Michael Bowers, former Republican Attorney General and prominent voice in Georgia politics, will speak on Tuesday against House Bill 218 and Senate Bill 129 that would grant individuals and businesses a “license to discriminate” against gay and transgender Georgians.

Excerpts of Bowers’ script for Tuesday have been pre-released, and the former Attorney General takes a firm stance against the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act:

“First, I believe if enacted into law this legislation will be an excuse to practice invidious discrimination.

“Second, if enacted, the proposed [measures] will permit everyone to become a law unto themselves in terms of deciding what laws they will or will not obey, based on whatever religious tenets they may profess or create at any given time. The potential intended and unintended consequences are alarming.”

Bowers fears that the religious exemption will be too broad, re-opening discussion on antiquated laws that remain peculiar in the South, and could even go as far as encouraging participation in radical hate groups.

Although Bowers is well known for upholding anti-gay sodomy laws in the Supreme Court’s 1986 Bowers v. Hardwick decision when he was Attorney General, his current stance against religious exemption bills could show a change of heart—and is a true testament to the bipartisan opposition to this dangerous legislation. We’re grateful that AG Bowers is standing with the majority of Georgians who believe discrimination is wrong—period.

House Bill 218 has not yet received a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, while the Senate Judiciary Committee tabled Senate Bill 129. Attorney General Bowers will address RFRA head on during a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday.