Disney CEO: It Will Be 'Difficult' To Continue Filming In Georgia If Abortion Law Takes Effect

Bob Iger, Disney Chief Executive

Georgia's new abortion ban could cost the state dearly as Bob Iger, Disney's chief executive, told Reuters that continuing to film in the Peach State would be "very difficult" were the law to go into effect.

“I rather doubt we will,” Iger said during an interview at Disneyland. “I think many people who work for us will not want to work there, and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard. Right now we are watching it very carefully.”

Should the law takes effect, “I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there,” he added.

Reuters notes that, thanks to a lucrative tax credit offered by the state, the film and television industry has created 92,000 jobs in Georgia, and at least 455 productions were shot there in 2018.

And these aren't just small indie projects.

Disney’s billion-dollar blockbusters Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame were filmed in Georgia.

Netflix has also announced they are re-thinking their production schedule in Georgia.

EXCLUSIVE: Disney CEO says it will be 'difficult' to film in Georgia if abortion law takes effect. More here https://t.co/Xx9gr07vcw pic.twitter.com/NapxdwAm3T

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 30, 2019

Georgia Assembly Considers Banning 'Conversion Therapy' For LGBTQ Youth

Georgia

The Georgia Assembly has filed landmark legislation, the Youth Mental Health Protection Act (HB 580), to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy, which falsely claims to be able to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Currently, 15 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to protect LGBTQ from so-called 'ex-gay' therapy.

“All children in Georgia should receive care that first, does no harm. Conversion therapy has no scientific basis and contradicts the medical community’s understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity,” said bill sponsor, Rep. Matthew Wilson. “I am proud to sponsor this bill that helps ensure the safety of Georgia’s LGBTQ youth by outlawing this incredibly dangerous practice.”

Organizations like The Trevor Project are actively lobbying in every state to put an end to conversion therapy. Their 50 Bills 50 States campaign is the largest in the world working to protect LGBTQ youth from the discredited practice which can amplify stigma and shame.

A study at San Francisco State University showed LGBTQ youth who were rejected by their families due to their identities were 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 8.4 times more likely to have attempted suicide when compared to youth from accepting and affirming families and caregivers.

Conversion therapy is widely denounced by prominent professional medical associations including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

(via press release)

Podcast: Georgia vs Gays, Billy Porter Slays On The Red Carpet, Terry Crews Calls Kids Of Same-Sex Parents Emotionally 'Malnourished'

In this episode of The Randy Report podcast:

• Georgia lawmakers look to legalize LGBTQ discrimination

• The United Methodist Church doubles down on anti-LGBTQ animus

• Formerly homeless valedictorian kicked out of his home for being gay is thriving in college, and just landed a Congressional internship. He also set up his own scholarship foundation. Click here for more info.

• Pose star Billy Porter brings political discourse to the Oscars' red carpet

• Out singer/songwriter Kisos shares his 'five stages of grief' with "Happily Ever After"

• Brooklyn Nine Nine’s Terry Crews got called out for saying kids of same-sex parents will grow up emotionally ‘malnourished’

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

I want to send a big shout-out to everyone who's hit up the podcast over the past couple of years.

It's amazing to see the growth in numbers of folks discovering the podcast in such an organic manner, and I want to thank everyone for taking a listen and spreading the word about the podcast.

I always look at the podcast as the kind of "LGBTQ catch-up" I would want to hear, with a mix of stories that spans the wide spectrum of political and pop culture news.

I was excited to be contacted by an advertising exec who has a list of clients looking to advertise on the podcast.

!!!

Now, you know, ad execs only show interest when they see an audience they value.

Tip of the hat to all of you ;)

Georgia Republicans Making Another Run At Anti-LGBTQ 'Religious Freedom' Law

Georgia state Sen. Marty Harbin introduced legislation to legalize LGBTQ discrimination

State Sen. Marty Harbin of Georgia has introduced SB 221, a Religious Freedom Restoration Act that would legalize discrimination against LGBTQ people in the Peach state.

