A growing number of entertainment companies are calling on Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to veto the discriminatory HB 757 bill. Time Warner, the parent company of HBO, Warner Bros, CNN and Turner, which has a significant presence in Georgia is the latest media company to speak out against the bill, reported GLAAD. Also joining in were Sony, Lionsgate, 21st Century Fox and the Weinstein Company.
Time Warner released the following statement:
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 – HBO, Warner Bros. and Turner – 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.
21st Century Fox statement:
On behalf of 21st Century Fox’s many creative partners and colleagues who choose to film their projects in the beautiful state of Georgia, we join the growing coalition of businesses in asking Governor Deal to veto this bill.
Lionsgate statement:
Lionsgate has deep roots in the State of Georgia in our film, television and location-based entertainment businesses. As a Company committed to diversity, inclusiveness and tolerance, we urge the Governor of Georgia to veto the deplorable and regressive legislation (House Bill 757) that has been sent to him. We take pride in our relationship with the people of Georgia and want to ensure that we can continue to offer our employees and talent there a working environment consistent with our policies and values.
The Weinstein Company threatened to pull upcoming projects from Georgia if the legislation passed:
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.
Gov. Deal has until May 3 to decide whether to sign or veto the bill. If he takes no action, the bill will become law. If it becomes law, HB 757 would allow any person or faith-based organization (including nonprofits, charities, schools, universities, and hospitals) to cite their “religious beliefs” as justification to discriminate against others, including LGBT Georgians.
