Open Road Films, the Hollywood studio behind “Spotlight,” has released a statement denouncing a new North Carolina law that has been widely criticized as discriminatory and anti-gay.
“Open Road Films denounces North Carolina’s recent passage of NC House Bill 2. This law is blatantly discriminatory and counter to the values our company holds dear. We stand firmly with the citizens of North Carolina and across the nation who oppose this disgraceful law,” a spokeswoman for Open Road Films said in a statement.
In North Carolina, the new law prevents employers and businesses from discriminating based on race, color, religion, age and “biological sex,” though its wording allows for discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The law overturned an ordinance that would’ve gone taken effect in Charlotte next month barring discriminatory practices and giving transgender people the right to use public restrooms corresponding to their sexual identity.
Film production in North Carolina has been on the decline following the state’s decision to slash film incentives, and will likely continue to trend downward following the passage of the new law. Director Rob Reiner has already said he won’t film anything in North Carolina until the law is repealed.
North Carolina’s state government finds itself under fire from Hollywood just as Georgia was recently, though that state’s Governor Nathan Deal eventually vetoed a bill perceived as anti-gay.