Georgia could face Hollywood backlash over anti-gay adoption bill

On Friday, the Senate in the US state of Georgia approved the controversial SB 135 by 35-19. The bill allows taxpayer-funded child welfare organizations to turn away qualified people wishing to adopt on faith reasons.

It will potentially allow adoption and foster agencies to turn away LGBTI couples, single parents or interfaith couples.

Condemnation of the bill from LGBTI advocates has been swift.

‘Plain and simple – SB 375 is discrimination dressed up as a “solution” to a fake problem,’ said Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign. ‘It creates an unnecessary hardship for potential LGBTQ adoptive or foster parents in Georgia and primarily harms the children looking for a loving home.’

Georgia popular filming location

Now, there’s speculation of a Hollywood boycott if SB 375 becomes law. Showrunner Bex Wexler, whose credits include The Comedian and The Grinder, last night called for the entertainment industry to avoid the state if it passes the law.

He tweeted a link to an LGBTQ Nation story about the legislation, saying, ‘To my fellow showrunners: if this dumb bill becomes law, let’s be done filming television shows in Georgia.’

To my fellow showrunners: if this dumb bill becomes law, let’s be done filming television shows in Georgia https://t.co/d5Vd5bj8Rp

— Ben Wexler (@mrbenwexler) February 26, 2018

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 17 feature films were shot in Georgia in 2016 – thanks in part to tax incentives offered by the state. Popular shows filmed their include The Walking Dead and Atlanta.

Gay director and producer Tyler Perry also has his studios there and Marvel movies including Black Panther and the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War were filmed at Pinewood Atlanta.

Wexler’s tweet was re-tweeted by Dustin Lance Black (Oscar-winning screenwriter of Milk), and Billy Eichner. At the time of writing, it had over 10,000 retweets and 36,000 likes.

Those opposed to the bill have also been calling on Amazon to take notice. The tech giant is currently seeking a location for its second headquarters – and Atlanta, Georgia is bidding for the contract.

Corporate pressure

It’s known that corporate pressure can help persuade states to change their mind when it comes to anti-LGBTI legislation.

When North Carolina passed an anti-trans bathroom bill in 2016, many companies made it clear that they were unimpressed. Deutsche Bank and PayPal suspended plans to expand in the state and the NCAA cancelled taking games there. Bruce Springsteen was among several high-profile campaigners to say he would not perform in the state.

North Carolina quashed the bill (HB2) last year.

Advocates plan to continue to lobby lawmakers to stop the bill when it reaches the House of Representatives. A rally against SB 375 has been organized for this Thursday (1 March) outside the Georgia Capitol Building.

One representative who has already voiced her opposition to the bill on numerous occasions is Stacy Abrams (Democratic State Rep. for 89th District and minority House Leader). She tweeted Friday, ‘LGBTQ families who seek to adopt should be welcomed, and legislation that discriminates under the guise of religion has no place in our state. SB 375 harms GA’s most vulnerable children by rejecting loving parents who would help them thrive.’

There are currently 116 Republican Representatives in Georgia against 64 Democrats.

Following his re-tweet of Wexler’s tweet, Dustin Lance Black again posted to social media about SB375 earlier today.

‘This “solution” in search of problem (where none exists) could create real problems for the working people of #Georgia when businesses deem the state too intolerant to call it their home.’

This “solution” in search of problem (where none exists) could create real problems for the working people of #Georgia when businesses deem the state too intolerant to call it their home. https://t.co/bZRwseY8fu

— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) February 26, 2018

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