A coalition of some of the nation’s top advocacy groups has warned the Georgia Chamber over “religious liberty” bills under consideration at the Capitol, saying passage “will send a loud message across the country that Georgia is an unwelcoming place for LGBT Americans” and would threaten the state’s ability to recruit both businesses and tourists.
The two-page letter — which could be read as an indirect threat of a boycott — is signed by 27 groups on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and includes the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD.
It makes direct reference to Senate Bill 129 and House Bill 218, which supporters say would prevent government intrusion on faith-based beliefs.
The groups, however, say the bills would allow individuals and some businesses to cite religious beliefs by refusing to follow laws meant to prohibit discrimination in employment and public services. So, they say, a school counselor could refuse services to a transgender teenager. Or a homeless shelter funded in part by taxpayer money could refuse shelter to a same-sex couple.
“Georgia does not want a broad, ill-defined law that could allow some people to use one set of religious beliefs to hurt or discriminate against others,” they wrote.
The letter comes as both opponents and supporters have held a number of dueling rallies and press conferences to either boost or deride the legislation. On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee surprised state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, by tabling SB 129 — despite the fact that he is both the bill's sponsor and chairman of the committee. The bill is still alive, however, and could come back to committee as soon as next week.
HB 218 is also stalled in committee, despite conservative pressure to jar it loose.
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