The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia today applauded Senate Bill 119, comprehensive civil rights legislation introduced in the Georgia General Assembly this week by state Sen. Lester Jackson (D-Savannah). Andrea Young, the executive director of the ACLU of Georgia, issued the following statement:

“This comprehensive civil rights legislation is a powerful testament to the diverse coalition of Georgians who are standing together to oppose discrimination in all of its forms. All Georgians deserve equal protection under the law -- no matter who they are, what they look like, how they pray, or who they love. We applaud Senator Lester Jackson and his co-sponsors for their leadership and urge the General Assembly to pass this much-needed civil rights legislation without delay.”

Currently, Georgia has some of the weakest nondiscrimination protections in the nation. Under SB 119, all persons would be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation without discrimination or segregation on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

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