Metro Atlanta Chamber to push transit, anti-discrimination in ’16

CLICK HERE to read the original article on AJC.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber will make expanding transit, workforce development and heading off laws that might be discriminatory as its top state legislative priorities in 2016.

Those key legislative aims all go toward the chamber’s goals of job growth, improving the state’s business climate and sustaining the region’s quality of life, said outgoing chamber chairman Larry Gellerstedt said during the organization’s annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Atlanta.

This coming election year has already seen heated rhetoric about immigrants, Syrian refugees, a proposal by leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to ban Muslims from entering the country and a continued debate over religious liberty in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage.

Gellerstedt mentioned a proposed religious liberty bill that business leaders helped scuttle last year that critics say could discriminate against gays and lesbians. The chamber has said the bill could hurt Georgia’s reputation and cost jobs.

Gellerstedt said any such bill should have anti-discrimination language.

“To attract people to this city, as great as this city is, we have to have a completely inclusive place where everybody is welcome,” said incoming chamber Chairman and SunTrust executive Jenner Wood. “That benefits not only the citizens of Georgia but it benefits the businesses that need the workers. We won’t tolerate any discrimination. We want to be known as being inclusive.”

Asked about recent debate over Syrian refugees in Georgia and comments by Trump on Muslim travel bans, Gellerstedt said: “Anything that discriminates against any group, we are not going to be for. That will be (our) base and there won’t be waffling on that.”

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Dormant Anti-LGBT RFRA Bill Expected to Revive in Full Force During 2016 Session

December 7, 2015 by admin

Last year, Indiana passed the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to national outcry ranging from the business community, sports organizations, universities, tech giants, and state governors.

Shortly thereafter, Georgia’s RFRA bill stalled out quietly in committee.

Georgia’s RFRA has been dormant since the legislature went on recess in April. But it’s very much still alive and is slated to be one of the biggest legislative battles of 2016.

RFRA Back Twitter

The bill was introduced by Sen. Josh McKoon and would allow someone to use their religious beliefs to deny housing and employment, or refuse service to others.

The Senate passed RFRA without much fanfare in March, after Sen. McKoon fast-tracked the bill through committee process absence feedback from member Democrats.

Now, the legislation sits in the House Judiciary Committee where it was shelved by Republicans after three party members proposed an amendment that would prohibit discrimination.

The proposed non-discrimination amendment was largely viewed as an attempt to hedge public outrage.

Nevertheless, despite the catastrophic blowback to what became known in Indiana as anti-LGBT legislation, Sen. McKoon has been in the media nearly every week since April vowing to make RFRA a number one 2016 priority—and he’s not interested in compromising for non-discrimination clauses.

Already, members of Georgia’s business community are mobilizing in opposition. Two separate studies, commissioned by the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, have found that the proposed “religious liberty” bill could cost the state $2 billion in revenue losses if it passes.

The same studies estimate up to 4,000 jobs could be slashed, particularly in the convention industry, which will be hard-hit when major companies realize they can take their business to neighboring states where all employees are welcome and protected from discrimination under the law.

The legislature resumes session in one month. Click here to send a message to you lawmakers saying you oppose RFRA and urging them to reject this harmful legislation.

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Georgia Could Lose $2 Billion in Revenue if “Religious Liberty” Bill Passes, New Studies Show

November 20, 2015 by admin

Two separate studies commissioned by the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau have found proposed “religious liberty” bill could have sweeping implications for Georgia’s economy—to the tune of $2 billion in lost revenue—if it passes.

Study Twitter
Senate Bill 129 would allow individuals and businesses to use their religious beliefs as an excuse to discriminate against others and refuse service.

The studies examine economic fall-out in other states that have implemented similar legislation and two polls (conducted by Meetings & Conventions and Successful Meetings), which found that about 45 percent of polled convention planners would cancel an event in a city where a law was passed that many of their attendees found offensive.

Katie Kirkpatrick, the chief policy officer for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, said:

We want to send the message that Georgia is a welcoming state. It’s good for economic development, which is good for jobs, which is good for Georgia families. This study … allows all of us to go into the upcoming legislative session with eyes wide open as to what the potential economic risks are if Georgia doesn’t get this right.

The potential economic losses cited in the study are staggering. According to Tom Cunningham, the chief economist for the Metro Atlanta Chamber and author of the study:

All told, the tourism industry is projected to be hardest hit by backlash to discriminatory Senate Bill 129 should it pass. Up to 4,000 jobs are expected to be slashed resulting in $450 million in lost direct spending per year and $400 million in lost business sales.