Nine state senators (seven of whom are committee chairman) have signed on as cosponsors ahead of the March 7 procedural deadline.

According to Georgia Equality, SB 221 would “allow businesses to refuse service to LGBT customers, among others, and would grant taxpayer-funded agencies a broad license to discriminate against LGBT youth, families, and other Georgians.”

In 2016, a similar bill was passed but former Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the legislation as economic backlash prompted the Metro Atlanta Chamber to predict financial losses in excess of $600 million in regard to sporting events, convention business and major movie location shoots.

Newly-elected Gov. Brian Kemp, however, has signaled he will sign a RFRA bill if it lands on his desk.

During his campaign last year, Kemp told his followers he would support legislation that mirrors the language in a federal religious freedom law that was passed in 1993.

His opponent in the 2018 gubernatorial race, Stacey Abrams, says she opposes the legislation.

Discrimination has no place in GA. Our LGBTQ community, film industry, and state would suffer if #RFRA is signed into law. Some folks at the Capitol want to take us back to ‘93. There’s no RFRA lite. I stand w/ LGBTQ Georgians & the 500+ GA employers who want to move us forward. https://t.co/EOnhyaNNf3

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) March 1, 2019

That legislation, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, was found to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997. SCOTUS ruled that the law could only apply to federal government.

As a result, 21 individual states have passed their own state RFRAs.

SB 221 includes the same language as the federal RFRA, but also adds provisions for recovering legal costs in religious lawsuits and gives judges the power to change local laws that might be deemed as infringing on religious beliefs.

Georgia political pundits say the bill will probably pass in the senate, but the legislation’s chances in the state House are unclear.

This isn't the only anti-LGBTQ legislation working its way through the Georgia legislature.

Last week, the state senate passed SB 375 (by a vote of 35-19) that would allow adoption agencies to refuse to place children with same-sex couples based on their religious beliefs.

That bill is now headed to the state House for consideration.

Watch the report from local NBC affiliate 11Alive below.

WTF @GaRepublicans don't you realize how disastrous this would be for #Georgia? #antiglbtq #RFRA Bad for:
Business @GAChamber
Tourism @ExploreGeorgia
Education @BORUSG
Relocations @garealtors
Meetings @GWCC_ATL
Economic Development @gdecd
Takes state backwards @GovKemp

— Progressive Paul (@pauljgibler) March 1, 2019

#RFRA is back! Use the link below to email your State Senator and ask them to reject discrimination now! Reject SB 221! https://t.co/E3icjCBQ4I

— Georgia Equality (@GAEquality) February 28, 2019

Oprah Campaigns For Stacey Abrams In Georgia

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey campaigning in Georgia for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams:

"That's why I'm a registered Independent. Because I don't want any kind of party, or any kind of partisan influence telling me what decisions I get to make for myself.

"So I wanted to just say to you: Nobody paid for me to come here; nobody even asked me to come here. I paid for myself and I approve this message."

Oprah goes on to say when she personally called Abrams and introduced herself, Abrams  response was, "Girl, lemme pull over to the side of the road."

And then there was this: " I just wanna say y’all been on my mind – Georgia you’ve been on my mind. I was just sitting in California, minding my own business, but I could not stop thinking about whats going on down here."

Oprah Winfrey says she reached out to Democrat Stacey Abrams and asked to campaign for her because she stands for the values that matter.

"Nobody paid for me to come here, nobody even asked me to come here, I paid for myself and I approve this message" https://t.co/7Z8DKAKQ9e pic.twitter.com/kS3LME12el

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 1, 2018

pic.twitter.com/UZVkujRTT1

— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) November 1, 2018

Oprah To Campaign With Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams

Oprah Winfrey

Media superstar Oprah Winfrey is diving into Georgia politics this week as she will join Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on the campaign trail.

