company in Georgia is roughly $84,000, which is 75 percent higher than the average salary of all jobs in the United States. If it becomes law, the proposed legislation would have the effect of beefing up legal safeguards for opponents of same-sex marriage.
Pinewood Group, based in Iver Heath, England, said in a statement that the company “actively promotes equal opportunities and diversity in the workplace”. It called on the governor to veto the legislation.
They included AMC’s hit zombie TV series The Walking Dead, Disney’s Ant-Man film and Lionsgate Entertainment Corp’s Allegiant movie.
“We have plans in place to begin filming Lee Daniels’ new film in Georgia later this year, but will move the production if this unlawful bill is enacted”, the company said in a statement.
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Opponents fear that bill will excuse discrimination, especially against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people.
