In Georgia, a House Bill 757, was passed last week by the state legislature which states that no pastor can be forced to perform a same-sex wedding, that a faith-based group could not be forced to hire or retain an employee whose beliefs contradict those of the organization, and that religious schools would be able to reject holding events for people or groups to whom they object.
The bill is now on the desk of the Governor of Georgia waiting for his signature to make it official.
However, more than three dozen Hollywood actors and directors have signed their names to an open letter threatening to cease all film productions in Georgia if the governor signs the new law which they say discriminates against LGBT groups.
There are several tax incentives for the film industry in the State, which has resulted in the production of 248 films and television shows in 2015. This has made it one of the most popular locations for production outside California and NY. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, those projects brought in more than $6 billion from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015
Among the celebrities who added their name to the open letter were:
- Kristen Chenoweth;
- Anne Hathaway;
- Seth MacFarlane;
- Julianne Moore;
- Ryan Murphy;
- Rob Reiner;
- Aaron Sorkin;
- Gus Van Sant; and
- Bob and Harvey Weinstein.
Apart from the film industry more than 300 companies, including Disney, Google, Coca-Cola, the NFL and Delta Air Lines are also protesting the bill.
The Governor has until May 3rd to decide whether to sign the bill or not.
Georgia is where Walking Dead is being shot.
Source: Georgianews.com
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