Tyler Perry condemns his state’s new anti-gay law
Tyler Perry has added his voice to those speaking out against a bill in Georgia which is poised to become law.
The state’s legislature has greenlit HB 757, which would ban the government from taking action against anyone who discriminates against LGBT people – as long as they do so based on a sincerely held “religious or moral conviction”.
The law would apply even in adoption agencies or homeless shelters – which opponents say is a gross violation of human rights.
As the bill awaits the signature of the state’s Republican Governor Nathan Deal, a string of big names and businesses have urged him to block it – including Disney.
Famed director and actor Tyler Perry – whose company is based in Atlanta, Georgia – has now added his own voice to the calls for the law to be blocked.
A statement from Tyler Perry Studios said: “At Tyler Perry Studios, we believe in inclusion and equality for all people.
“We do not tolerate bigotry, division, and discrimination. We have tremendous confidence in Governor Deal’s leadership and ability to continue to lead our great state forward and urge him to veto this bill.”
Perry has earned a large, devoted following among African-American audiences across his years of filmmaking, and has a content deal with Oprah Winfrey’s TV network.
As well as writing, directing, and producing, Perry is best known for playing elderly woman Madea across a string of films.
