The Religious Freedom bill now has a compromised version. Georgia lawmakers changed the bill to protect same-sex marriage opponents.
According to Georgia House speaker David Ralston, they added a very clear anti-discrimination provision and toned down some of the words that were there in the first version.
The new proposal shown last Wednesday seeks to resolve many years of heated debate over the legal rights of religious citizens that several other bills would boost or excuse discrimination against lesbians, gay and transgender people. But this new proposal was immediately wretched by gay-rights advocates who claimed that it still allows discrimination as per Fox 5 Atlanta.
But as reported by ABC News, the changes by the House and also the Senate would spare the government the burden of religious belief and government penalty against organizations that is based on faith. This will include the refusal to serve or hire someone. This will also further protect religious officials who will decline performing gay marriages. Schools and other organizations that will decline to such issue will also be spared.
According to The Eagle, the state's business community which is composed of 300 companies gathered to oppose any legislation that could damage their brand. They warned that millions of dollars are at stake if the new version will pass through.
The group which is known as the Georgia Prospers coalition include top employers like AT&T, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta Air Lines and UPS. All companies are aware of the economic backlash that will happen if it will be approved.
House State Representative Karla Drenner who is proudly gay also opposed to the bill. She said that this action takes away the idea of mutual respect and replaces the right to discriminate others. She added that the Georgian community has contributed a lot to the society and the type of lives they live now.
