Senate Bill 129, the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act, generated controversy and heavyweight opposition from the corporate and gay communities during the recent 2015 legislative session and failed to gain enough support to pass. Today, the bill’s sponsor writes about how the legislation is designed to keep the government from abusing our free exercise rights. He denies it will enable others to mistreat any groups. On the other side, a UGA professor points to the state’s historic failure to protect citizens and says it’s time for civil rights legislation to safeguard all individuals.

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez