Georgia Wants to Allow Businesses to Kick Gay People Out of Diners

[geomon666]

Source: Mother Jones

A bill moving swiftly through the Georgia House of Representatives would allow business owners who believe homosexuality is a sin to openly discriminate against gay Americans by denying them employment or banning them from restaurants and hotels.

The proposal, dubbed the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, would allow any individual or for-profit company to ignore Georgia laws—including anti-discrimination and civil rights laws—that "indirectly constrain" exercise of religion. Atlanta, for example, prohibits discrimination against LGBT residents seeking housing, employment, and public accommodations. But the state bill could trump Atlanta's protections.

The Georgia bill, which was introduced last week and was scheduled to be heard in subcommittee Monday afternoon, was sponsored by six state representatives (some of them Democrats). A similar bill has been introduced in the state Senate.

Read more: http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/02/new-bill-georgia-would-allow-businesses-kick-gay-people-out-diners

---

Oh look, another day, another hate bill. This one sponsored by some Democrats too. People have collectively lost their fucking minds.

[gwheezie]

1. these rightwing loons

are going to have to brush up on their gaydar skills.

[TDale313]

4. Sadly, they're exporting this shit.

Since their ability to create a full theocracy here is somewhat hampered by the constitution. See: Uganda, Russia.

[Blue_Tires]

23. Uganda and Russia were the test cases

now they're testing the waters in certain states...

[behrstar]

50. Business owners that want

Business owners that want to "Opt Out" should display swastikas so people will know not to bother them and accidentally infringe on their religious rights. Gosh, even some straight people might prefer not to eat/shop there.

[Blackjackdavey]

52. straight guy here

I guarantee I, and my entire straight family, would opt out of frequenting such establishments. You do not stand alone.

[theHandpuppet]

89. We're counting on millions like you, sir!

[They_Live]

2. Pride is also a sin.

And eating shellfish. Avarice is a sin. Coveting. Taking the lord's name in vain.


The world has really gone even crazier this year. I didn't think it was possible.

[TDale313]

3. I'm so sick of the hate, seriously.

Why is it so hard for people to treat each other as, ya know, people? Sometimes it just feels like

[atreides1]

5. Because hate is easy...

And hatred based on a twisted view of religion, where the "believer" can justify their hatred by putting the blame at God's door, is easier!

The only difference between these "Christians" and the Taliban, is where they live....

[SoapBox]

7. +100

[TDale313]

9. You're not wrong. n/t

[Marje]

10. Agreed

The ONLY way Republicans can get votes these days is to gin up the hatred... hatred against, you know, anyone they pick at the moment... women, gays, brown-skinned people, black-skinned people, immigrants (legal and not so), American Indians, Jews ... Girl Scounts ... the homeless ... the unemployed... it's that kind of hatred that gets a certain ilk of people out to the ballot boxes.

Pathetic.

[wocaonimabi]

32. Hate em back, it is refreshing! I hate Republicans each and every one of them and yes I

would hate your Republican (Insert your Repuke Relation/Friend) too.

If they claim to be different they LIE they ENABLE the Rest of the Republicans.

I would say precisely what we need to do with Republicans but that would violate the TOS.

[SoapBox]

6. Is ALEC behind these bills, that are sprouting up?

They all sound the same.

[jsr]

15. ALEC calling gay people pedophiles and a major “health risk”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/alec-anti-gay-documents_n_4386318.html

[freshwest]

93. More crap from the Kochroaches! Thanks for the link. nt

[Marje]

8. Strange ... but this could be a positive

It is another nail in the coffin of "ol'-time religion" in this country ... except, of course, among the pathetically bigoted. And, let's face it, we'll always have the pathetically bigoted and we need to tolerate them too. But, as time goes by, their numbers are becoming fewer and fewer, in part, because of the very politicians creating such acts as the interestingly named "Preservation of Religious Freedom Act".

I say, go for it guys... show us who you really are and become the perfect BAD EXAMPLE for all!

Your horrid bill will eventually be overturned, but you'll always own the disgrace of having created it.

[dhill926]

55. Agreed....

[James48]

11. Georgia too?

[efhmc]

22. Excellent.

[bullwinkle428]

33. +1000

[SoapBox]

57. +1000

Billboards all over Georgia...then let's see how far the PukeTerrorists get in the next elections.

