After Disney and Marvel Studios pledged to boycott filming in Georgia if their discriminatory anti-gay bill called the “Free Exercise Protection Act,” many others have joined the call. AMC was next to speak out against it, while not joining a potential boycott, urging the governor, Nathan Deal, not to sign it into law. The Weinstein Company joined Disney’s potential boycott, promising to film a movie later this year elsewhere if the bill is signed.
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Wednesday and Thursday, many more joined the cause, as Viacom (which in turn owns Paramount, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Spike, and VH1) spoke against the bill, saying, “Viacom is proud to champion diversity and acceptance, which are core values of our company. We have enjoyed doing business in Georgia for many years and we urge Governor Deal to continue to resist and reject the patently discriminatory laws being proposed.”
21st Century Fox joined the “growing coalition of businesses in asking Governor Deal to veto this bill.” Lionsgate and Starz also joined the call, stressing inclusion and opposing discrimination.
Time Warner issued a statement stressing that all of their divisions are united in opposition to the bill, as well.
“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.”
Turner has their headquarters in Atlanta, GA, with individual brands like Cartoon Network and Adult Swim located there.
The NFL has spoken out against the bill, as well, and several individuals including DC Entertainment and WBTV über-producer Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Supergirl) have made statements as well.
Sony issued a statement using strong wording against the bill.
“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,” Sony’s statement read.
Governor Deal has until May 3, 2016 to decide whether to sign or veto the bill. The bill prevents any “faith-based organization” from providing any services, hiring, or retaining employees to anyone “whose beliefs or practices or lack of either are not in accord with” the “sincerely held religious belief.” It also extends this to individuals claiming faith-based refusal of service and hiring practices in a further provision.
