Disney Threatens to Boycott Georgia If Governor Signs Anti-Gay Bill
‘Captain America: Civil War’ is one of several Marvel movies to film in Atlanta, business Disney warns it will take elsewhere if Georgia enacts its pending religious liberty bill (Photo: Marvel)
By Gregg Kilday, The Hollywood Reporter
Disney and its Marvel Studios film unit will not film future movies in Georgia if a controversial bill that critics contend would legalize anti-gay discrimination is signed by that state’s governor.
“Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia, we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law,” a company spokesman said Wednesday.
Marvel has filmed such movies as Ant-Man and the upcoming Captain America: Civil War and Guardians of the Galaxy 2 in Atlanta, taking advantage of Georgia’s attractive tax incentives. While Disney’s statement specifically mentioned Marvel, other Disney units like ABC Studios and Disney Studios would also take part in the boycott.
Related: Hollywood Asked to Boycott Georgia if Governor Signs Anti-Gay Law
The Georgia legislature has sent a controversial religious liberty bill to the desk of Gov. Nathan Deal, who has until May 3 to decide whether or not to sign it. The bill, officially titled the Free Exercise Protection Act, says no minister can be forced to perform a same-sex marriage and no individual can be forced to attend one — provisions, which critics point out, are already guaranteed by the First Amendment. It then goes on to say no faith-based organization “shall be required to provide social, educational, or charitable services that violate such faith-based organizations sincerely held religious belief” and that such organizations can’t be forced to “hire or retain as an employee any person whose religious beliefs or practices or lack of either are not in accord with the faith-based organizations sincerely held religious belief.” And it further says government can’t “substantially burden” a person’s exercise of religion unless it involves “a compelling government interest” — thereby extending its protections to individuals.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, the bill “opens the door to discrimination in social services and employment against a wide range of Georgians.” The gay-rights group argues that taxpayer-funded adoption and foster care agencies, homeless shelters, and drug counseling centers would be free to discriminate against LGBT individuals and couples.
On March 19, Chad Griffin, HRC president, appearing at a fund-raising dinner in Los Angeles, urged Hollywood to speak out against the bill, asking filmmakers to boycott the state if the bill becomes law.
Related: Hollywood Thanks Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer for Vetoing Anti-Gay Bill
“I know we have many entertainment industry leaders in the room tonight,“ said Griffin. "Like other states, Georgia offers tax incentives for TV and film productions, and as a result, the entertainment industry has a huge economic footprint in the state. But if this bill is signed into law, your employees, your contractors — all those working on your production are at risk of state-sanctioned discrimination. That is wrong. It’s un-American. It’s an affront on all the values Hollywood prides itself on.”
He continued: “You have the influence and the opportunity to not only defeat this bill, but to send a message that there are consequences to passing dangerous and hateful laws like this. And so tonight, we’re asking you to join us as we urge TV and film studios, directors, and producers, to commit to locating no further productions in the state of Georgia if this bill becomes law.”
The National Football League warned on March 18 that if the bill is enacted into law, it could affect the league’s decision to hold either the 2019 or 2020 Super Bowl in Atlanta, which is currently one of the finalists to host the games. The Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, and Atlanta Hawks have also joined the list of those opposing the bill.
While the Republican governor criticized earlier versions of the bill, threatening to veto any measure that “allows discrimination in our state in order to protect people of faith,” Deal said on March 18 that he was “pleasantly surprised” with the compromise version that was sent to his desk but has not yet indicated whether or not he intends to sign the bill and has until May 3 to decide.
Related: Louisiana’s Anti-Gay Order Won’t Disrupt Its Film Industry, Says ‘Pitch Perfect’ Producer
The bill poses a dilemma for Deal, who is regarded as pro-business, since major corporations headquartered in Atlanta such as Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, and Cox Enterprises have opposed the bill, joining a business coalition called Georgia Prospers that has stated “for Georgia businesses to compete for top talent, we must have workplaces and communities that are diverse and welcoming for all people, no matter one’s race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
The controversy also comes just as Georgia is trumpeting its success in attracting film and television productions to the state, which offers attractive tax credits of up to 30 percent.
On Feb. 22, the governor joined other Georgia officials in celebrating Film Day, at which it was reported that during fiscal year 2015, which ran from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, film and TV productions spent more than $1.7 billion directly in the state, which, in turn, generated a record $6 billion in economic impact.
During fiscal 2015, Georgia played host to 248 feature film, TV movies, and series. Among them were such pics as the current Miracles From Heaven and Allegiant as well as TV series including AMC’s The Walking Dead, The CW’s The Vampire Diaries, and Fox’s Sleepy Hollow.
