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

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Robinson says Deal’s ultimate decision to veto the bill was practical, not ideological. He says the governor was not convinced RFRA would harm LGBTQ Georgians, but it did seem likely the legislation could result in corporations leaving the state just as Georgia was climbing out from the recession.

Opponents of a proposed religious liberty bill protest outside the Georgia State Capitol in 2015. (AP Photo)

What changed since the first RFRA showdown

That was nearly a decade ago. When a similar religious liberty measure passed this spring in the final days of the legislative session, Democrats and LGBTQ allies again opposed it. Two House Republicans voted no. But this time, corporations did not threaten boycotts. The governor did not agonize.

“Today I signed SB 36, also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, ensuring that once again at the state level, that Georgians are protected, including Georgians of faith,” Kemp said in April. “I wanted to let everybody know that despite signing that legislation, Georgia still remains a state that has no place for hate, and I can assure all Georgians of that today.”

“RFRA is not any better now than it was in 2016. But there is great urgency to fight [other] pieces of legislation that cause immediate and irreversible harm.”

Georgia Equality executive director Jeff Graham Continue reading…

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