ATLANTA  — On Thursday, Sen. Greg Kirk, R-Americus, presented the First Amendment Defense Act of Georgia, a bill designed to protect Georgians from discrimination for believing in the traditional definition of marriage. This bill is modeled after legislation sponsored by Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue in the United States Senate.
“’Live and let live’ is the motto of the First Amendment Defense Act of Georgia,” said Kirk. “Faith based organizations that believe in the long held definition of marriage should have the right to operate freely without fear of persecution or discrimination. One group’s access to a right does not diminish the rights of another.”
This legislation does not challenge the same sex marriage decision of the United States Supreme Court, nor does it excuse a public official from doing his or her official duty with respect to marriages. Rather, the First Amendment Defense Act of Georgia offers protection to private individuals and organizations that believe in the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
Kirk represents the 13th Senate District which includes Crisp, Dodge, Dooly, Lee, Turner, Wilcox and Worth counties and portions of Sumter and Tift counties. He can be reached by e-mail at greg.kirk@senate.ga.gov