Gov. Nathan Deal has officially come out against homophobia, transphobia and Islamaphobia.

Well, at least a generic welcome letter his office sends out to groups requesting an official welcome to their event states so.

Betty Couvertier, organizer of this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, sought — and finally received — a letter from the governor’s office that is addressed to: “Atlanta International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Islamaphobia.”

The letter, complete with the seal of the state of Georgia and the governor’s signature (obviously just a signature stamp), simply states:

“Welcome to the great State of Georgia. Girl Scouts  Founder Juliette Gordon Low, author Margaret Mitchell, golf legend Bobby Jones, baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, President Jimmy Carter, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have all called Georgia home, and if you are visiting, I hope that you feel you may do the same after your time here. I am proud to be Governor of a state with such a proud and storied history, and I am honored that Georgians have allowed me to be part of this history.

“I hope you will find Georgia as beautiful, exciting, and hospitable as I do, and that you will share in my belief that Georgia’s best days are still ahead.”

Couvertier had sought a proclamation from the governor's office declaring May 17 "International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Islamaphobia" but ran into some trouble from Deal staffers getting something so specific. She said she's pleased with this welcome from his office, however.

While this letter hardly acknowledges what this event represents, it is interesting that the man who ran the most anti-gay gubernatorial campaign in recent Georgia history has his signature now stamped “in support” of a day that is against homophobia, transphobia and Islamaphobia.

Top photo: Gov. Nathan Deal (via Facebook)