News & Commentary

ACLU of Georgia Policy Counsel Ben Lynde was quoted in a revealing investigative report published this weekend by The Intercept that shows the Georgia Army National Guard plans to combine two deeply controversial practices to persuade teens to enlist.

In addition to the steadfast work of the ACLU of Georgia’s Policy and Advocacy team, we rely on volunteers to be our eyes and ears during the state legislative session every year.

Georgians suffered some damaging blows during the 2023 legislative session due to bills that unnecessarily target the poor, transgender children and their families, and voters. We saw some big wins, however. Read on to learn more.

The finish line of the 2023 Georgia legislative session is in sight. Monday marks the penultimate day of the session, and many bills may come up for a vote in either chamber at the drop of a hat or be pushed to the wayside, not to see passage this session.

Misguided, draconian laws are being used to punish and chill legitimate political protest.

The ACLU of Georgia and many other LGBTQ+ allies were at the Capitol today when the Senate discussed and ultimately passed Senate Bill 140, the current version of which includes a harmful amendment adding harsh penalties for doctors who provide gender-affirming care to youth.

It was yet another busy week under the Gold Dome, during what one ACLU of Georgia attorney dubbed the “silly season” of the state’s legislative session, a period when lawmakers may push harmful bills as quickly as possible and with little notice to prevent opponents from mobilizing.

“The latest federal data on the well-being of American kids found LGBTQ students were much more likely to have experienced all forms of violence and worse mental health outcomes than straight youths.”

Georgia lawmakers passed Senate Bill 140 along party lines in the Senate late Monday night, Crossover Day, to the dismay of the ACLU of Georgia and the numerous LGBTQ+ organizations and advocates who have been speaking out against this harmful piece of legislation.