Saying that he wishes to take a stand against discrimination, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has decided to veto a religious liberty bill that would have allowed pastors and non-profit, faith-based organisations to deny services and jobs to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Deal was pressured to veto the bill after major corporations that conduct business in Georgia threatened to boycott the state if nothing is done to preserve the rights of the LGBT community there, according to Christian News.
"As I've said before, I do not think we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia, of which I and my family have been a part for all of our lives," Deal said during a press conference on Monday.
House Bill 757, also known as the Pastor Protection Act and the Religious Freedom Protection Act, would have allowed Christians to turn down services and jobs to the LGBT community without being charged with discrimination. The bill was supposed to uphold religious freedom, but critics have deemed it "anti-LGBT" and "appalling."
Deal said it has not been easy pleasing both sides—the faith-based community and the LGBT community. Hence, he based his decision to veto the bill from the fact that Georgia is a "welcoming" state that is "filled with warm, friendly, and loving people."
"Some of those in the religious community who support this bill have resorted to insults that question my moral convictions and my character. Some within the business community who oppose this bill have resorted to threats of withdrawing jobs from our state," he said. "I do not respond well to insults or threats."
Deal believes that the locals of Georgia can work side-by-side without being prejudiced against "the colour of our skin, or the religion we adhere to."
Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Crane, a Georgia legislator who supported the religious liberty bill, is planning to override Deal's veto and has already called for a special session of the state Senate. He told CNN that Deal's decision was the perfect example of how corporations and lobbyists buy influence with "the political class."