From NBC News:

Winfrey is set to join Abrams Thursday at a pair of town hall events in the state, and will accompany the Georgia Democrat in knocking on voters' doors in one of the state's final days of early voting and just five days prior to Election Day.

"Oprah Winfrey has inspired so many of us though the years with her unparalleled ability to form real connections and strengthen the bonds of family and community," Abrams told NBC News in a statement. "I am honored to have Oprah join me for uplifting and honest conversations with voters about the clear choice before us in this election and the boundless potential of Georgians.”

Abrams is going toe-to-toe with Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp in one of the nation's most hotly contested races. Last week, an NBC News/Marist poll found that the race is essentially tied, with likely voters favoring Kemp by a 49 percent to 47 percent spread, a number within the poll's margin of error. Among registered voters, the two candidates are tied at 47 percent.

The race has been roiled by allegations that Kemp has purged voter rolls in an attempt to help his own candidacy. Kemp calls the charges "a farce."

According to reports, Kemp's office has been purging tens of thousands of voters, most of whom are black, from voter rolls ahead of next week's election. Kemp says that he is simply following the law.

RealClearPolitics shows the race is a statistical tie.

If Abrams were to win, she will be the first black woman to become governor of any state in the U.S.

Abrams was recently a guest on The View where Meghan McCain thought she was going to embarrass Abrams on the topic of gun control. It didn't quite pan out the way McCain expected.

Watch Abrams school McCain in the most graceful way below.

News Round-Up: October 24, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• The above pic was sent to me over the weekend. I just enjoy the view... #woof

• The New York Times reports it's very possible China may be listening in on the Donald's personal calls as his iPhone is not a 'secure' method of communication.

• The Justice Department today told the U.S. Supreme Court that businesses can discriminate against transgender workers based on their gender identity without violating federal law.

• Republican nominee for Georgia governor, and current Secretary of State, Brian Kemp was caught telling supporters at a paid campaign event that his Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams’ voter turnout operation “continues to concern us, especially if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote,” according to audio obtained by Rolling Stone.

• At a candidate forum in Kentucky this week, anti-LGBT County Clerk Kim Davis told voters (with a straight face) that she "did not treat anyone unfairly" when she chose to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses after the Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land. #liar

• 20-year-old Swedish singer and songwriter Zara Larsson drops her first new single, "Ruin My Life," since her 2017 debut album, So Good.

The award-winning multi-platinum pop artist holds the distinction of being “the second most-streamed debut on Spotify by a female artist ever,” eclipsing 5 billion streams.

I've previously written about Zara and her gorgeous 2017 collaboration with Clean Bandit, "Symphony." Check the new single out below.

Identical Twins Come Out As Transgender And Transition Together

Jack and Jace Grafe of Georgia

Jack and Jace Grafe, who live in Georgia, recently shared their amazing journey as identical twins who came out to each other as transgender and transitioned together.

Fox5Atlanta recently reported the story of the twins who were identified as female at birth, but came out to each other at the age of 15. That was just a year after they had even heard the word ‘transgender.’

“It’s like being in prison except it’s in your own body,” Jack told Fox5Atlanta. “And the older I got, the harder it was to swallow. And I was like, can’t do this for the rest of my life, I just can’t do it.”

Both men admit the fear of coming out was huge, but having a twin going through the same experience provided incredible emotional support.

“Fear is like the biggest thing to keep you away from anything,” Jack says. “That’s what kept me in my box.”

“I feel like we’ve saved each other from a lot of really dark and depressing moments,” added Jace. “Sometimes, I wonder if he wasn’t here, if I would have been by myself, if I would have had suicidal thoughts. I’m not saying I would have, but it’s very possible. I would have been most definitely alone.”

Study after study has shown that transgender teens are much more likely to face high instances of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Even though they came out to each other at 15-years-old, the two continued to present as female until they graduated from high school. "But as soon as I got out of there, I cut my hair, and I changed my clothes," Jace says.