[totodeinhere]

12. Arizona, Georgia, Uganda, Russia.

I think as Americans we need to come to terms with the fact that discrimination against the LGBT community remains alive and well. Yes we have made much progress in America and there is no turning back. The tide of full rights for LGBT's is irreversible although there will continue to be a few temporary setbacks along the way. But world-wide we have a long way to go.

[Renew Deal]

16. The people that support hate bills in the US wish they could do what Uganda and Russia are doing.

And if they say no they are lying.

[n2doc]

13. I see the Koch-roaches are back at work

God I am sick of these scum.

[blkmusclmachine]

73. Koch products in your grocery store: Angel Soft, Brawny, Dixie cups, Vanity Fair, Quilted Northern,

and Sparkle. Anything manufactured by Georgia Pacific.

[OKNancy]

14. I just posted a really good read in "Good Reads"

I think it's worth a look. http://www.democraticunderground.com/101686169

[irisblue]

104. thank you for that posting

I would never have seen that otherwise.

[YOHABLO]

17. Let's just see them try ... we need some red meat to get these ..>

queens in Atlanta fired up. There is no activism here .. not since the early days of the AIDs crisis. I would say that it is unconstitutional .. so there is no way it could ever be passed. To hear that there are Dems sponsoring this .. is even more disturbing, but not surprising .. I live in ATL .. and believe me, it is a cesspool of radical queer haters. But then it's the middle of the bible belt .. go figure.

[starroute]

38. You're suggesting sit-ins? That sounds like fun.

Somebody needs to do up some new verses to "We Shall Not Be Moved" to go along with it.

[azurnoir]

18. What major companies are doing business in Georgia?

as is happening in Arizona can, should, and most likely will happen in Georgia if this bill passes
that being a major financial hit to tourism and business

[DeadLetterOffice]

27. Coca Cola & Turner Broadcasting

Both are based in Atlanta

[azurnoir]

30. That could be a start

I'm not sure just how much tourism business Georgia does, however hitting the bottom line is what speaks the loudest and it's up to companies Coca Cola to speak out

[OldHippieChick]

53. Delta Air Lines

and Georgia Pacific come to mind - and don't forget one of the world's largest law firms - King & Spalding

[Thor_MN]

102. Georgia Pacific ia a Koch company

It is an independently operated and managed company of Koch Industries.

[Erose999]

97. Theres a shit ton of movies and TV made in GA nowadays. And those guys have a lot of support from

the GOOP.

[dickthegrouch]

19. What was that about taking Beams out of your own eye...

Before trying to take motes out of your neighbor's?

[MissMillie]

20. Seriously? Another one?

There are that many people out there that think legalizing discrimination is a good thing?

[Jansen]

21. I'd kind of like to know which business owners think this is a good thing because..

it would make it easier to avoid them.

Here in Seattle I frequent the Hi Spot and it definitely has a LGBT friendly feeling, which as a straight person, makes me feel welcome!

Therefore, I continue to brunch there and recommend it to friends, co-workers, and family.

[bkanderson76]

24. This truly is a comfort to me, as I wish these homosexual wretches as

Last edited Tue Feb 25, 2014, 01:05 PM - Edit history (1)

far from me as possible, and most especially during breakfast when I am shovin them grits down my throat.
Hopefully, these people of Georgia who seethe in their outrage against homosexuality also enact a law soon decreeing that any woman over the age of 13 who is not pregnant be put to death, which is only about time, I say.
Georgia....people do lap up the repeated failures of their society like a dog its vomit.

[trishtrash]

25. Well, who's surprised!

Things are downright ugly in the capitol of my beautiful state right now. It's sickening and frightening. We are now the sister state of Arizona in lot of ways. The gunner folks are as busy as the haters ... bills pending to allow guns on school campuses, bars, etc. Hospitals in rural areas are closing because Georgia won't accept federal Medicaid funds. How did it come to this?

[Le Taz Hot]

26. Sponsored by some Democrats?????

Fuck me!

