Post by Logan on Jan 13, 2016 18:35:28 GMT -6
Bill lets businesses refuse services to gay couples in Georgia
Florists, bakers or any other private business owner could refuse service to gay couples getting married in Georgia, under legislation filed Wednesday that is likely to inflame the battle at the Capitol over religious freedom and gay rights.
House Bill 756 would allow business owners to cite religious beliefs in refusing goods or services for a “matrimonial ceremony” — a blunt assessment of conservatives’ outrage after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June state prohibitions on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional.
The bill represents the worst fears of gay rights advocates and others who have fought the last two years against other so-called religious liberty legislation. One of the most prominent bills, Senate Bill 129, remains tabled in a House committee after moderate Republicans and Democrats attached anti-discrimination language that supporters say gutted the bill.
SB 129, however, makes no provision allowing businesses to refuse services to gay weddings for religious reasons and its sponsor, state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, has said repeatedly that he has no anti-gay agenda.
Continue reading at www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/bill-lets-businesses-refuse-services-to-gay-couple/np4gW/ .
Florists, bakers or any other private business owner could refuse service to gay couples getting married in Georgia, under legislation filed Wednesday that is likely to inflame the battle at the Capitol over religious freedom and gay rights.
House Bill 756 would allow business owners to cite religious beliefs in refusing goods or services for a “matrimonial ceremony” — a blunt assessment of conservatives’ outrage after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June state prohibitions on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional.
The bill represents the worst fears of gay rights advocates and others who have fought the last two years against other so-called religious liberty legislation. One of the most prominent bills, Senate Bill 129, remains tabled in a House committee after moderate Republicans and Democrats attached anti-discrimination language that supporters say gutted the bill.
SB 129, however, makes no provision allowing businesses to refuse services to gay weddings for religious reasons and its sponsor, state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, has said repeatedly that he has no anti-gay agenda.
Continue reading at www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/bill-lets-businesses-refuse-services-to-gay-couple/np4gW/ .