Disney And AMC Won’t Film In Georgia If Anti-Gay Bill Becomes Law

Disney and its Marvel Studios film unit have decided that it will not continue filming in Georgia if a controversial anti-gay law is passed.

DISNEY THREATENS TO LEAVE GEORGIA IF ANTI-GAY LAW IS PASSED

The Georgia legislature has sent a religious liberty bill to Gov. Nathan Deal, who has until May 3 to decide whether or not he wants to pass it. The bill, titled the Free Exercise Protection Act, says no minister can be forced to perform a same-sex marriage and no individual can be force to attend one.

Disney, Fox, Viacom, AMC, Starz and Lionsgate all have called for the Georgia governor to veto the law thus making it impossible to pass.

“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.

Disney has been an advocate for gay rights and supportive of the LGBT community and are not hesitating to pull all production from the state.

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 mentioned Marvel, other Disney units like ABC Studios and Disney Studios would also take part in the boycott.

AMC, creator of the hit show The Walking Dead has also commented on the law. “As a company, AMC Networks believes that discrimination of any kind is reprehensible. We applaud Governor Deal’s leadership in resisting a previous version of this divisive legislation and urge him to reject the current version as well,” AMC said in a statement. The show is set to start filming this summer in Atlanta.