Both men are in long-term relationships and work as corrections officers in East Georgia. Looking to begin careers in law enforcement, Jace has already begun study at the police academy and Jack plans to follow in his footsteps.

(screen capture)

It wasn’t until they reached the age of 21 that they began giving each other male hormone injections which deepened their voices and made their appearance more masculine.

And in August of this year, the twins underwent top surgery on the same day which removed excess breast tissue and contoured their chests for a more masculine shape.

The twins turned to Georgia Plastic Surgery's Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg for the final step in their transition.

Dr. Lincenberg told Fox5Atlanta that the surgery helps both Jace and Jack to look the way they feel inside - male.

"Their identity is set inside themselves," Dr. Lincenberg says.  "They're not trying to change that. They just want the world to see them as they are."

Thanks to the gender-confirming survey, the twins were able to obtain new driver’s licenses that identify their gender as male.

"It's real now, it's official," Jack says. “It’s like the biggest relief you could ever feel.”

"It's perfect to me, I'm finally perfect to me," added Jace. "I'm just excited to finally go out there and be exactly what I've been dreaming about for a long time.”

Watch the report from Fox5Atlanta below.

GOP Sen. David Perdue Snatches Phone From Constituent As He Refuses To Answer Question At Public Event

Sen. David Perdue of Georgia (R)

A Georgia Tech student attempted to ask Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) a question about the upcoming gubernatorial election in November when the senator - a f*cking U.S. senator - snatched the student's phone out of his hand.

Perdue has endorsed current secretary of state, Brian Kemp, for governor.

This week it was revealed that Kemp has been involved in what appears to be voter suppression of African American voters (folks who wouldn't be supporting him) for the upcoming election against Atlanta Mayor Stacey Abrams.

From The Washington Post:

Abrams has accused Kemp of voter suppression and of using his current position to try to swing the gubernatorial race in his favor. Kemp has defended his office by saying it was simply complying with an “exact match” state law that requires election officials to put a registration application on hold if there are even minor discrepancies with existing records (for instance, a typo or an extra hyphen in a name).

Polls show the race between Kemp and Abrams is a toss-up.

“Hey, so, uh, how can you endorse a candidate — ”

That was as far into the question as the student got. Before he could continue, Perdue snatched the phone out of the student’s hands, as evidence shows in a video suddenly turned erratic.

“No, I’m not doing that. I’m not doing that,” the senator can be heard saying in the cellphone recording.

“You stole my property,” the student tells Perdue. “You stole my property.”

“All right, you wanted a picture?” the senator replies.

“Give me my phone back, senator,” the student says.

“You wanted a picture? I’m going to give it to you,” the senator continues, ignoring the student’s request. “You wanted a picture?”

“Give me my phone back, senator,” the student repeats.

At this point, the video rights itself again, apparently because the student is reunited with his phone. By then, Perdue is walking away, on a crowded pedestrian pathway.

What would have been wrong with just answering his constituent's question?

Today @sendavidperdue visited Tech to campaign for Kemp. A student tried asking a simple question about @BrianKempGA 's racist scheme to threaten voter registrations from black people, but before he could even finish the question, Perdue stole his phone. pic.twitter.com/K0iffU57Di

— YDSA Georgia Tech (@YDSAGT) October 13, 2018

Georgia: GOP Secretary Of State Purging Voters From Voter Rolls With No Notice

Georgia's current Secretary of State, who also happens to be the Republican candidate for governor this year, has purged up to 10% of Georgia voters from the voter rolls.

The purged names, numbering up to half a million, are reportedly disproportionately black voters.

Oh, did I mention the Democratic candidate, Stacey Abrams, is black? And she would become the first black, female governor in the United States?

Watch the report below from Now This.

10% of Georgia voters were secretly purged from the rolls — and they weren’t given any notice pic.twitter.com/htAP0RicY4

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) October 9, 2018

Additionally, Talking Points Memo reports that Kemp is blocking 53,000 people from registering to vote using a controversial “exact match” program to approve or block voter registrations that disproportionately impacts minority voters.

