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Celebrities, Businesses, News Outlets, and Others Create Waves in Opposition to Georgia's FADA

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How much backlash do Georgia legislators need before they stop pushing legislation that would allow discrimination against LGBT Georgians in the name of religion? You’d think with 400 plus companies and influential CEO’s opposing HB 757 and similar bills they’d be done with it already.

Nonetheless, HB 757 (the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), which would allow businesses, taxpayer funded organizations, and individuals ignore laws that conflict with their views of marriage) has not been declared dead. The bill has passed the Senate and could be brought up on the House floor at any time.

The national spotlight on Georgia got brighter on Saturday when The New York Times wrote a stinging editorial calling out HB 757 for what it is: a bill that “shields discrimination against gays.” The editorial is spot on. It notes:

One of the most alarming bills comes out of Georgia, where state lawmakers have cobbled together a dangerous piece of legislation that would prohibit the government from punishing anyone or anything — individuals; businesses; and nonprofit groups, including those that receive taxpayer funds — for discrimination, so long as they claim it was based on their religious views of marriage.

And then on Sunday, it became clear that HB 757 and similar bills were triggering international embarrassment for the state. The Guardian wrote about the coalition of 400 companies that are fighting “religious freedom bills” in the state and noted that HB 757 has “raised serious concerns among state lawmakers, business owners, the faith community and activists.” 

Indeed, tallying the business leaders, faith leaders, editorial boards, and celebrities opposing HB 757 is getting difficult because there are just so many. Georgia Prospers has organized a truly impressive list of businesses that are “committed to a prosperous Georgia that welcomes all people.” And, of course, many business leaders are also speaking out on their own.

Marc Benioff of Salesforce gets a huge amount of credit for his leadership in this fight. He has spoken out on national television and taken to Twitter to fight back against HB 757.

Businesses and Business Leaders

Celebrities

And many others.

Conservatives

Maria Flores

Opportunity.US

Joe Whitley

Conventions

DragonCon

 

Add yourself to the list of HB 757 opponents. Tell your legislator to oppose Georgia's FADA bill, then take to Twitter to tweet your opposition. You'll be in good company.

Follow Maggie Garrett online at @maggiefgarrett 

Maggie Garrett