Thanks, McKoon. You’ve been a big help.



Begin forwarded message:

From: "Bryan Long, Better Georgia" <bryan@bettergeorgia.com>
Subject: Thanks, McKoon. You've been a big help.
Date: August 31, 2015 at 7:46:17 AM EDT
To: "Dan Matthews" <danjmatt@bellsouth.net>


Better Georgia 

State Sen. Josh McKoon hasn't changed any of his harsh views on gays and lesbians but he has dramatically changed his rhetoric.

And for that, we can only say "Thank You!!"

He's changed so much, in fact, that he is now known nationally as the Republican who lifted the curtain on the true purpose of "religious freedom" bills.

Slate Magazine: The Georgia GOP Is in a Civil War Over Anti-Gay "Religious Liberty" Bill

Like most conservatives, McKoon initially peddled the laughable line that his bill wasn't intended to undercut LGBT rights. But when a moderate Republican called his bluff, proposing a simple amendment to clarify that the bill did not legalize discrimination, McKoon let the façade drop. "That amendment," he fumed, "would completely undercut the purpose of the bill." With those words, McKoon finally admitted what so many would not: The whole point of "religious liberty" bills is to nullify LGBT nondiscrimination measures.

Text StopH8

Just last week Sen. McKoon was caught on video blasting Delta Air Lines, Home Depot and other Georgia companies because, as "outsiders," they don't share his values. These companies are outrageous enough to conduct business fairly with everyone, without discrimination.

This is how Slate describes Sen. McKoon's newest argument:

McKoon should be commended for his honesty. Sure, he's cribbing the tactics of Southern white supremacist groups in the civil rights era, who regularly complained that groups like the NAACP were just outside agitators who didn't share or understand Southern values. But in doing so, he has abandoned the pretense that his bill is about anything other than legally disadvantaging LGBT people.

Sen. McKoon's bill has failed twice.

And with your support, it will fail for the third time in the next session.

Georgia's legislators must decide whether to stand with clergy of many faiths and beliefs to oppose the bill or with Sen. McKoon and his small band of evangelical pastors.

They must decide whether to stand with Georgia businesses or with Sen. McKoon's talk radio instigators.

They must decide whether to stand with their own constituents who oppose writing any form of discrimination into Georgia law or with Sen. McKoon and his antagonistic rhetoric.

Everyday, Sen. McKoon makes the decision easier. And for that, we can say nothing else but "Thank You!"

Sincerely,
Bryan Long
Executive Director
Better Georgia

P.S.  We know this will be a tough fight and that legislators are most swayed when they hear from you -- a real, live voter in their district. Text STOPH8 to 30644 to join the fight against discrimination in Georgia. We'll tell you when Sen. McKoon is up to new tricks and action is needed.

 
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