[closeupready]

28. Name and shame the bill's sponsors, and kick them out.

[KamaAina]

29. I consider this to be a personal affront.

1) One of my favorite human beings is a gay Georgian. She generally does not frequent diners , but it's the principle of the thing.

2) Way back in the '90s, I participated in a very creative sit-in at a Cracker Barrel restaurant outside Atlanta. At the time, Cracker Barrel was openly discriminating against LGBT employees. We all got in line and waited for tables. We all ordered iced tea. Once we had the place filled up, we started chanting "Bigotry! Bigotry!" As we left, we left big, fat tips so the workers wouldn't be harmed by our action.

[TexasTowelie]

42. A very creative and effective response.

Occupy every table and camp out there so it impacts the restaurant's take for the day without generating any animosity among the employees. I would have stayed there for awhile also, let the owners call the cops and see what charges they could trump up.

The only thing missing is that the sit-in should be repeated weekly until they publicly renounce and apologize for their bigotry.

[Thinkingabout]

51. Good thought, continue to sit and expect them to keep your water glass filled.

[Hoyt]

31. The haters just gotta hate. Will this crud ever stop?

[Solly Mack]

34. Fuckers

[cosmicone]

35. Stupid repukes in order to chase a small demographic

they are alienating a wide swath of American Republicans and Independents.

The irony is that the demographic they are chasing already votes for them -- so it is net fucking loss but they're too stupid to realize it.

[blkmusclmachine]

74. As we see in DC, the Repukes don't need a numerical majority to get their pet legislation passed.

All they need is a loud mouth, and some quisling "Democrats."

[jwirr]

36. These laws are rediculous and make me remember the old days when we thought we could tell what

a persons sexual persuasion was just by looking at them. So what they are saying is that no two people of the same sex can have lunch together in their diners. We can only go if it is two different sexes. That will really cut down on business.

[EC]

37. Why on earth would a

Democrat even put their name on something like this? Shame.

[blkmusclmachine]

75. Bipartisanship???

[vkkv]

39. It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if -

it acquires the political power to do so. -Robert A. Heinlein, science-fiction author (1907-1988)

I'm still waiting for TX, MO, OK, KS, AZ and the ENTIRE South to secede so we can get going on that BORDER FENCE.

[Brigid]

54. You might like this:

"Better Off Without 'Em" by Chuck Thompson.

[TexasTowelie]

40. Was Paula Deen a co-sponsor?

[Jake Stern]

41. Integration 2.0

Replace the word "homosexual" with the word "Negro" and you'll have a law right out of the 50's.

After all didn't many a Bible Believin' Christian across the country claim that forcing them to serve Blacks or interracial couples would violate their conscience?

[PSPS]

43. Don't forget "the blacks." The Curse of Ham and all that, you know. Gawd says so!1!!1!

[Fuddnik]

44. I've got to drive up and down I-95 through Georgia on Friday and Monday.

I'm not going to spend one fucking nickel in that state.

[Bluenorthwest]

45. Some of the sponsors are 'Democrats'. We know what kind of 'Democrat' too.

DNC needs to speak out against this and fast. If they don't, all bets are off.

[Beacool]

47. Dixiecrats that never switched parties.

[QC]

65. I don't think so.

Bob Bryant
http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=70&Session=23


Mack Jackson
http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=738&Session=23

[awoke_in_2003]

70. You would think

That they would know the evils of discrimination

[warrant46]

105. Its the Baptist Church

And its take on Leviticus-- lots of black baptist church attendees haven't analyzed the connection between racism and homophobia

Just look at who voted against legalizing gay marriage in CA a few years ago

[Beacool]

46. The problem with this country is that we are not one nation.

We are a poorly stitched quilt of 50 little nations, and some of those little nations are comprised of bigots. That's the difference between a republic and our form of government. I have lived in other countries and some hick province couldn't get away with the kind of discrimination that some states get away with in the US.

It's as if the civil rights and women's rights movements never existed. What did that generation fight for if we have to keep re-fighting the same battles over and over again?

Sometimes this country makes me sick and embarrassed.

