jezebel.com: A bill passed by the Georgia legislature that would allow “discrimination against LGBT people and others by citing religious beliefs” is currently sitting on the desk of the state’s governor, Nathan Deal. But if he signs it, nearly all of Hollywood’s biggest studios—including Disney, Marvel, and Viacom—plan on boycotting the state.
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Bills like the one mentioned in the article are the talk of the town, with North Carolina implementing an "emergency" anti-trans bill. Now, people are starving all over the world, there are unemployed folks by the millions across the country, and we are focusing on new ways to discriminate against people who don't fit our schema of normal. The fact that the bill cites religious beliefs as a reason for legal action is a massive cop-out, and is more than a little damaging to future generations. The 1st amendment pertains to significantly more than just religious freedom. However, we live in a time in which, while organized religion gets less and less popular every day, the people who do follow the religions become more and more fervent about their beliefs to the detriment of the culture around them as well as the public's view of the clergy. Atlanta being the Hollywood of the south is a fair assessment in everything but the acceptance Hollywood (should) inspire. The most watched show on television, The Walking Dead, shoots in Atlanta every year, braving the blistering heat and mosquitos to give a gripping portrayal of the post-apocalypse. However, if this bill is allowed to pass, we are looking at a cultural apocalypse even more dire than the zombie one the show involves.
It's exciting to see corporate America to step out to the plate for just about any issue, but it is really exciting to see the almost universal acceptance of gay people rapidly gain speed in my lifetime. One of my personal considerations when I do just about anything is "What kind of ideas am I supporting by giving this company my money?". While this is seems like a basic consideration for any consumer, I would say that a large majority of consumers fail to bother researching the values of the companies they purchase goods and services from, which would make it interesting for a company to do anything about social justice when it seems like most of their consumers just don't care. Perhaps consumer ideologies are evolving to be more aware of these kinds of considerations, such as whether or not a particular corporation supports the rights of LGBT people. That's my hope, at least.
Well I think what Brennan said above is really important, and it s pretty exceptional that in my life time the rights and acceptance of gay people has sky rocketed. I am so happy to be able to say that my child will never know a world where everyone can not get married, and I am glad that many cooperations and companies with large audiences have started to take a stand and change some minds, but this country still has so far to go in the way of civil rights. Women still make 77 cents for every dollar men make, there are innocent black children being killed everyday, and having their murderers get away with it, and just last week North Carolina passed a transgender related bill that is a huge step back for the community. We have a come a long way, and it is important to recognize that, and celebrate the progress, but we have so much more progress to make, and so many more people to help. It is my hope that when I die the world will be a much kinder and more accepting place, and it starts with articles like these. It starts with getting the word out about injustice, and then making sure that people know just how angry a lot of the world is about it.
I am really proud of all of these huge entertainment companies coming forth to make an actual. Media has always been a huge dictating factor on society, but this is definitely a more blatant way to go about pushing an agenda. This sets a precedent for other companies to get involved in issues if it really means something to them because in reality protests will never be as loud as money leaving a state. I think when companies do stuff like this it also gives consumers an opportunity to put their money towards a company that shares their beliefs, which could also open up some eyes throughout society. This article hits especially close to home seeing as North Carolina just passed a similar bill allowing discrimination against the LGBTQ community. I do wonder why these companies did not pull from every state that passed this law, but maybe this is the beginning.
Good! It’s about time Hollywood started using their influence for good. The sad truth of politics is that people are inevitably swayed by money. And nothing says money like the film industry. Georgia would take a huge hit if all of those big names stay true to their boycott. Of course, I doubt they actually would hold true, but the threat alone should be enough to scare the upper echelon of Georgian politics. This rare moment of solidarity from the largest film companies in the country is actually a pleasant surprise. For an industry that claims to be progressive, sometimes the artistic community has trouble showing it. But maybe this is a sign Hollywood is looking up, and will be more willing to stand against discrimination. And of course, this bill itself is just plain stupid. It’s sad that it takes a threat of this magnitude to convince Georgia to use common sense and have a heart.
I was sad to hear that this bill was even in the process of potentially being passed. Ever since the supreme court decision to make same- sex marriage a fundamental right across all 50 states have been passed, I think it was common misconception that the battle for LGBT rights was over and that everything would be okay now. To be fair, I had similar thoughts, writing off people who insisted that “this isn’t the end!” as being unappreciative of the big step we had made as a country. However, after things like this continue to happen in places like Indiana, North Carolina, and now Georgia, it’s hard to hold onto the idea that the fight for equality is, or ever will be, over. There will always be stubbornly conservative and narrow- minded people in positions of power who think that LGBT people shouldn’t have the fundamental rights to adoption, medical coverage, employment, or even food. The suicide rate for LGBT people, especially for homeless/ young LGBT people, is crazy high, and it’s because of things like this which continue to happen despite the positive trajectory we like to think we are going in. I’m so glad that these big names are planning to boycott the state if this bill gets passed, since it shows how entertainment has the power to impact important decisions. I’m just afraid that this won’t be enough to prevent things like this from continuing to happen.
