Disney, Marvel take bold pro-LGBT stance in Georgia

by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

In wake of Georgia’s anti-gay religious liberty bill now pending, Walt Disney Co. and Marvel Studios say they will take their business out of Georgia “should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law.”

According to CNET, “The Georgia bill would let faith-based organizations refuse the use of property ‘for an event which is objectionable to such faith based organization.’ It would allow those organizations to refuse to provide services that ‘violate such faith based organization's sincerely held religious belief.’ This would also extend to hiring practices.”

Essentially, House Bill 757 would legalize discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Marvel is currently shooting “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” outside of Atlanta, but even that will be left up in the air if this bill comes to pass.

Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin urged studios and production companies on Saturday to deny further production in Georgia if said legislation­­ is not vetoed. Disney took their call to action to heart.

“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,” a Disney spokesman said, according to Variety.

Sources doubt Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal will allow such a discriminatory bill to become law, but Deal has made no indication as to whether he will or will not veto the bill. He has until May 3.

“As a company, AMC Networks believes that discrimination of any kind is reprehensible,” a company spokesman said, according to Variety.

“We applaud Governor Deal’s leadership in resisting a previous version of this divisive legislation and urge him to reject the current version as well.”

The Gayly – 3/23/2016 @ 4:05 p.m. CST