[TNNurse]

48. Since I have no idea

Who is going to identify who is gay and who is not, can we get some badges to wear? I am not gay, but if this passes, I want to go to my "home state" (sigh) and wear one every time I go into a restaurant and make them embarrass themselves by throwing me out,

Some people who identify themselves as Christians are certainly going out of the way to show that they have no idea how to be one.

[theHandpuppet]

91. The Nazis already contributed the design

Last edited Wed Feb 26, 2014, 08:45 AM - Edit history (1)

The pink triangle.

[MrScorpio]

49. Seeing how Georgia has some of the largest gay communities in the South...

These people must REALLY hate getting paid.

[grimjacx]

56. Freedom!

I was going to come out against this as they are making all us Georgians look bad, but after reading the bill, it pretty much allows you to do whatever you want in violation of any of them burdensome laws, if you just claim, "religion" sincerely, and it doesn't have to be a really big part of your religion either...

'Exercise of religion' means the practice or observance of religion under Article I,
25 Section I, Paragraphs III and IV of the Constitution of this state and the free exercise
26 clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, including, but not
27 limited to, the right to act or refuse to act in a manner substantially motivated by a
28 sincerely held religious tenet or belief whether or not the exercise is compulsory or a
29 central part or requirement of the person's religious tenets or beliefs.'

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

So, pick a religion and interpret it to not require you to follow any law at all , and voila, GA is actually the most free state ever.

Thank you gentlemen for removing the restraints of government from us all...
Preservation of Religious Freedom Act; enact
Sponsored By (HB)

(1) Teasley, Sam 37th(2) Ramsey, Matt 72nd(3) Welch, Andrew 110th

(4) Casas, David 107th

Sponsored By (SB)
(1) McKoon, Joshua 29th(2) Shafer, David 48th(3) Ligon, Jr., William 3rd

None of these fine gentlemen are Democrats. If there were any, they have already removed their names.

The only things I ask, if passed, are that the sponsors agree to personally finance the legal defense of the bill before it is ultimately declared unconstitutional, they be barred from sponsoring any additional legislation of any type, and they ultimately be removed from office if their idiot constituents won't vote them out.

[blkmusclmachine]

76. Also called the 20th Century Nullification Act.

[Caeser67]

58. Georgia

Doesn't have a Super Bowl in its future yet, so until then we should drop a cup of ice and a snowball on it, to keep them all in the house.

[Politicalboi]

59. After the Zombie Apocalypse

I would never go to Georgia.

Sharia law in Georgia. Who would have thought.

[Hosnon]

60. UPDATE: Hearing postponed - MORE PRESSURE NEEDED

From Georgia Equality: "The chairman chose to reschedule the hearing for later this week so that more room and time can be provided to accommodate everyone who is interested in showing their opposition to this bill."

Keep the pressure on, folks!!!

Representative Wendell Willard is the Chairman: 404-656-5125

Representative Barry Fleming is the Vice-Chairman: 404-656-0152

[bullwinkle428]

67. My guess is that GA state legislators won't want to "waste time" listening

to people outside of Georgia.

[fascisthunter]

61. "That One Doesn't Look Right... get them up against the Wall!"

Bigots are some freaky weird people.

[SCVDem]

62. Georgia needs to be reminded

Just how much revenue the tv and movie industry spends in their state.

Don't piss oft Hollywood!

[Behind the Aegis]

68. YUP! That was my first thought too.

[hueymahl]

63. Welcome to Georgia!

I live in Atlanta. It is a great city. Truly. Has plenty of problems, but a great, mostly progressive city.

And it has something else that is special - the ability to time travel. All you have to do is drive 40 minutes outside the city and you are transported back 40 years in time. And keep going north, east or west, and you can go all the way back to the 1950's.

[Hosnon]

64. That's not really fair.

Just like with most of the rest of the country, it's a rural/urban thing. Athens, Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon are fairly forward thinking (for example, the mayors of each one of those cities proclaims "Gay Day" for their respective Pride festivals).

[hueymahl]

82. Athens yes, Macon no

I've lived in both, and Macon is as redneck as they come. You are right, Athens is very progressive. Great town. Spent some time in Augusta. LOTS of racism. Can't speak to Savannah or Columbus, though I would find it hard to believe that Columbus is very progressive.

There are exceptions in every city. I am speaking in generalizations. And yes, generally, rural south means bigots and racists.

