Out singer Sir Elton John has come out
against a proposed Georgia bill which seeks to allow business owners
to refuse service based on their religious beliefs.
Many believe that Senate Bill 129,
which cleared the Senate last week, is targeted at the LGBT
community. Opponents have dubbed it a “license to discriminate.”
John, a part-time resident of Atlanta,
denounced the proposed legislation in an op-ed for the Atlanta
Journal Constitution.
“Simply put, this bill is a wolf in
sheep's clothing,” John wrote. “It promises religious freedom,
but let's be clear: No one's religious freedom is at risk! Both the
Georgia Constitution and U.S. Constitution very explicitly protect
this right.”
“What SB 129 will really do is
institutionalize the hate some people hold in their hearts against
other people. It will turn back the clock on the progress we have
made – not only in the fight against HIV, but also in the struggle
for a more equal and just society.”
“To be clear, I firmly believe in
freedom of religion. Everyone has the right to worship as they
choose. But I also believe in justice, equality and the rule of law.
We can't just let people refuse to follow a law because they don't
like it. And we can't just grant special exemptions that allow
people to discriminate at will,” he added.