Never underestimate the power of Hollywood… and the NFL!
As we reported earlier, Disney and Marvel Studios are threatening to cease filming in Georgia if an anti-gay bill gets signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal, and The Walking Dead network AMC had some strong words for them as well!
The bill in question, titled the Free Exercise Protection Act, allows discrimination against the LGBT community in a variety of hurtful and damaging ways.
Related: This Is A Terrible Bill!
Essentially, businesses and other entities can refuse service to an LGBT identifying person simply because it interferes with their religious beliefs. Translation — people could get fired or denied basic rights over their sexual orientation which is NOT GOOD.
Considering the hateful nature of the bill, the NFL, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Lionsgate Films, 21st Century Fox, CBS, the Weinstein Company, and Sony have joined the movement to stop the legislation.
While all names are big, the NFL is a HUGE step in the right direction considering the organization has had issues with LGBT acceptance in the past and let’s face it — super heteronormative. Either way, it’s good to know that Roger Goodell, is sticking up for his openly gay brother.
Check out a few supportive statements from the pro-LGBT companies (below)!
Time Warner:
“At Time Warner, diversity in all its forms is core to our value system and to the success of our business. We strongly oppose the discriminatory language and intent of Georgia’s pending religious liberty bill, which clearly violates the values and principles of inclusion and the ability of all people to live and work free from discrimination. All of our divisions ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ HBO, Warner Bros. and Turner ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ have business interests in Georgia but none more than Turner, an active participant in the Georgia Prospers campaign, a coalition of business leaders committed to a Georgia that welcomes all people. Georgia bill HB 757 is in contradiction to this campaign, to the values we hold dear, and to the type of workplace we guarantee to our employees. We urge Governor Deal to exercise his veto.”
CBS:
“CBS Corporation is committed to an environment that values diversity and inclusion throughout the company and in all our business practices. The discriminatory language in Georgia’s proposed religious liberty bill conflicts with these core ethics and values. We call on Governor Deal to exercise his veto power.”
NFL:
“NFL policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard. Whether the laws and regulations of a state and local community are consistent with these policies would be one of many factors NFL owners may use to evaluate potential Super Bowl host sites.”
The Weinstein Co.:
“The Weinstein Co. will not stand behind sanctioning the discrimination of├óΓé¼┼╜ LGBT people or any American. We have plans in place to begin filming Lee Daniels’ new film in Georgia later this year but will move the production if this unlawful bill is enacted. We hope Governor Deal will veto bill HB 757 and not allow sanctioned bigotry to become law in Georgia.”
Sony:
“Georgia Bill HB 757 is anathema to our studio and to all those who value diversity and inclusion. We strongly urge Governor Deal to exercise his veto.”
Wow! What powerful and important statements!
So, whose side are YOU on?
[Image via WENN.]
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