According to the Associate Press, 70% of the voter applications that are being held up by Kemp’s office are from black people.

Podcast: Broadway, Conversion Therapy, Transgender Soldiers, LGBT Workplace Discrimination, Out Oscar Winners

In this week's podcast:

• Harvey Fierstein’s iconic play Torch Song is heading back to Broadway

• California aims to make so-called “ex-gay therapy” illegal

• Georgia lawmakers are trying to legalize discrimination against same-sex couples wanting to adopt

• South Carolina looks to label same-sex marriage as “parody” marriage

• Defense Secretary James Mattis has given Donald Trump his recommendations for transgender soldiers

• The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals says Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTs from workplace discrimination

• Anti-gay bakers in Oregon take their case to the state Supreme Court

• How many out LGBT Academy Award winners can you name?

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report podcast.

Georgia Strips Tax Breaks From Delta Airlines Over NRA Discounts

After Delta Airlines announced the company would end its discount with NRA members after the deadly gun massacre at a Florida high school, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle of Georgia threatened the airline with retaliation via tax legislation.

I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.

— Casey Cagle (@CaseyCagle) February 26, 2018

Casey made good on his threat as this week state lawmakers killed a proposed tax break that would have saved Delta Airlines millions.

The new tax bill passed in both chambers with the fuel exemption stripped out. The state Senate voted 44-10 with only Democrats opposing. The House approved the measure 135-24.

Republican Gov. Nathan Deal criticized the Delta kerfuffle but has signaled he would sign the tax measure.

Based in Atlanta, Delta Airlines is the state's largest single employer with 33,000 employees in the state.

Now, that was a pretty strong position to take - basically a $38 million slap to Delta.

You have to wonder how many NRA members have actually used their Delta Airline discount...?

Well, Delta confirmed to USA Today that only 13 discounts had ever been used by NRA members.

So, Casey and company have threatened the state's largest employer over 13 discounts?

I can't imagine that makes for smart economic growth. And I'm not the only one.

Several governors around the country sent clear messages they would be happy to welcome Delta.

Check out just a few of the invitations the airline has received.

Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia:

Hey @delta—Virginia is for lovers and airline hubs. You're welcome here any time. https://t.co/BxxnOhEpt6

— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) February 27, 2018

Gov Andrew Cuomo of New York:

.@Delta, if Georgia politicians disagree with your stand against gun violence, we invite you to move your headquarters to New York. https://t.co/BHvyPECWSe

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 27, 2018

Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul of New York:

.@Delta, as one of your most frequent flyers, know that the NY LG admires your principled stance. Let’s continue our great relationship. NY is open for business & ❤'s Delta – move HQ to where you’re appreciated? https://t.co/AZ8xeC0geo

— Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) February 26, 2018

Gov. Cyrus Habib of Washington state:

With all due respect to my fellow LG from Georgia, I'd like to thank @Delta for joining the many companies that have ended their partnerships with the NRA, and let them know that they are certainly welcome in our state. https://t.co/lT03MiqXHw

— Cyrus Habib (@cyrushabib) February 27, 2018

Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio:

Hey @Delta — Northeast Ohio would make a great HQ if you’re put off by Mr. Cagle’s authoritarian tendencies. Quality of life, infrastructure, and wonderful communities. I’d love to show you around! https://t.co/7Fsh9g0yAD

— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 27, 2018

Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama:

Hey @Delta . You know, in mathematics, Delta represents the change in something, e.g. 🔺HQ. Let’s chat. #BHM

— Randall Woodfin (@WoodfinForBham) February 27, 2018

Georgia State Senate Approves Anti-LGBT Adoption Bill By 35-19 Vote

The Georgia state Senate approved a bill today that would allow adoption agencies to deny same-sex couples the opportunity to adopt based on "deeply held religious beliefs."

