TV makers are taking a stand against a ridiculous religious freedom bill.
As we reported a couple days ago, some politicians within the American state of Georgia are trying to pass a religious freedom bill. If passed, State Senate Bill 375, or the “Keep Faith in Adoption and Foster Care Act,” would let adoption agencies use their religious beliefs as an excuse to reject gay couples looking to adopt.
The official reasoning for this bill is that it's to protect adoption agencies from being discriminated and persecuted for not approving of gay couples and gay parents.
That said, many have pointed out that no such problems have been reported by adoption agencies. As such, the bill is just an excuse to open a window for discriminating against gay people, and making adoption harder for them.
Despite those protests in the State Senate, the bill ultimately passed on a vote of 35-19. Now, its on its way to the State House of Representatives.
In the meantime, showrunners and producers of popular tv shows are saying they might pull their show productions from the state as a result.
Atlanta, Georgia has become a major spot for Hollywood productions. Not only do multiple tv shows like Queer Eye, The Walking Dead, and Black Lightening, film there, but major movies like Black Panther film there as well.
Due to this, Georgia makes about $7 billion a year from productions and filming. But, all that could come crumbling down thanks to Bill 375 and the words of Ben Wexler.
Ben Wexler is a producer who’s worked on shows like The Grinder, Community, The Michael J. Fox Show, and Arrested Development.
After hearing about Georgia State Senate Bill 375, Wexler tweeted out the following, “To my fellow showrunners: if this dumb bill becomes law, let’s be done filming television shows in Georgia.”
Soon, other tv executives/creatives like Difficult People creator Julie Klausner, Difficult People star Billy Eichner, Starz’s Spartacus creator Steven DeKinght, and When We Rise creator Dustin Lance Black were agreeing with Wexler.
In addition, many have asked the creators of the Walking Dead, which is probably the biggest tv show filmed in Georgia, and Marvel Studios to share their thoughts on the situation.
Meanwhile, many LGBTQ advocates are expressing how unjust Bill 375 really is. For instance, Marty Rouse, who’s the national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, said:
“Plain and simple – SB 375 is discrimination dressed up as a ‘solution’ to a fake problem.”
“It creates an unnecessary hardship for potential LGBTQ adoptive or foster parents in Georgia and primarily harms the children looking for a loving home.”