According to House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) legislators are taking these new studies seriously:

This evidence is important and relevant. This is a serious policy debate that can have far-reaching implications for hardworking Georgians in every corner of this state and will be treated as such.

Both the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau have come out in opposition to the proposed legislation. A similar bill was introduced last year but stalled in committee in the wake of national criticism from business behemoths of a similar bill that passed in Indiana.

Click here to tell your lawmakers to reject SB 129 to keep Georgia fair and open for business to all.

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Studies show billions at risk for Ga. in ‘religious liberty’ fight

November 19, 2015 by admin

Two of Atlanta’s leading business groups say lawmakers have more than a billion reasons not to pass legislation that some believe would allow for discrimination against gay Georgians.

And it’s green, as in dollars.

For the first time, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, both opponents of the “religious liberty” bill now before Georgia’s Legislature, have separately produced studies that show the city and state could see a negative economic impact of $1 billion to $2 billion if Senate Bill 129 passes without civil rights protections. Those studies, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, looked at convention and tourism business, taxes and personal wealth.

Both studies obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution used the impact of similar legislation in other states to come up with estimates for Georgia and Atlanta. The studies not only show the potential losses to the state, but signal that two muscular business organizations are ready to fight the bill when lawmakers return to session in January.

Senate Bill 129, sponsored by state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, passed the Senate this year but ran into a blockade in the House Judiciary Committee, where Republicans joined Democrats to add language making clear the bill cannot be used to legalize discrimination against anyone. Supporters said the amendment gutted the bill and they tabled it.

Passing the bill, known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, without the amendment would be devastating, said Katie Kirkpatrick, the chief policy officer for the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

“We want to send the message that Georgia is a welcoming state,” Kirkpatrick said. “It’s good for economic development, which is good for jobs, which is good for Georgia families. This study … allows all of us to go into the upcoming legislative session with eyes wide open as to what the potential economic risks are if Georgia doesn’t get this right.”

McKoon questioned the studies’ validity coming, as they do, from opponents of his bill.

“I suppose that if we had the money we could go hire an economist who could dream up some fantasy where RFRA would make us money,” he said. “This is just absurd.”

It’s important, McKoon said, to understand his bill is different from one that passed in Indiana. The original Indiana legislation allowed florists, bakers or other businesses to refuse service to gay couples on the basis that they oppose gay marriage for religious reasons.

Compare that, McKoon said, to “our bill, which is equivalent of the federal bill, which can only be used in a lawsuit against the government.”

It’s a false analysis, McKoon said.

But House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said the studies must be considered.

“This evidence is important and relevant,” he said. “I have also had discussions with legislative leaders in Indiana and Arkansas about their experiences with this legislation. This is a serious policy debate that can have far-reaching implications for hardworking Georgians in every corner of this state and will be treated as such.”

Tom Cunningham, the chief economist for the Metro Atlanta Chamber and author of the study, found that Indiana was hit with more than 1 billion negative Twitter impressions in the week after its bill passed. “The complex dynamics of social and political reaction” of passing a bill that many fear would lead to discrimination would be felt in Georgia.

“It is unlikely that RFRA would pass and the rest of the world not care,” Cunningham wrote. “This is not what happened in the past.”

Cunningham estimates the state would lose at least $600 million in convention and business travel, and hundreds of millions more if the bill scared away the National Football League, which is expected to award Atlanta a Super Bowl after the new Falcons stadium is built.

Cunningham, who worked for the Federal Reserve for 30 years, said Georgia stockholders could also lose an average of 4 percent on investments in companies targeted for consumer boycotts.

Cunningham used the actual economic impact felt by Indiana after the Hoosier State passed similar legislation last year to estimate potential losses in Georgia. In Indiana, the public outcry was so intense, lawmakers went back just a week later and added anti-discrimination language to quiet the public storm. Still, Cunningham found, the result was intense.

“The economic fallout that Indiana experienced when the original bill first went into effect was very real and still lingers,” Kirkpatrick said. “The Indiana Legislature attempted to ‘fix’ the original bill. It was too late. The damage to the state’s image was done.”

The CVB report is based on studies done by two industry magazines, Meetings & Conventions and Successful Meetings. Those publications polled more than 100 major convention planners. The results show that about 45 percent of respondents would cancel a convention in a city where a law was passed that many of their attendees found offensive.

