News & Commentary

It was another extremely busy week under the Gold Dome. Georgia lawmakers pushed forward a harmful anti-voting omnibus bill, tabled a vaguely written “don’t say gay” bill, and passed a measure in the House protecting pregnant workers following some pointed testimony from one of our policy advocates.

Today, we had a tremendous turnout for ACLU of Georgia’s Student Lobby Day. Students from East Coweta High School, Georgia Southern University, Emory University, and other schools learned about the legislative process and helped inform lawmakers about several high-priority pieces of legislation.

Georgia lawmakers have introduced several anti-voting bills, ultimately aimed at making it harder for people to have their voices heard during future elections. We oppose these bills because steps should be taken to make it easier to vote in Georgia, not harder.

To kick off this week of legislative action, we joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority today for the 2023 Delta Day at the Capitol. ACLU of Georgia staff helped plan the event, during which members of the historic sorority were fired up to help advocate for social change and impactful public policy.

So far during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session, lawmakers have introduced at least four bills attacking LGBTQ rights, especially transgender youth. We’re tracking these attacks at the Capitol and working with partners to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

ACLU of Georgia Board member Monica Helms is among LGBTQ+ Atlantans featured in “Out Down South,” an exhibit at the National Center for Civil & Human Rights in Atlanta.

This week at the Capitol, we were thankful for the opportunity to testify against this bill, as public testimony was cut short, leaving dozens of Georgians who signed up to speak waiting for their next opportunity.

ACLU of Georgia Policy Counsel Ben Lynde, raising concerns before the Senate Judiciary Committee about Senate Bill 44, which increases penalties for people charged under the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

It’s possible to become more involved in Georgia’s legislative process, as the roughly two dozen people who participated in the ACLU of Georgia Lobby Day learned this week.