Additionally, the legislation (known as Senate Bill 375) would prohibit the state from taking any adverse action against agencies who discriminated against those same-sex couples.

The legislation was approved by a vote of 35-19 and now moves to the state House.

More from The Georgia Voice:

Senate Bill 375, called the “Keep Faith in Adoption and Foster Care Act,” was introduced earlier this month by state Sen. William Ligon (photo), who added similar language to an adoption overhaul at the end of last year’s legislative session, causing the bill to stall. A Senate Judiciary sub-committee met on Feb. 8 to take up the bill, moving to send it on to the full committee, which passed the bill on Feb. 20.

Senators debated the bill for over an hour, and the 2015 Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage was a hot topic throughout, with several senators who support the bill quoting directly from the ruling. Sen. Ligon and other supporters of the bill continued to try and make the case that passage of the bill would lead to more adoption opportunities in the state and not less.

Equality Federation deputy director Fran Hutchins issued a statement saying, “As someone who was adopted myself I find it deeply insulting that a few politicians are putting LGBTQ youth and families at risk for discrimination. Every child deserves a loving family and place the call home.”

And executive director for Georgia Equality, Jeff Graham, called SB 375 “mean spirited” and said, “This legislation goes out of its way to make it harder for loving and committed same-sex couples to start a family—and unfortunately, it’s children in need of permanent homes who will pay the steepest price.”

Georgia Equality has announced a March 1 rally across from the Capitol.

The Georgia Senate passed SB 375, a bill that would allow child welfare organizations -- including adoption and foster care agencies -- to turn away qualified Georgians seeking to care for a child in need, including #LGBTQ couples. https://t.co/oywZYxcuaf

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 23, 2018

The Georgia State Senate passed a dangerous religious exemption bill that would allow taxpayer-funded agencies to deny adoption requests from LGBTQ couples and refuse service to LGBTQ youth. #GApol #SB375 https://t.co/A32JoM35PL

— GLAAD (@glaad) February 23, 2018

Georgia Senate Committee Approves Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Bill

A Georgia state Senate committee has approved an anti-LGBTQ bill that would allow adoption agencies to refuse to place children with same-sex couples based on "sincerely-held religious beliefs."

The legislation would also keep the Georgia Department of Human Services from taking any “adverse action” against such agencies who chose to discriminate against LGBTs.

Senate Bill 375, also known as the "Keep Faith in Adoption and Foster Care Act," passed in the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee this morning on a party line vote. Only the two Democrats voted against the measure.

There were no public comments allowed during the committee meeting and the bill now head to the Senate floor for a vote.

Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality’s Executive Director, issued this statement:

“There are no winners with SB 375. This bill does not help the thousands of young people in our state’s adoption and foster care system. It does not help loving parents who are looking to open their homes to children in need, either through fostering or adoption.

"It does not help our state’s economic image – particularly at this crucial juncture in our bid to bring up to 50,000 new and high-paying jobs to our state through Amazon.

"There are only losers with this bill: children denied permanent and loving homes, and potential parents coldly turned away simply because of who they are.”

(source)

Podcast: Transgender Folks Get Help In The Workplace; "Yes" Vote Leads Australia's Marriage Equality Vote

In this week's podcast:

• California's governor signs "first in the nation" legislation that will require training meant to help high unemployment among transgender people

• Donald Trump joked that Vice President Mike Pence wants to “hang" all gay people

• The "Yes to Marriage Equality" campaign in Australia appears to be leading

• Georgia state lawmaker considers quarantining HIV+ people

• Rentboy CEO goes to prison even as female escort websites continue without penalty

• Out Canadian country music artist Patrick Masse headlines Las Vegas Pride

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Georgia State Rep. Says HIV "Quarantine" Comment Was Meant To Be "Provocative And Rhetorical"

Georgia state Rep. Betty Price

Georgia state Rep. Betty Price caused an uproar this week when, during a study committee hearing, she suggested that HIV+ people should be quarantined since they aren't dying as "readily" as they used to.

