May 17, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

At Human Rights Campaign’s LA dinner, a call to arms against ‘religious freedom” bills

Chad to Hollywood

BY KAREN OCAMB  |  In every word, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin packs the know-how of a successful Los Angeles-based political consultant infused with the emotional energy of fighting for a righteous cause: the liberation of LGBT people from the shackles of discrimination and securing full equality now.  Griffin has planted the HRC flag in the national and international marriage equality effort, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, the halls of Congress calling on the Senate to #DoYourJob in granting a hearing for President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court, and pressuring business leaders such as Apple’s out CEO Tim Cook to threaten anti-LGBT states with financial ruin if they enact so-called “religious liberty” bills.

And no one, not even his Hollywood friends, are immune from his friendly but intense lobbying.

On March 19, Griffin told an audience of about 1,000 at HRC’s L.A. Gala about the pressure being put on Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to veto a “license to discriminate” bill similar to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act that is now sitting on Deal’s desk.  The bill would allow religious organizations the right to refuse to hire or retain LGBT employees and would deny use of facilities for any event they find “objectionable,” based on religious beliefs or practices.

Griffin noted that the NFL threatened Georgia’s hope to host the Super Bowl if Deal signed the bill. “NFL policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in a statement. “Whether the laws and regulations of a state and local community are consistent with these policies would be one of many factors NFL owners may use to evaluate potential Super Bowl host sites.”

A coalition of several hundred businesses under the umbrella Georgia Prospers has also called on Deal to veto the bill or suffer a loss of business. The coalition includes several Fortune 500 corporations such as AIG, Apple, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Google, Home Depot, Honeywell, IBM, Marriott, Microsoft, Salesforce, UPS, Verizon and Wells Fargo.

With HRC honoring the FOX TV hit “Empire” and successful out producer Nina Jacobson at the Gala, Griffin explained to Hollywood’s business leaders that Georgia is now the third largest state for film production, behind California and New York, according to a 2014 report by the FilmLA research firm. And according to state records, Georgia racked in $1.7 billion in spending from at least 248 film and television productions shot in fiscal 2015, with more than 100 new businesses relocating or expanding. That’s way up from $132.5 million in 2007.

“I know we have many entertainment industry leaders in the room tonight,” Griffin said. “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. And 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.”

Variety’s Ted Johnson notes that Georgia serves as a backdrop for TV shows such as “Vampire Diaries” and “The Walking Dead” and has become “a production hub for mega-budget tentpole pictures. Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” is shooting at Pinewood Studios, and “Captain America: Civil War” shot there last summer.”

“Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels and Bravo’s Andy Cohen are just two of the out producers who would face enormous pressure from HRC and the LGBT community if Deal signs the bill. Daniels is rumored to have a new Fox show based in Georgia and Cohen’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is a key show in the Housewives franchise.

Other entities will also face political pressure. Producer Tyler Perry has studios in Georgia for his movie and TV empire. Atlanta-based CNN’s gay anchors Anderson Cooper and Don Lemon will undoubtedly have to comment on behalf of themselves and their LGBT colleagues. And the U.S. government’s Centers for Disease Control, also based in Atlanta, could face having LGBT employees fighting against HIV stigma by day and facing discrimination once they leave work at night. Would the Justice Department then intervene? And if so, how?

Gov. Deal has until May 3 to sign or veto the anti-LGBT bill.

in LOCAL, NEWS
Related Posts

Yeastie Boys and Netflix Launch Nobody Wants This Bagel Pop-Up for Emmy Season

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Two-Day Event Rolls Through Brentwood on May 17 With Themed Menu In a pitch-perfect blend of street food and streaming...

One Arrested After Attempted Westwood Burglary; Security Guard Fires at Fleeing Suspect

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

LAPD Searching for Three Additional Suspects After Early-Morning Break-in Near UCLA One person is in custody and three others remain...

Maren Morris to Headline Free WeHo Pride Concert on May 30

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

WeHo kicks off Pride Weekend with Friday Night at OUTLOUD Grammy Award-winning artist Maren Morris will headline WeHo Pride Presents...

Boundary Pushing Opera Schoenberg in Hollywood Makes West Coast Premiere at UCLA’s Nimoy Theater

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Multimedia Opera Reimagining the Life of Arnold Schoenberg Debuts May 18–22 Tod Machover’s boundary-pushing chamber opera, Schoenberg in Hollywood, will...

L.A. County Has Canceled $183 Million in Medical Debt for Over 134,000 Residents

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

First Wave of Relief Part to Relieve Medical Debt for Low-Income Angelenos In a major step toward easing the financial...

Santa Monica College Addresses ICE Detention of Student in West L.A.

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

Student Detained by ICE Near Home, Not on Campus Santa Monica College (SMC) has confirmed that one of its students...

Long Beach Pride Breaks Free on May 17–18 with Expanded Festival and Star-Studded Lineup

May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

42nd Annual Celebration to Feature Live Music, Drag Shows, and Cultural Showcases Long Beach Pride™ will officially usher in the...

Film Review: Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning is a ridiculously entertaining action film with a core of what humanity...

Experience You Can Trust, Beards You Can Admire: Economy Roofing’s 75-Year Legacy in Santa Monica CA

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

Driving along Santa Monica Blvd., you may have seen a playful billboard featuring two rugged men with impressively big beards,...

Michelin Guide Adds 13 California Restaurants to 2024 Selection, Including Two in L.A.

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Two Join the Prestigious List as “Recommended” Ahead of the June 25 Awards Ceremony The Michelin Guide unveiled 13 new...

Drag Bingo Returns to ALK in Hollywood May 19 with Foxxy Roxywood

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Fun at the Godfrey Hotel: Cocktails, Prizes, and Late-Night Happy Hour Drag Bingo makes its fabulous return to About Last...

Gaycuterie Vol. 4 Brings Queer Pop-Up Market to Solarc Brewing on May 17

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Event in Eagle Rock to Feature Art, Vintage, Tattoos, Snacks, Custom Portraits A vibrant mix of food, art, and community...

LGBT Center Hosts Free Night Market Spotlighting Queer AANHPI Creatives on May 17

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Free Cultural Event Features Food Vendors, Tea Ceremonies, Drag Shows The Los Angeles LGBT Center, in partnership with Mayumi Market,...

Santa Monica City Council Approves Outdoor Drinking Zone on Third Street Promenade

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

New “Entertainment Zone” Will Allow Alcohol Consumption in Public Spaces If you have ever wished to have a cocktail or...

Outloud Presents Pride @ Bev Returns With Rupaul’s Drag Race Stars, and Fundraising for LGBTQ+ Youth

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Beverly Center to Host Third Annual Pride Celebration May 17 with Drag Shows, Music, and More The Beverly Center will...