The CVB study estimates that Atlanta would lose 2.5 million hotel-room bookings over the next four years if a religious freedom bill passes without anti-discrimination language. That includes meetings already planned for Atlanta and estimated future bookings.

The impact would mean $450 million in lost direct spending per year, $400 million in lost business sales, $50 million in lost state and local taxes, and the loss of 4,000 jobs. All told, the CVB estimates the bill would mean a $2 billion hit to Atlanta’s tourism industry. Atlanta ranks fourth in convention business in the United States.

“You can see our concerns about passing religious freedom without any anti -discrimination language in it,” said William Pate, the president of the Atlanta CVB. “It will have a significant impact on our business. The convention business is kind of the gasoline that runs the economic engine. You don’t see it, but when it disappears you really feel it.”

Pate said lawmakers can expect to see Georgia’s business leaders at the Gold Dome in January.

“We’re going to be working with the Chamber of Commerce and several other groups as we’re down at the Capitol, urging them not to pass legislation or at the very least make sure we include nondiscriminatory language in the bill,” he said.

But McKoon said the concern is all theoretical.

“They haven’t had anyone come forward and say, ‘We’re going to cancel our convention if it passes,” he said.

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Federal Bill is Welcome Momentum — More Work Remains

July 23, 2015 by admin

At Georgia Unites Against Discrimination, we’re glad to hear about a new federal LGBT equality bill that would protect people from discrimination nationwide — this bill brings needed attention to an issue that we’ve been highlighting here in Georgia.

But Congress isn’t going to make this bill a reality overnight — that’s why we must keep up the pressure on lawmakers in Georgia to pass a statewide non-discrimination bill protecting LGBT Georgians as soon as possible.

We know that no hardworking LGBT Georgian should have to wait a single day longer to be protected from discrimination. And we know that the longer we wait, the more opportunities are missed by Georgia businesses who are urging that these kinds of protections be placed into state law

Just last month we saw Georgia slip from #1 to #5 in CNBC’s rankings of America’s top States for Business — and that ranking was based in part on quality of life issues, specifically including non-discrimination protections for LGBT people. We know that protecting all Georgians from discrimination is the right thing to do — and good for our state’s economy.

If you’re committed to securing non-discrimination protections for all Georgians, check out our website for all the different ways you can get involved!

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Progress doesn’t end at SCOTUS

June 29, 2015 by admin

Progress2fbHistory has been made: Last week, the Supreme Court ruled, and marriage equality is now law of the land nationwide!

This means now, right here in Georgia, same-sex couples have secured the freedom to marry—an accomplishment that not that long ago seemed like a distant dream.

But while the nation celebrates this victory, the fact remains under Georgia state law: As same-sex couples rush to get married in Georgia, they can be fired from their jobs that very same day simply because of who they are.

Progress does not—and will not—end at the Supreme Court. With your help, we’ll make sure of it.

Tell Georgia lawmakers: SCOTUS’ ruling isn’t the end. LGBT Georgians need full protections from discrimination now. Click here to send a message.

Time and time again this past legislative session, our opponents proved that their agenda is driven by nothing more than legalized discrimination against LGBT Georgians. And you can bet last week’s Supreme Court ruling will only embolden their efforts to pass the “license to discriminate” RFRA.

But we’ve proven ourselves too—as a broad-based movement of real Georgians who know discrimination is wrong and will fight for fairness for our neighbors, family and friends.

So now, with the momentum of the Supreme Court at our backs—and our opponents vowing to chip away at our advances—it’s time to kick this campaign into overdrive to defeat RFRA and make the case to lawmakers that the time is now to protect LGBT Georgians from discrimination.

If you’re committed to ensuring that every Georgian, no matter who they are or whom they love, can live free from discrimination, click here to email your lawmakers now.

We’re incredibly grateful for the countless supporters, organizations and leaders who made last week’s historic victory at the Supreme Court possible.

But we aren’t done. We know you aren’t either.

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Discrimination has consequences

June 25, 2015 by admin

demotedfbLast year, Georgia was proud to earn the coveted No. 1 ranking by CNBC as America’s Top State for Business. But this year, Georgia dropped to fifth place.

With CNBC’s recent announcement that quality of life issues—specifically non-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people—would be included in their ranking, it’s not hard to see why.

The consequences of Georgia’s discriminatory laws are starting to catch up to us. But Governor Deal can help put Georgia back on track—by expressly supporting non-discrimination protections including sexual orientation and gender identity.

Click here to send a message to Governor Deal urging him to lead the South—and restore Georgia’s ranking as the best state for business—by declaring that our state does not stand for discrimination.

