This legislation has long been a priority for GA Governor Kemp, who pledged to sign such legislation into law during his 2018 campaign
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, the Georgia Senate approved legislation that opens the door to LGBTQ+ discrimination based on religious beliefs. LGBTQ+ advocates are sounding the alarm that the legislation would result in long-ranging discrimination, from denying queer couples the ability to adopt children and access child care, to refusing hotel rooms for LGBTQ+ individuals. This so-called “religious rights proposal” removes fundamental protections for LGBTQ+ folks, and unfortunately, it’s very likely to become law given the Republican trifecta in Georgia. The bill has long been on Republican Governor Brian Kemp’s wishlist – during his 2018 campaign, he vowed to sign such legislation into law.
LGBTQ+ discriminatory bills in legislatures are sweeping the nation in states with Republican majorities. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have already been introduced in nearly 40 states around the country in 2024, showing that attacking this community has become a mainstay priority for the Republican party.
The Republican trifecta in Georgia is one of the most extreme in the country, which is why building Democratic power in Georgia is one of the DLCC’s top priorities. Just this week, the DLCC unveiled our multi-cycle strategy memo, where we outline our plans to invest in long-term infrastructure in states like Georgia to eventually win the majority of state legislatures by 2030.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Communications Director Abhi Rahman issued the following statement:
“Protecting religious liberty should never come at the expense of fundamental protections for LGBTQ+ communities. It’s unconscionable that a bill so egregious could pass in 2024 – this legislation opens the door to deny LGBTQ+ Georgians access to basic services and fundamental rights. My heart goes out to the Georgia LGBTQ+ community, who could soon be denied opportunities to build their families and access to public spaces. This proposal is very likely to become law and is sadly just the latest in a slew of dangerous policies pursued by the Republican trifecta in Georgia, and the latest in LGBTQ+ hate perpetuated by Republicans across the country. The DLCC is committed to laying the groundwork now to build Democratic power and chip away at Republicans’ unchecked power in states like Georgia. The DLCC will continue to sound the alarm on GOP extremism and build towards cementing Democratic power in a majority of state legislatures by 2030.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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