News

Log Cabin Republicans of Georgia Denounces Religious Freedom Restoration Act

March 6, 2015

Atlanta, Georgia - Today, Log Cabin Republicans of Georgia denounced the proposed Religious Freedom Restoration Act, advanced by Sen. Josh McKoon (R-29) and Rep. Sam Teasley (R-Columbus). Under this legislation, business owners could have legal grounds to deny service to same-sex couples based on objections to their sexual orientation.

The Georgia chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans is voicing strong opposition to the bill, claiming that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act would authorize the use of religion as license to discriminate.

Log Cabin Republicans National Chairman, and Georgia resident, Jamie Ensley warns of the bill's dangerous implications: "Let's talk about some of the very serious unintended consequences of this legislation. It would allow, for example, emergency workers the legal right to refuse treatment to anyone in a medical emergency they feel is not worthy based on their own interpretation of the Bible."

Ensley continued, "The authors of this legislation contend that it will only protect people, their beliefs, and their religious practices. But this this legislation reaches much deeper than that, it will also make it legal to refuse housing, services, deny employment, and violate others' rights just because of a person's interpretation of their particular religion."

Log Cabin Republicans of Georgia also contends that the legislation would hurt Georgia's economy, citing a number of major national corporations-such as Apple, American Airlines, and the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company-are some of the most vocal advocates of workplace equality.

According to Enlsey, "Businesses know it's better for their bottom line to operate in states with laws that make employees feel safe, welcome and productive-not hostile laws like this current piece of legislation." He continued, "That's why the vast majority-89 percent-of Fortune 500 companies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

"People of faith know that religion is not something meant to harm others. That's why we're now standing up and speaking out against this bill in Georgia," concluded Ensley.