Georgia touts a business friendly environment, but without a non-discrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity, every single day, we discourage top talent from moving to our state and contributing to our economy.

What’s more, with some legislators dead set on passing the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act which will make it even easier to discriminate, we could expect Georgia’s business standing to suffer even more.

The state that secured the #1 spot in CNBC’s ranking is none other than Minnesota, a state that has had a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity since the early 90s.

The proof is in the pudding: Ensuring that all our citizens can live securely without the threat of discrimination isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s good for business as well. Now it’s time to remind the Governor that his role as our state’s Chief Executive is to ensure the economic well-being of our state.

Click here to send a message to Governor Deal urging him to take a stand against discrimination.

Together, we can make Georgia open for business to everyone.

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Show Atlanta’s Mayor we have his back

June 18, 2015 by admin

reedfbAtlanta’s Mayor Kasim Reed means business.

When Senator Josh McCoon—the sponsor of the “license to discriminate” RFRA bill—tried to legitimize his mean-spirited legislation that could allow individuals and businesses to discriminate against others, Atlanta’s Mayor was having none of it.

In a debate on Twitter, Mayor Reed artfully explained that the country has moved forward, and now an overwhelming majority agree that discrimination has no place in either Georgia or the nation. He also made the salient point that enacting RFRA will tarnish Georgia’s global business standing and hurt our economy.

We need strong allies like Mayor Reed to push back against the misinformation perpetrated by Senator McCoon and RFRA’s supporters. So join us as we thank Mayor Reed for taking a stand against a license to discriminate in Georgia—click here to send a message now.

Despite Mayor Reed’s insistence that RFRA is bad for our economy and bad for the state, the fact remains that Senator McCoon has vowed to push for an Indiana-style RFRA bill next year.

And with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling expected this month that could lead to the freedom to marry in Georgia and nationwide, we have no doubt that RFRA supporters will be even more committed to passing their anti-LGBT agenda than ever before.

That’s why it’s imperative we show allies like Mayor Kasim Reed that we appreciate them standing up for LGBT Georgia families.

Click here to send a message thanking the Mayor for taking a stand against RFRA.

Because with stakes this high, we need all the allies that we can get.

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Don’t let Gov. Deal backtrack

May 26, 2015 by admin

urgedealfbThe Governor is backtracking.

In the face of Indiana’s disastrous passage of the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act last April, Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal acknowledged the widespread anger and major financial toll our state would face if lawmakers dared to pass a similar “license to discriminate” law.

At a minimum, Governor Deal vowed that if RFRA were to move forward in the Peach State, it include an inclusive non-discrimination clause ensuring that it could not be used to undermine existing local protections for LGBT Georgians.

But now he’s hedging on his promise, saying he may support RFRA without non-discrimination clauses. The Governor needs to hear from you now.

Click here to send an urgent message to Governor Deal urging him to keep his promise and only support legislation that ensures RFRA is not a license to discriminate against LGBT Georgians.

After Indiana and Arkansas suffered a loss of millions in investment and thousands of jobs, you would think Governor Deal would know better than to risk Georgia’s world-class business reputation by potentially backing a bill that has been proven to lead to discrimination towards gay and transgender people.

But now the Governor is resorting to the same tired and debunked talking points used by RFRA proponents in Indiana and Arkansas, stating that he would consider signing a RFRA bill that did not include a nondiscrimination provision—the only assurance we have that this bill could not be used to water down existing protections for gay and transgender people.

It was just last month when Georgians from across the state came together to stop RFRA from moving forward in 2015. But if we aren’t careful, our opponents will resort to the same dirty tricks and try to ram this same discriminatory bill through the legislature next year.

It’s time to show the Governor that actions speak louder than words, and we are going to keep the pressure on all year long until he assures both the business community and the people of Georgia that discrimination will not be tolerated in the Peach State.

Click here to send an urgent message to Governor Deal now and remind him that the people of Georgia are watching.

Thank you for taking bold action against a license to discriminate.

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Giving Thanks To All Organizations Who Helped Stop RFRA In GA This Year

April 15, 2015 by admin

TYThe last few months have been incredible. Together, we showed what happens when a group of concerned citizens come together to stop a mean-spirited and discriminatory law. And together we stopped the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) from moving forward in Georgia in 2015.

Here at Georgia Unites Against Discrimination, we know that we could have never secured this victory, if it weren’t for all of our incredible supporters, as well as the coalition of organizations that worked together to defeat this bill.

