Republican majorities passed the bill to broadly protect people acting on their religious beliefs. (Representational Image)
Atlanta:
Georgia's governor today vetoed legislation allowing clergy to refuse performing gay marriages and protecting people who refuse to attend the ceremonies, after an outcry and threats of boycotts from some large corporations and Hollywood stars.
Republican Nathan Deal rejected the bill on Monday, saying, "I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia."
Republican majorities passed the bill to broadly protect people acting on their religious beliefs. It would have protected clergy who won't perform gay marriages and people who won't attend a wedding for religious reasons. Churches and affiliated religious groups also could have declined to serve or hire someone based on their faith.
The bill's opponents said it excused discrimination and could trample local ordinances protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Coca-Cola and other big-name Georgia companies joined the National Football League, prominent Hollywood figures and film studios urging the governor to reject the proposal. Some threatened to boycott the state if Deal didn't veto.
Deal said his decision to reject the bill was "about the character of our state and the character of our people. Georgia is a welcoming state; it is full of loving, kind and generous people."
Republican Nathan Deal rejected the bill on Monday, saying, "I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia."
Republican majorities passed the bill to broadly protect people acting on their religious beliefs. It would have protected clergy who won't perform gay marriages and people who won't attend a wedding for religious reasons. Churches and affiliated religious groups also could have declined to serve or hire someone based on their faith.
The bill's opponents said it excused discrimination and could trample local ordinances protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Coca-Cola and other big-name Georgia companies joined the National Football League, prominent Hollywood figures and film studios urging the governor to reject the proposal. Some threatened to boycott the state if Deal didn't veto.
Deal said his decision to reject the bill was "about the character of our state and the character of our people. Georgia is a welcoming state; it is full of loving, kind and generous people."
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