STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Georgia Governor Set to Veto Controversial Anti-LGBT Religious Liberty Bill

ATL really is the city too busy to hate.

Finally!

Governor Nathan Deal spoke in a press conference where he announced that he plans to veto the “Religious Liberty” bill in the state of Georgia. This announcement reportedly came after many corporations threatened to sever ties with the state if this bill was passed.

If you are unaware of the Religious Liberty bill that was passed earlier this month, here’s a quick refresher:

The Religious Liberty Bill was created as a way to protect religious freedoms of individuals an businesses. Basically, the bill is a way for religious officials to not be required to “perform marriage ceremonies in violation of their legal right to free exercise of religion.” However, the bill is also a way for business owners to deny goods and services to patrons they feel believe go against their religious beliefs.

Essentially, it is a way for people to legally discriminate against people of the LGBT community, which is why it is more popularly known as the Anti-LGBT bill.

Remember Rowan County, Kentucky, clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples? Well, this bill serves to protect people like Davis when they deny rights to LGBTQ citizens.

After the original passing of the bill, companies such as Disney and AMC Networks urged the governor to veto the legislation.

It is reported that Georgia annually receives $1.7 billion in spending from the various film and television productions that take place in the state.

It was probably a combination of cultural controversy as well as the pressure from major corporations that forced the governor to veto the bill.

Thank God! 

(Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

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