True to our name, this was a united effort. And each and every organization involved played an integral part to defeating this dangerous piece of legislation. So without further ado, we’d like to extend our warmest gratitude to the following organizations for their work and support in this historic victory. We could not have done it without you.

Georgia Equality
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
ACLU of Georgia
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Human Rights Campaign
American Unity Fund
Gerry Weber, Constitutional Lawyer (Atlanta)
Lambda Legal
The Georgia Hospitality Association
The Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association
Faith in Public Life
Planned Parenthood Southeast
ProGeorgia
SOJOURN
Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta
Anti-Defamation League, Southeast Regional Office
Feminist Women’s Health Center
Georgia NAACP
Presbyterians for a Better Georgia
Moral Monday Georgia
Central Outreach & Advocacy Center

And finally, we would like to thank House Speaker David Ralston for his crucial work to help stop RFRA from being brought to a floor vote in the House.

United, we are a stronger Georgia. We look forward to working with each of these organizations in the coming weeks and months to stop RFRA once again in 2016 and advance efforts to protect gay and transgender Georgians from discrimination.

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LISTEN: ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill Expected Back In 2016 Ga. Legislature

April 13, 2015 by admin

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act effort is far from over in Georgia.

Columbus Republican Sen. Josh McKoon is vowing to bring back the potentially controversial legislation next year during the 2016 General Assembly.

McKoon’s bill passed the Senate, but stalled in the House during this year’s session of the legislature.

The lawmaker talked with Rose Scott and Denis O’Hayer on “A Closer Look.”

McKoon said he plans to continue the push for his RFRA bill, without the non-discrimination language that was added to Indiana and Arkansas’ controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act measures.

“I think what we need to do is stick to the federal language,” McKoon said during the interview on “A Closer Look.”

McKoon said he’s not worried that the same bill in Georgia might ignite a controversy similar to the recent national backlash caused by the Indiana and Arkansas RFRA measures.

McKoon explained on “A Closer Look” why he thinks the bill is necessary in Georgia, what is in his RFRA legislation and why he says it does not discriminate against the LGBT community.

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VICTORY: RFRA will not advance!

April 3, 2015 by admin

WinWOW, we did it!

At midnight last night, the Georgia General Assembly officially closed their doors for this legislative session and with it ended any chance that RFRA could move forward in Georgia in 2015.

That’s right. For another year at least, we can state with confidence that this harmful legislation will not grant individuals and businesses a license to discriminate under the guise of religious beliefs.

This is a victory, to be sure. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Since RFRA passed the state Senate this year, the bill still remains active and can move forward when lawmakers are back in session next year.

What’s more, since Georgia remains one of only a handful of states without a civil rights statute, LGBT Georgians still remain woefully unprotected against discrimination under the laws of our state.

That’s why we need you to contact your elected leaders, one last time for this session, and let them know we aren’t going away: no RFRA next year—and advance non-discrimination protections for LGBT Georgians! Click here to take action now.

On the cusp of this victory, in no short order, we owe thanks where is due. To you. Because without supporters like you who emailed and called your lawmakers and rallied with us at the Statehouse, this victory—our victory—would all be but a dream.

But since RFRA is still active in the legislature, and we have no statewide civil rights law, today can’t be the end. We must remain vigilant—and let lawmakers know we’ll be back next year.

Click here to let our elected officials know: The people of Georgia are glad RFRA didn’t move forward letting them know that we will be back just as strong as ever if they even think about passing RFRA again.

Then, I hope you’ll take some time to soak in the glory of this well deserved victory. We did it… We stopped RFRA in 2015!

Thank you for all that you have done to keep Georgia an open and welcoming state for all.

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The Atlanta Journal Constitution: Table that bill!

April 2, 2015 by admin

AJCThe Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote an editorial on April 2 the final day of the 2015 legislative session, urging Georgia lawmakers to reject the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

The editorial begins stating that Georgia should bury the bill and never look back, because: “to do otherwise is to raise too risky a proposition that the moral wrong of discrimination will once again surface—clearly stamped with government’s approval. That prospect would batter Constitutional guarantees of liberty as surely as the bill’s proponents contend that freedom of religion is somehow currently under attack.”

“The Georgia General Assembly must tread lightly in this delicate and treacherous work of balancing conflicting understandings of individual rights. If lawmakers get it wrong, they risk doing much more harm than good. This is a time for conservative politicians to remind themselves of the dangers of government meddling.”

