After a decade of debate, Georgia now has a ‘religious liberty’ law

How a religious liberty bill brought Georgia national attention

At Georgia Equality headquarters, Graham’s office is covered in mementos, including an advertisement that ran in 2016 in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Two hundred seventy two Georgia clergy oppose discrimination in the name of religion,” the full-page ad proclaims in big letters.

That spring, a bill called the “Free Exercise Protection Act” had landed on the governor’s desk, and Georgia Equality was in an all-out fight to stop it, gathering 75,000 emails to the governor urging a veto. Volunteers hand-delivered them in 30 boxes to the State Capitol.

Supporters of the measures, often known as Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, or RFRAs, say they ensure the government meets a high bar before infringing on religious beliefs or practices. Critics say these laws open the door to allowing discrimination against LGBTQ people.

“If you look back at it, it is a defense of religious freedom and that religious freedom can coexist with tolerance. It really was a beautiful speech, but I think it was one that he agonized over.”

Brian Robinson, longtime staffer for former Gov. Nathan Deal

While a federal RFRA passed with bipartisan support in 1993, by the 2010s, proposals to enact state-level laws were spurring outcry in places like Indiana and then Georgia.

The U.S. Supreme Court had just legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, and corporate America was embracing efforts to expand LGBTQ rights.

Atlanta-based corporate heavyweights like Delta and Coca-Cola opposed the legislation, as did hometown teams the Braves and the Falcons. Entertainment companies such as Disney threatened to boycott the state, just as Georgia’s film and TV industry was beginning to boom. Continue reading…