Governor of Georgia Nathan Deal has said that he will be vetoing House Bill 757.
The bill passed through the Georgia state legislature and would have permitted faith-based organizations in the state the option to deny services and employment to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Supporters argued that the measure was intended to protect religious freedom, while opponents have called it discriminatory.
The governor was facing mounting pressure from corporations, particularly Hollywood film studios and the Motion Pictures Association of America, as Georgia has become a hotspot for film shoots.
The Republican governor said on Monday morning, “I do not think we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia, of which I and my family have been a part of for all of our lives.”
In response to this, GA legislator state senator Mike Crane called for the holding of a special session of the legislature to attempt to override Deal’s veto, calling it an example of how corporations and lobbyists buy influence.