The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved a resolution by Councilmembers Mary Norwood and Alex Wan on Monday, March 7, expressing its opposition to the so-called religious liberty bills currently being debated in the Georgia General Assembly. Norwood and Wan’s resolution was co-signed by Councilmembers Yolanda Adrean, Natalyn Archibong, Michael Julian Bond, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Andre Dickens, Kwanza Hall, Felicia Moore, Howard Shook, Carla Smith and Ivory Lee Young, Jr. Also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (Senate Bill 129) and the Pastor Protection Act or First Amendment Defense Act (House Bill 757), the two pieces of legislation pending in the General Assembly would legalize discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, according to the resolution. The religious liberty legislation has garnered international attention with hundreds of businesses, faith leaders and members of the LGBT community in opposition. Gov. Nathan Deal has also signaled his opposition to any bill that might discriminate.
The United Way of Greater Atlanta is exploring options for its Downtown campus that could include the sale of the 4-acre property, according to SaportaReport. The United Way property occupies about 4 acres at 100 Edgewood Avenue and 99 Auburn Avenue and includes an aging 18-story office building and surface parking lot.
Clarification: Food & Wine magazine has put three Atlanta restaurants on its list of America’s Best Brunch Spots. Making the cut: Cakes & Ale in Decatur, Holeman & Finch Public House and One-Eared Stag. However, we heard from the folks at Cakes & Ale that Food & Wine actually made a mistake since they don’t serve brunch. The brunch honor should have gone to Cakes & Ale Cafe, located next door at 151 Sycamore St. Check out the website at this link.