The full quote:

“I don’t want to say the quarantine word, but I guess I just said it. Is there an ability, since I would guess that public dollars are expended heavily in prophylaxis and treatment of this condition? So we have a public interest in curtailing the spread. What would you advise or are there any methods legally that we could do that would curtail the spread?”

“It seems to me it’s almost frightening, the number of people who are living that are potentially carriers. Well they are carriers, with the potential to spread, whereas in the past they died more readily and then at that point they are not posing a risk. So we’ve got a huge population posing a risk if they are not in treatment.”

On Saturday, Price walked her comments back saying she was "taken completely out of context."

She issued a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution which read, in part:

I made a provocative and rhetorical comment as part of a free-flowing conversation which has been taken completely out of context. I do not support a quarantine in this public health challenge and dilemma of undertreated HIV patients. I do, however, wish to light a fire under all of us with responsibility in the public health arena - a fire that will result in resolve and commitment to ensure that all of our fellow citizens with HIV will receive, and adhere to, a treatment regimen that will enhance their quality of life and protect the health of the public.

You'll recall Price's husband recently stepped down as Health and Human Services Secretary after it was revealed he spent over $500,000 in private planes during his short tenure.

Georgia State Lawmaker Asks If HIV+ People Should Be Quarantined Since They Don't Die As "Readily" As They Used To

Betty Price, the wife of former Health Secretary Tom Price and currently a George state lawmaker, has come under fire for asking during a recent state House committee meeting if HIV+ folks should be quarantined.

Price also considered if the U.S. would be safer if positive people "died more readily."

I kid you not.

From Newsweek:

“It’s almost frightening, the number of people who are living that are carriers with the potential to spread,” Price said during a Georgia House of Representatives committee meeting on access to health care in the state (around the one-hour mark of the video). “Whereas in the past, they died more readily, and at that point they’re not posing a risk. So we’ve got a huge population posing a risk if they’re not in treatment.”

Price also said that while she didn’t necessarily want to quarantine people with HIV, that is exactly what she wants to do.

“I don’t want to say the quarantine word—but I guess I just said it,” Price said to Dr. Pascale Wortley, director of the Georgia Department of Public Health’s HIV epidemiology section, according to STAT News.

“Is there an ability, since I would guess that public dollars are expended heavily in prophylaxis and treatment of this condition, so we have a public interest in curtailing the spread. … Are there any methods legally that we could do that would curtail the spread?”

The answer, Ms. Price, is "no."

Georgia had the second highest number of HIV diagnoses in 2015.

You can watch the remarks on video here. Price's comment comes at the one hour, two minute mark.

You'll recall Price's husband resigned from the Trump administration after spending over half a million dollars in private plane travel.

Georgia: Anti-LGBT Republican Karen Handel Bests Dem Jon Ossoff In Special Election 52% - 48%

After much hype, Democrat Jon Ossoff lost last night to anti-LGBT Republican Karen Handel in Georgia's special election, 52.1% -47.9%.

Republicans are elated, Democrats - not so much.

Often, a win is a win; a loss is a loss. But a few things come to mind:

• Ossoff received the same 48% he got in the April primary. Handel consolidated her base moving from about 20% in April to 52% last night. It's possible that 48% is about as high as Dems can get in the district. You can't create voters out of thin air.

• The one sliver lining for Democrats is that these special elections for Congressional seats in traditionally red states are much, much tighter than just months ago.

For example, when Republican Tom Price won the Georgia seat back in November, it was by 24 points. Handel clinched the win last night by only 4 points. That's a lot of lost margin.

There was also a special election in South Carolina last night that received less coverage, and was even tighter. Mick Mulvaney won the 5th District seat in SC last November by 20 points. Last night, Republican Ralph Norman won the special election by only 3 points.