I think its fantastic that these studios are making their opinion on this issue known to the Governor Nathan Deal (although I do think it’s a little deceptive of the author to list Marvel and Disney as separate studios, Disney does own them after all.) This is one of those situations where if these companies stood aside its entire possible that this bill could get passed. The rest of the North Carolina government passed it I wouldn’t be shocked to hear the governor approve it. But now if does that he risks loosing a significant amount of income for the state. If that alone wasn’t enough to warrant consideration, this is Hollywood he’s risking offending. Its entire possible that those studios could use their massive platform to portray these events anyway they choose and that portrayal probably wouldn’t be too favorable to Governor Deal (not that I think something like this is likely but it is possible.)
Well this is nice to see. It is always great to see major organizations and public figures supporting the LGBT community and LGBT rights, even when that support may impact them negatively. If these companies continue to boycott Georgia, it will obviously have a huge effect on Georgia, but it will also affect the companies, since they will be losing all of that business. However, they are willing to risk that in order to continue the demand for LGBT rights. It is a little upsetting that this bill is even being considered, however. It feels so outdated and ridiculously unreasonable and inhumane that it pretty much astounds me that this is an article written in 2016. How is it even still a possibility that a bill could be passed allowing companies to not serve same sex couples? This feels like something I would read about in a history textbook and just think "What the hell, how was this even real?"
I think its crazy that people still use the excuse of their religion- something that they identify as- to discriminate against others who are also identifying themselves, just in a different way. Although I am a faithful person, that doesn't give me or anyone else the right to discriminate! Let people live their own lives for crying out loud! Don't they see the direct correlations that we have had in our history!! I think that it is awesome how all of these great companies are banning together to fight for those that are being discriminated against. I am proud to be part of a community of acceptance. I feel as though these big companies are they superhero to the underdogs. They know how important their business is to Georgia and I love how they plainly threatened the reliance of Georgia on their business. It is really an offer Georgia won't be able to refuse. Overall, I find it inspiring and amazing that big companies with major pull on society and what content they are shown places such strong values in the acceptance of everyone!
Once again, Ladies and Gentlemen, we see another state, another group of people, attempt to abuse and bastardize the constitution while using religion as an excuse. Is nothing sacred anymore? Ironically, I'm sure they are asking the same question. This bill is despicable, and an excellent example of just how far we have left to go with LGBT rights. Marriage equality was a monumental step, but the cause is far from done. It is wonderful to see the support of large entertainment industries for this issue. However, at the same time it is a little puzzling. These same industries are guilty of failing to produce products featuring diverse and LGBT casts. It just seems a little hypocritical that the companies say they support LGBT rights, and on a large scale, their actions show that, yet they fail to do so in their products. Its just a tad puzzling. Why publicly support an LGBT cause and yet not portray the people you represent and fight for in your films, television shows, or on stage?
I see this topic as being a tricky issue. There are truly those who believe (wrongly, in my opinion, but it’s just my opinion) that their religion calls upon them to discriminate against homosexuals, and therefor not being able to do such is a violation of their first amendment rights. But the issue is that you can’t, for any reason, justify discrimination under the bill of rights, as it inherently infringes other people’s personal rights. Even if this notion is lost on the government of Georgia, I saw three really big names in commercial entertainment saying they’d cease to do business with the state if they went and passed this destructive bill, so hopefully that financial incentive, as well as the PR that would go with such a move, will sway Georgia to resist passing legislation that supports bigotry and discrimination under the guise of religious freedom. It’s discrimination, plain and simple.
This is a really fantastic move on the part of Hollywood and shows that the initiatives for social change that have swept Hollywood recently are a standard they want to hold the whole world to and not just themselves. This bill is unequivocally unethical and allows discrimination against a whole slew of the citizens of Georgia. I find this to be completely morally unacceptable and I hope that the governor makes the decision to veto this bill not because of any outside pressure from Hollywood or other sources but because it is flat out wrong and a clear step backwards for Georgia. I hope Hollywood stands by their decision and that Georgia is able to continue along the path of respect for all of its citizens.
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