Disney & Marvel threaten boycott over anti-LGBT bill

Disney and Marvel, two of the biggest entertainment studios, have threatened to stop shooting their productions in the state of Georgia if an anti-LGBT bill becomes law there.

The news follows a call by Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin for Hollywood to take action against the state at the organisation’s recent gala in Los Angeles.

“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,” said a Disney spokesperson.

The anti-gay legislation was approved by Georgia lawmakers and is awaiting the signature or veto of Governor Nathan Deal.

If it becomes law, it would allow businesses and taxpayer-funded religious organisations to discriminate and deny service to LGBT people.

“We applaud Disney and Marvel for standing up for fairness and equality by sending a strong warning to Governor Deal,” said Griffin.

“It’s appalling that anti-LGBT activists in Georgia are trying to pass legislation creating an explicit right to discriminate against LGBT Americans. We urge other studios, major corporations, and fair-minded Georgians to continue speaking out and urging Gov. Deal to veto this heinous piece of legislation sitting on his desk.”

Georgia offers major tax incentives for entertainment companies to film in the state and at least 248 film and television productions were shot there during the 2015 fiscal year.

In addition to Disney and Marvel Studios, sports teams, major corporations, and many businesses have spoken out against the bill. These include the likes of Apple, Dell, Dow Chemical Company, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Hilton, Intel, Live Nation Entertainment, Microsoft, Paypal, Twitter, Unilever and Virgin.