Georgia Tries (and Fails) to Target Boycotting Companies

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2016/3/25/georgia-tries-and-fails-target-boycotting-companies

The Advocate/By Daniel Reynolds March 25 2016 7:28 PM EDT

"The committee added eleventh-hour language to this bill that would have allowed an employee to file suit against a private employer if he or she believed the company violated its own nondiscrimination policy.

This new language, which termed such a violation an "unfair or deceptive practice," specifically targeted Disney, the National Football League, and the slew of other companies that have threatened to boycott Georgia over House Bill 757."

This is kind of weird. It's not clear how it would hurt companies to have to adhere to their own policies. The whole thing doesn't make sense, though maybe I'm missing some point or other.

It is geared to suing companies with anti-discrimination policies that do business overseas in (mostly Muslim) countries that are hostile to LGBT.  The measure failed to be added.

This is part of the whole right wing narrative that essentially states that "yes, we discriminate, but Muslims are worse."  I've heard this one personally.  It doesn't make any sense but I guess it helps them rationalize outright discrimination into their moral framework.


Sapere Aude

This is the most important sentence in the whole article:

"As for HB 757, [Gov.] Deal has until May 3 to decide whether to sign or veto it."

That's over a month from now, people, and that's plenty of time to do any or all of the following: get out there and write to Gov. Deal (politely and respectfully, please ), contact the corporations which have spoken out against the bill and ask them to put their money where their mouths are, contact GA legislators and show them (nicely) who we really are.

And if you have the time, contact groups which are organizing direct action in Georgia and ask how you can participate.

I couldn't understand it at first, but I think the purpose it to get companies to remove their anti-discrimination rules. They would be protected against lawsuits if they didn't have them.