Arizona Gov. Vetos ‘Discrimination Bill’

27 Feb, 2014

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a bill on Wednesday derided by critics as a license to discriminate against gays in the name of religion, citing opposition from big business and warning that the measure could “create more problems than it purports to solve.”

The bill, passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature last week, would have allowed business owners to claim their religious beliefs as legal justification for refusing to serve same-sex couples or any other prospective customer.

The measure was widely seen as a backlash against a recent string of federal court decisions in several states, from Utah to Virginia, recognizing marriage rights for same-sex couples.

But Brewer came under mounting pressure to veto the measure as a number of major business organizations and some fellow Republicans, including the state’s two U.S. senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, came out against the legislation, dubbed Senate Bill 1062.

“Senate Bill 1062 does not address a specific or present concern related to religious liberty in Arizona,” Brewer said in a statement. Gay-rights activists rallying outside the capitol erupted in cheers at news of the veto.

“I have not heard one example in Arizona where a business owner’s religious liberty has been violated,” she said, going on to critique the bill as a broadly worded proposal that “could result in unintended and negative consequences.”

In a nod to conservative supporters of the Arizona bill who have expressed concerns over how such court rulings could encroach on the religious convictions of those opposed to gay marriage, Brewer said, “I understand that long-held norms about marriage and family are being challenged as never before.”

However, she added, “I sincerely believe that Senate Bill 1062 has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve. It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want.”

Under the bill, a business would have been immune to a discrimination lawsuit if a decision to deny service was motivated by “sincerely held” religious beliefs and if providing service would burden exercising of those beliefs.

Arizona is among more than 30 states that still ban gay or lesbian couples from marrying.

Reuters

Image Aurlia Ventura

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