Over 400 companies including major corporations like Delta, Coca Cola, Home Depot, SalesForce, and Hyatt, along with small businesses throughout Georgia and the Georgia Visitors and Convention Bureau, have come together to say no to discrimination and stand in opposition to the antii-LGBTQ religious exemption bills making their way through the legislature.

Watch the Chief Financial Officer of Home Depot stand up for Fairness:

[fbvideo link="https://www.facebook.com/GAProspers/videos/611098552370759/" width="500" height="400" onlyvideo="1"]

A broad coalition of faith leaders have also come out in opposition to the discriminatory legislation. In a statement posted on www.clergyunitedagainstdiscrimination.org, clergy said:

“We oppose this proposed legislation. First, it would put an individual’s religious beliefs ahead of the common good. Second, it could unleash a wave of costly lawsuits that will add burdens to both the courts and taxpayers alike. Third, our freedom of religion is already guaranteed and protected by the U.S. Constitution and Georgia’s State Constitution.

Fourth, a state RFRA could legalize discrimination by allowing businesses to refuse to serve customers based on religious objections. We believe that businesses that are open to the public should be open to everyone on the same terms. We strongly oppose giving for-profit corporations religious rights that could allow them to pick and choose which laws to follow and discriminate against employees based on any characteristic—from their religious practices to their sexual orientation. This principle harkens back to the civil rights movement and our nation’s core values of equality and justice.”

On Wednesday, March 2, 75,000 emails were delivered to the Governor. “Today we bring those 75,000 emails to the governor’s office so that he can see where the majority of Georgians stand on this issue,” said Graham, Georgia Equality’s executive director said to Project Q Atlanta.  “I hope we can begin to reframe this debate from one about allowing discrimination to one about fighting discrimination against everyone, be they women, racial minorities, the LGBT community or people of faith.”

Equality Federation continues to provide support to Georgia Equality and the coalition of partners working to defend fairness and freedom.

Related Posts:

• What’s Happening in Georgia?
• WATCH: Senator Compares KKK and Beyonce’ in Georgia’s “License to Discriminate” Debate
• “License to Discriminate” Bill Advances in Georgia