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Atlanta Journal and Constitution

Georgia Governor Vetoes Controversial Bill That Drew Ire of Gay Rights Groups and Hollywood

Mar 28, 2016  •  Post A Comment

“Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday vetoed the ‘religious liberty’ bill that triggered a wave of criticism from gay rights groups and business leaders and presented him with one of the most consequential challenges he’s faced since his election to Georgia’s top office,” reports the Atlanta Journal and Constitution.

The story continues, “The legislation, which first surfaced on March 16 and passed both Republican-controlled chambers in hours, would allow faith-based organizations to deny services to those who violate their ‘sincerely held religious belief’ and preserve their right to fire employees who aren’t in accord with those beliefs.”

The article adds that Governor Deal, a Republican, “In stark terms…said earlier this year that he would reject any measure that ‘allows discrimination in our state in order to protect people of faith.’ Rooting his critique in biblical language, he urged fellow Republicans to take a deep breath and ‘recognize that the world is changing around us.’”

The story notes, “The governor…had ample cover from the measure’s critics. Executives from dozens of big-name companies, including Disney, Apple, Time Warner, Intel and Salesforce, called on the governor to veto the bill. The NFL warned it could risk Atlanta’s bid for the Super Bowl and the NCAA hinted it could influence the state’s ability to host championship games. And Deal’s office said two economic development prospects have already abandoned Georgia because of the legislation.

3 Comments

  1. This was purely a money-driven veto, not one dictated by morality. If not threatened with the loss of tens of millions of dollars in revenue for the state and business for the the locals, he would have signed the bill into existence in a heartbeat.

  2. Too many Republican’s in office around the country still have not figured out yet that bigotry based on race, sexual orientation, religion or even political affiliation is wrong. They may make up excuses that faith-based organizations have the right to discriminate against people who allegedly go against their principles, but does that make it morally right? If a church-run business openly says that it has the right to not serve African-American’s, Caucasians, women etc., should a state legislature pass a law to support such loathsome behavior? What if you found yourself on the wrong end of such legislature? It wouldn’t be much fun. Try for once thinking about the other guy and how ignorant attitudes by our politicians are affecting them, and for that matter, all of us.

  3. Et tu, North Carolina?

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