Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Hollywood Stars Are Threatening to Boycott Filming in Georgia for a Very Important Reason

Hollywood Stars Are Threatening to Boycott Filming in Georgia for a Very Important Reason
Benjamin Lowy / Contributor via Getty Images // Jon Kopaloff / Stringer

Resist.

With sweeping tax credits provided to film and television productions that spend more than $500,000 in the state, Georgia is the second most popular filming location in the world and number one in the United States.

It's likely you've seen the state onscreen in productions like The Walking Dead and Black Panther. In 2017, film and television productions brought nearly $10 billion in spending to the state.


That might change soon.

After a push from Georgia's Democratic nominee for governor in last year's election, Stacey Abrams, denizens of the film and television industry are threatening to boycott filming in Georgia should the state pass House Bill 481.

The bill states:

"It shall be the policy of the State of Georgia to recognize the presence of a fetal heartbeat as the point of “fetal viability,” creating a compelling state interest to protect 'the independent essence of the second life' as an 'object of state protection' from abortion; and It shall be the policy of the State of Georgia to recognize unborn children as natural persons who qualify for state income tax deductions and state population based determinations."

Effectively, the bill would ban abortion at the presence of a fetal heartbeat. These heartbeats normally occur around six weeks after conception—before many women even know they are pregnant.

Fifty actors have signed an open letter to Georgia's governor Brian Kemp and Speaker of the House David Ralston, which states in part:

"We cannot in good conscience continue to recommend our industry remain in Georgia if H.B. 481 becomes law."

Actor and activist Alyssa Milano delivered the letter via Twitter on Thursday.

The letter is signed by notable actors like Sean Penn, Laverne Cox, Debra Messing, Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin and others.

Many have spoken out on Twitter as well.

But it's not just actors speaking out.

The Writers Guild of America has also spoken out against the bill.

As well as a bevy of others.

H.B. 481 has passed a Georgia House committee. Action is needed.

Let Georgia legislators and Governor Brian Kemp know what you think using the hashtag #HB481IsBadForBusiness. Contact information for Georgia officials and scripts expressing opposition to the bill (as well as other issues) are available here.

Update: The Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 481. It will now be sent to the desk of Republican Governor Brian Kemp, where he is expected to ratify it.

More from News

Cover of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

People's Response To Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word Of The Year Just Proved Their Point

Merriam-Webster dictionary nailed it with their 2024 Word of the Year selection that accurately defined the divisive reaction to the 2024 presidential election results.

The dictionary's account on X (formerly Twitter) declared this year's Word of the Year was, "Polarization," and joked:

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Mace
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Nancy Mace Rages After Nobody Will Print Her Transphobic Holiday Wrapping Paper Design

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was called out after sharing a photo of her anti-trans wrapping paper design to lament that "no company" would print it due to its "offensive" nature.

Mace, who has courted significant controversy for her efforts to bar Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress, from using the bathroom that corresponds with her gender identity, shared on social media that she attempted to create custom wrapping paper, seemingly intended for raising campaign funds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eugenio Derbez; Selena Gomez
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, Amy Sussman/Getty Images

'Coda' Star Apologizes After Selena Gomez's Classy Response To His 'Emilia Pérez' Criticism

Actor Eugenio Derbez walked back his harsh review of Selena Gomez's Spanish in the new musical crime comedy film Emilia Pérez after she responded with class to the tough criticism of not being a fluent speaker.

Gomez stars as Spanish-speaking character Jessi Del Monte, the wife of a cartel kingpin who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to start a new life as the titular Emilia Pérez.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
NBC

Trump Dragged After Claiming He 'Started Using' The Word 'Groceries' During The Election

President-elect Donald Trump was dragged after claiming he "started using" the word "groceries" during the election—before asking, "Who uses the word?"

Trump, in an interview with Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, emphasized the soaring grocery prices affecting millions of Americans as a pivotal factor in his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House.

Keep ReadingShow less
man pointing up
Alex Sheldon on Unsplash

People Break Down Their 'I F*cking Knew It!' Experiences

Sometimes you feel like you just know something is true, even if you can't prove it.

You may find out you're completely wrong. People usually don't like to talk about or acknowledge when that happens.

Keep ReadingShow less