[Hosnon]

84. You changed your position.

I agree that rural anywhere generally means more bigotry. But you initially stated that "not-Atlanta" means more bigotry.

[hueymahl]

99. Admittedly, it was a generalization.

And I was trying to use a little humor to make a point. Sorry to offend.

[Tom Ripley]

66. Honestly, when has Georgia ever been on the right side of history?

ight

[trishtrash]

77. Once we had a great Democratic governor who went on to the president. Remember?

[blkmusclmachine]

78. HA!

[Erose999]

98. GA was the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Of course, the Feds shut that down real quick.

That was like 30 years ago.

[madrchsod]

69. gays are the new blacks

georgia can no longer overtly discriminate against african americans so they had to find another group.

another state to cross off my list of places to visit

[sinkingfeeling]

71. Kind of like they did with the blacks back in those good, old days of the 1950s?

[blkmusclmachine]

72. "..was sponsored by six state representatives (some of them Democrats)."

That's "bi-partisanship" you can beLIEve in, bay-bee!!!

[KinMd]

79. The Masters golf tournament is at Augusta (Ga) Country Club in April..

would any sponsors boycott it? I'm betting no golfers would (Tiger, Phil Mickelson?)

[DeSwiss]

80. Hey, Georgia House of Representatives!

[center][/center]

K&R

[Skittles]

81. this is really the last gasp of the shrinking bigoted / racist redneck asshole voters

[geomon666]

83. I really hope so.

I'm getting really tired of this crap and I'm only in my 30's. I can't imagine people who have been fighting this their whole lives, 70-80 years or more.

[Skittles]

85. what kills me is

I find it utterly sickening and shameful and I'm not even gay or black or whatever it is that offends these folk - I just cannot imagine actually being the target of these assholes (besides being a rabid liberal )

[geomon666]

86. You know better than I

Being liberal is enough for these people.

[npk]

88. Here is a list of other states that are considering such despicable laws.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/20/state-anti-gay-bills_n_4823490.html

Looks like there are quite a few states that are popping up with bills that would discriminate against gays. Maine, Idaho, Tennessee, Oregon, Kansas and South Dakota are just a few states that have introduced similar bills.

[MadrasT]

90. Un. Fucking. Believable.

Oh yeah, this is going to fly in Atlanta... NOT.

Between the anti gay bills and the anti woman bills, this country has gone well and truly off the rails.

How do these bills not get laughed off the table?

Oh right... HATE.

[OldRedneck]

92. I'm beginning to think Lincoln was wrong

How nice it would be today if he had just let these &^#%$@^* goobers go their way.

[FiveGoodMen]

96. Yup. Had the same thought MANY times!

[dembotoz]

94. how the hell can you tell gay from straight--i can't

should they have to sew a rainbow star on their coats

[freshwest]

95. All these dipshit laws are based on the subjective opinions of hyper paranoid morans. They can't

possibility know any more than they knew when they passed their dumbass law about people being from Mexico or being illegal from their accent.

I know people whose families have been Americans for centuries or more and still have an accent.

If a man giggles or a woman doesn't wear make up or a dress, does that define what they are? What the hell is it with people paying such close attention to others?

Don't they have anything else to do with their time? Are they so bored they need to get their jollies judging everything about strangers, running a dirty movie in their head everytime a person walks by?

What is it that they expect gays *to do* in their establishments that's so offensive? Do they offer hetero porn just to be sure who's gay?

I can't help but feel this is a filthy diversion from what they are really all about, like scaring their cult followers.

Because as I tell people, this won't end with the gays in case straights don't feel threatened by this. Eventually they'll get around to everyone that is not in their cult!

I wonder if a case for restraint of commerce could be filed or something like that. If a business is incorporated in an area, they should obey EEOC rules against discrimination.

And where is the ACLU?

[warrprayer]

100. what kind of democrat

would sign off on a sick piece of shit bill like this?

[guzman88]

101. good post

good post [url=http://www.hvycabogadosmadrid.com]Abogados Madrid[/url]

[cvoogt]

103. um hummm

forget about the religious freedom of gays .. that matters not when compared with the religious freedom of the oppressed Christian majority.