A bill was recently passed in Georgia that would allow faith-based groups and organizations to discriminate based on sexuality, which would effectively make it more difficult for LGBTQIA individuals from accessing marriage ceremonies, services, and employment. Now, it’s up to two-term Republican Governor Nathan Deal to either sign or veto House Bill 757.
The Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin appealed to studio and production companies at the Los Angeles HRC Bala on Saturday, asking them to use their influence to “not only to defeat this bill, but to send a message that there are consequences to passing dangerous and hateful laws like this” by “[committing] to locating no further productions in the state of Georgia if this bill becomes law.” The NFL (who said the bill would hurt Georgia’s opportunity to host the Super Bowl) and several tech business including executives at Yelp, Intel, and Twitter openly criticized the discriminatory bill, calling it incompatible with their company policies of inclusion (and especially incompatible with the larger goal of treating people with decency and respect). Disney joined these voices against Bill 575, with a spokesperson telling TheWrap:
Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia,we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law.
Deadline lists Captain America: Civil War and Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 among the films Disney and Marvel Studios have made in Georgia. Governor Deal hasn’t made any comments on the possible boycott, but his previous statements suggest he’s not fully for the bill. Let’s hope so.
(via Deadline, Image via BB-8 Visits Disneyland)
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