InterContinental Hotels Group slams anti-gay bills, urges officials to reject them

InterContinental Hotels Group, a multinational hotels company with brands including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo and more, came out strongly against the anti-gay bills being considered in Georgia and Arizona.

Per a press release posted minutes ago:

“IHG is a global hospitality company that prides itself on the diversity of its guests, employees and business partners in nearly 100 countries. Celebrating differences is one of IHG’s core values and an integral part of IHG’s culture. IHG has regularly voiced support for equal treatment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. As a result, we are concerned by proposed legislation in a number of states that would allow businesses to refuse service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender guests and customers. The negative effects of these proposals, if passed into law, would be wide-reaching and significant for both businesses and individuals. IHG opposes these proposals and adds its voice to those urging state officials to reject them.”

One of the largest transgender conferences in the nation, the Southern Comfort Conference, is held annually in metro Atlanta at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, while Hotel Indigo in Midtown has long been considered a gay favorite.

The Georgia legislation in question is HB 1023 and SB 377, which as of today are both still alive, although SB 377 has a much  better chance of passing.

GA Voice is reaching out to other major businesses and corporations for comment on the legislation and will update you as news arises.

psaunders@thegavoice.com | @patricksaunders