Similarly, Mike Pompeo won his seat in Kansas' 4th District last November by 31 points; Republican Ron Estes took the seat in a special election this spring by a margin of only 7 points.

As you can see, there is some clear movement happening here. Will it be enough to make a difference come the fall of 2018 and the midterm elections? We shall see.

• While a lot has been made of the fund raising and money spent by the Ossoff campaign on this race, national Republican groups spent far more (nearly $14 million the NRCC, RNC, and Congressional Leadership Fund Super PAC) than national Dems did (about $6 million). According to NBC News, the total GOP price tag (NRCC, CLF, RNC) for the four recent special elections (Kansas, Georgia, South Carolina, Montana) was around $19 million versus $7 million for Democrats (DCCC, House Majority PAC, Patriot Majority).

What does that say? That Dems viewed the prospects of winning the traditional red seats pretty realistically, while the Repubs were clearly nervous.

Predictably, President Trump boasted about the Democrats loss this morning:

Well, the Special Elections are over and those that want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN are 5 and O! All the Fake News, all the money spent = 0

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2017

Democrats would do much better as a party if they got together with Republicans on Healthcare,Tax Cuts,Security. Obstruction doesn't work!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2017

The comment about Dems working with Republicans in Congress is interesting in that the Repubs have literally shut the Dems out of any policy-making process.

More from the Twitterverse on last night's election.

The Republican just barely winning the South Carolina House race, with little over 50% — Mulvaney won by 20 points. Alarm bells for GOP.

— Mike Signorile (@MSignorile) June 21, 2017

👉Jon Ossoff lost by a margin of 5 points

👉The last Democrat to run in #GA06 in 2014 lost by a margin of 32 points

👉That's called progress

— J. Dice 🎲 (@jdice03) June 21, 2017

Tom Price won that seat by 24 points just 7 mths ago. There are 70 GOP House seats w/ more Democrats than GA-06. This was a strong showing. https://t.co/fs1boXDRO8

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) June 21, 2017

Georgia Congressional Race Tightens Heading Into Election Day

Everyone following politics these days is focusing on tomorrow's race in Georgia for the state's 6th Congressional seat where Republican Karen Handel is in a tight, tight race with Democrat Jon Ossoff.

Polls show Ossoff with a small lead heading into election day, and the political rhetoric reflects that as Handel's surrogates are spouting brash, baseless lines to her supporters to gin up votes at the ballot box.

Worst of the bunch is Brad Carver, GOP chairman of the neighboring 11th Congressional District in Georgia, who speaking about the recent shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise told the Washington Post, “I’ll tell you what: I think the shooting is going to win this election for us.”

Additionally, President Trump made a pitch to his followers this morning with this tweet.

The Dems want to stop tax cuts, good healthcare and Border Security.Their ObamaCare is dead with 100% increases in P's. Vote now for Karen H

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2017

In April, Ossoff won the primary with 48% and Handel trailing a distant 20%.

Of the 15 best-educated districts in the country, this traditionally Republican district is the only one Mr. Trump won in November, and by only a scant 1.5% margin.

Georgia: Karen Handel Doesn't Believe Gay Parents Are Legitimate - "Because I Don't"

Karen Handel (L) and Jon Ossoff (R)

If you happen to live in Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District, please get out to the polls in four days, June 20, to make sure HRC-backed Democrat Jon Ossoff wins the congressional seat.

Otherwise, you'll be stuck with homophobe Karen Handel.

Handel opposed marriage equality, civil unions, domestic partnership benefits and allowing same-sex couples to adopt during her 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

Handel has proudly told reporters that she doesn't think same-sex parents are as "legitimate" as different-sex parents. Why?

"Because I don't," says Handel.

Watch below.

Caught on camera: Jon Ossoff's opponent says #LGBTQ parents aren't legitimate. If you live in #GA06, #VoteYourOssoff on Tuesday, June 20. pic.twitter.com/fm6bwD48aZ

— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) June 16, 2017