Release: Stacey Abrams To March In Atlanta Pride Parade In Support Of LGBTQ Community

Statement

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate and Former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams will march in this weekend's Atlanta Pride Parade, where she will celebrate the contributions and resilience of the LGBTQ community. Abrams is the first gubernatorial nominee in Georgia's history to march in the Atlanta Pride Parade.

Leader Abrams released the following statement about the Pride Week celebrations:

"Pride is a time to celebrate the diversity and strength of our LGBTQ community, and I am honored to be a part of the celebration," saidLeader Abrams. "I am the only candidate in this race with a record of working to protect Georgia's LGBTQ community from discrimination. As Minority Leader, I opposed bills that sought to legalize discrimination and I will do the same as Governor. I will also expand Medicaid in Georgia to address the HIV epidemic that is sweeping our state and impacting many in the LGBTQ community--particularly men of color."

Stacey Abrams is the only candidate with a proven track record of fighting on behalf of Georgia's LGBTQ community. In 2006, while running for the Georgia House of Representatives, Abrams voiced her support for marriage equality. Abrams also fought RFRA from its inception due to her belief that we should not condone using our laws and using faith as a justification for bigotry. Abrams' support of the LGBTQ community has earned her endorsements from Human Rights Campaign, Georgia Equality, and Georgia Stonewall Democrats.

Background on LGBTQ Rights

Throughout her career in public service, Stacey Abrams has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting equality for LGBTQ Georgians. From supporting marriage equality and comprehensive workplace protections to opposing any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Stacey Abrams is ready to build a stronger, brighter state where the gates of opportunity are open to every Georgian.

Stacey Abrams consistently opposed discriminatory legislation during her tenure in the Georgia House of Representatives. Year after year, she has been a vocal critic of legislation that would enshrine discrimination in to state law under the guise of promoting religious freedom.
In 2016, Abrams voted against HB 757, a combined version of the Pastor Protection Act and the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), which critics warned would allow taxpayer-funded groups to deny services to members of the LGBTQ community. She was joined by the ACLU, Georgia Equality, and members of the business community in her opposition. Abrams has also been a strong advocate for protecting and ensuring equal rights for LGBTQ couples: she endorsed same sex marriage in 2006 and cosponsored HB 323, to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation within state agencies.
Stacey Abrams is Committed to Defending the Rights of LGBTQ Georgians

An effective government must protect civil rights and fight discrimination based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status, disability, or gender identity.
In January, Stacey Abrams announced an economic mobility plan that includes workplace protections as essential to the economic security of every family. Many states prohibit employers from discriminating based on factors such as race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, pregnancy, and disability. Georgia does not have an employment-related discrimination law for private employers.
We envision a fair and diverse economy for all Georgians--which means full inclusion. We will:
Advance protections for all workers by championing robust anti-discrimination laws.
Ensure that protections against harassment within the executive branch are strong, comprehensive, and just.
Work collaboratively with legislators to define the rules of conduct, construct clear pathways for complaints, require sexual harassment prevention programs and training, and ensure appropriate penalties.
Reform the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity into the Georgia Commission on Human Rights. This restructured commission will have the ability to set clear pathways for harassment complaints, be a referral point for Georgia workers, and oversee mediation or investigations into harassment for those workers who do not fall under federal purview.
Background on RFRA and Other Discriminatory Bills

Leader Abrams has been a steadfast opponent of discriminatory bills that would leave out the voices of some communities in Georgia and drive away the film and entertainment industries.

Stacey Abrams has consistently opposed discriminatory bills that would allow businesses to refuse to hire and serve LGBTQ applicants and customers. She has voted against state RFRA/FADA legislation and advocated against LGBTQ adoption restrictions.
Major production companies such as Disney, Netflix, Viacom, Time Warner, Fox, Sony, MGM, CVS, and Comcast-NBC Universal have echoed this opposition, with several threatening an outright boycott of the state if such legislation were to pass. In Georgia, the governor is the person who will stop anti-LGBTQ bills from becoming law as the legislature continues to pass these bills. As governor, she would veto any such legislation.

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