The AJC continued by referring to the recent RFRA bills passed in both Indiana and Arkansas, and the enormous backlash that has ensued, especially after Indiana’s bill was signed into law by Governor Mike Pence:

“Consider the now well-battered states of Indiana and Arkansas, which chose to pass religious freedom laws. It takes only the most cursory of glances at the predictable economic fallout thundering down this week on Hoosiers and Razorbacks to see the potential for damage that lies ahead if Georgia persists in pursuing a similar path of divisiveness, and not collaboration.”

In Indiana, the RFRA bill was amended by the legislature to include nondiscrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations for gay and transgender Hoosiers after numerous companies and organizations condemned the bill. Governor Asa Hutchinson sent back the Arkansas bill to the legislature after it passed.

The AJC believes that the Freedom of Religion is one of the most fundamental rights in the Constitution, and that there is no need to fix it in Georgia. The editorial referenced Pope Francis from a 2013 discussion of gay Catholics, when he famously remarked, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

To further drive the point, the AJC condemned the mixing of church and state: “These are matters best left to debate and interpretation in houses of worship, and not halls of legislative assembly. For it is inescapable that disputes over Biblical precepts will remain with us always. And that’s okay in a secular society that welcomes practitioners of many faiths, or no faith at all.”

The AJC joins Georgia organizations and major businesses such as Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and MailChimp in opposing this harmful legislation. Public figures such as Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Elton John and Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry have all stood out in opposition as well.

The Georgia RFRA bill currently sits in the General Assembly, which adjourns at midnight tonight. Don’t let legislators pass this misguided legislation!

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Coca-Cola boldly speaks out against RFRA

April 2, 2015 by admin

CocaCoca-Cola, the worldwide billion-dollar company based in Atlanta, Georgia and ranking as one of the world’s most valuable brands, made a public statement against the proposed Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in Georgia.

The statement reads: “Coca-Cola does not support any legislation that discriminates, in our home state of Georgia or anywhere else. Coca-Cola values and celebrates diversity. We believe policies that would allow a business to refuse service to an individual based upon discrimination of any kind, does not only violate our Company’s core values, but would also negatively affect our consumers, customers, suppliers, bottling partners and associates. As a business, it is appropriate for us to help foster diversity, unity and respect among all people.

“We advocate for inclusion, equality and diversity through both our policies and practices. Coca-Cola does not condone intolerance or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world.”

This statement comes in the wake of the colossal backfire that occurred in Indiana when Governor Mike Pence signed into law a similar RFRA bill on March 26. Organizations and companies from across the state publicly condemned the bill, recognizing that it gives individuals and businesses a license to discriminate against the LGBT community under the guise of religion.

Because of the bill’s public shaming, Governor Pence reconfigured the bill so that it will not permit discrimination against gay and transgender Hoosiers, marking a historic victory for equality.

The RFRA bill in Georgia is currently sitting in the General Assembly, which adjourns tonight at midnight.

Coca-Cola is not the only organization speaking out against the bill—The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, MailChimp and Marriott have all publicly opposed the bill, along with individuals including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Elton John and Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry.

There is still time to contact your legislator opposing this bill, but time is quickly running out.

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We’ll know tomorrow

April 1, 2015 by admin

tomorrowfbFor weeks, we’ve been emailing you, urging you to take action against a “license to discriminate” RFRA bill now making its way through the Georgia General Assembly.

We’ve kept you updated with every twist and turn as our opponents have tried to slip this discriminatory law past the people of Georgia.

And together, we’ve harnessed an incredible grassroots force to be reckoned with. When legislative session began, some thought RFRA was a done deal. Today, the bill is now on life support.

When the Georgia General Assembly shuts their doors tomorrow at midnight, they’ll also be shutting down the last opportunity for RFRA to pass this year.

But make no mistake: The final hours are the most critical. That’s when legislators will be making deals on the floor. It’s up to us to ensure they don’t jeopardize Georgia’s good standing and reputation by sneaking past an Indiana-style RFRA bill.

Make sure they don’t! Click here to take action now.

If we’ve learned anything from this experience, it’s that our opponents will resort to the lowest common denominator in order to enshrine legalized discrimination into state law.

And when legislators work into the late hours tomorrow evening, you can be certain that RFRA supporters will be there, trying to wheel and deal their way into passing this discriminatory and mean-spirited law.

Our only weapon: Accountability. Click here to tell your Representative that we are watching, and we will hold our elected leaders responsible if they dare to pass a “license to discriminate” RFRA law.

Let’s continue to hold their feet to the fire.

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