The essence of the bill would allow religious officials to refuse to perform same sex marriages and would let faith-based organizations deny services or employment to people who disagree with their beliefs.
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The measure would allow faith-based groups to decline to hire or give services to people when doing so violates the organizations’ religious beliefs.
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. Disney in particular has been filming its most recent Marvel movies in Georgia; Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War were shot there and the studio is now filming Guardians of the Galaxy 2 in the state. Viacom followed. Time Warner, 21st Century Fox, Lionsgate, Starz and Comcast quickly did as well. Other firms like Apple, Dell, Hilton and Marriott have also spoken out. And Disney and Marvel Studios might fly their next superhero movie off to film in another state.
While many of those media companies remained noncommittal about a Georgia boycott, more than 30 Hollywood heavyweights-including Lee Daniels, Aaron Sorkin, Ryan Murphy and Greg Berlanti-released a letter through the Human Rights Campaign today vowing they will not work in Georgia if the bill passes.
As a Company committed to diversity, inclusiveness and tolerance, we urge the Governor of Georgia to veto the deplorable and regressive legislation (House Bill 757) that has been sent to him.
Representatives from the anti-gun advocacy group Moms Demand Action, along with several legislators, students and campus faculty gathered in the statehouse want Deal to veto the bill already passed by lawmakers.
“Netflix is an inclusive company”, said a spokesperson for the streaming platform. “We strongly urge Governor Deal to exercise his veto”, said Sony Pictures Entertainment in a statement.
Georgia has become a hotbed for Hollywood productions over the past decade because of its abundance of tax credits for TV and film productions. Proponents said the bill, dubbed the Free Exercise Protection Act, would protect religious freedoms.
The NFL said last week that if the bill is signed, Atlanta could lose the opportunity to host any future Super Bowls.
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“Georgia bill HB 757 is in contradiction to this campaign, to the values we hold dear, and to the type of workplace we guarantee to our employees”, Time Warner said in a statement today, Variety reports. “We urge other studios, major corporations, and fair-minded Georgians to continue speaking out and urging Gov. Deal to veto this heinous piece of legislation sitting on his desk”.
