Opposition Mounting Against Georgia's Anti-Gay Religious Exemption Bill

March 26, 2015 - Georgia lawmakers are considering the passage of a so-called "religious freedom" bill that would overturn all existing state and local civil rights ordinances protecting gay and transgender people. However, SB 129 stands to harm Georgians of all backgrounds. A police officer could refuse to work an event for a cause with which he does not agree. A paramedic could deny care to the child of a same-sex couple. A landlord could evict a hardworking single mother. A high school counselor could turn away a teenager struggling to come to terms with his sexuality.

Over 200 clergy have signed a letter denouncing the bill. Rabbi Peter Berg said, "If enacted, we believe this bill would give some the right to harm others, and to do so in the name of religion.  It could have a broad range of harmful consequences from discrimination against gays and lesbians, to individuals claiming religious rights to ignore the laws we already have on the books."

Equality Federation calls on the business community in Georgia, including the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, to speak out now in firm opposition to SB 129.  

The passage of SB 129 could not only potentially put people's lives at risk, it could have a huge economic impact on the state if large companies and conventions choose not to do business there. Despite the threat of losing millions of dollars in convention business and other investment from large companies, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a similar bill into law today. Salesforce has already announced they would stop sending staff to the state for business and that they would begin to ramp down investment in Indiana. Indianapolis's largest convention, GenCon, said they would leave the state. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) also said they would move their convention out of state. The NCAA, which is hosting the Final Four competition in Indiana, said they are going to take the law into consideration for future events.

The following organizations are already threatening to withdraw their conventions from Georgia if SB 129 becomes law: American Society for Higher Education, American Academy of Religion; American Historical Association; German Studies Association; History of Science Society; Philosophy of Science Association; and the Society for Biblical Literature, Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts.

"Religious freedom is an existing constitutional protection we all cherish" said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation, "SB 129 could put businesses and livelihoods at risk. Lawmakers in Georgia should stop this bill so that all Georgians and those who visit and do business in Georgia can be treated fairly and equally under the law."

Equality Federation member Georgia Equality's Executive Director Jeff Graham added, "It is now crystal clear that the intent of this bill is nothing more than creating a vehicle to discriminate against gay and transgender Georgians."