Pressure Reaches Boiling Point Over Arizona Anti-Gay Bill
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Gov. Jan Brewer has returned to Arizona, facing rising pressure on many
fronts over a bill on her desk that has prompted a national debate over
religious and gay rights.
The bill – passed last week by the state’s Legislature – would allow
businesses to deny service to gay people based on the religious beliefs
of the business owner.
The legislation has caused an uproar, with the chorus of opposition
growing each day. Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney was the
latest prominent voice to weigh in and urge Brewer to veto the bill.
Brewer, who had been in Washington for a governor’s conference, posted a
message on Twitter pledging to “do the right thing for the State of
Arizona.”
I assure you, as always, I will do the right thing for the State of Arizona. #SB1062— Jan Brewer (@GovBrewer) February 26, 2014
Brewer will likely spend the next day or more pondering Senate Bill 1062
before deciding whether to sign or veto the legislation. If she doesn’t
reach a decision by the end of Saturday, it will automatically become
law.
There is widespread speculation that Brewer will veto the bill, but she
has not said how she'll act, as is her longtime practice with pending
legislation.
The bill was pushed by the Center for Arizona Policy, a social
conservative group that opposes abortion and gay marriage. The group
says the proposal simply clarifies existing state law and is needed to
protect against increasingly activist federal courts.
Arizona residents remain divided on the issue. Michael Salmon of Phoenix
supports the bill and he says supporters are afraid to speak out.
“This is not about hate or bigotry of any sort, but rather the
protection of religious rights,” Salmon told KNXV, the region’s ABC
affiliate. “People of religion have the right to say no.”
Silvana Salcido Esparza owns Barrio Café, a restaurant in Phoenix.
Esparza is also gay, so she feels compelled to speak out against the
bill. Esparza plans on welcoming anyone into her restaurant, regardless
of sexual orientation.
“We’re moving forward. Let’s not move backward. I have a right just like
everybody else … and this is just wrong. What message are we sending?”
she told KNXV.
The bill could have deep impacts for the state. Major companies have
criticized the legislation, including Marriott Hotels, Apple, American
Airlines and Yelp. Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman wrote an open letter to
Brewer.
“Protecting the consumer has been – and will continue to be – our main
priority. I believe that every consumer has a right to be served by a
business without fear of discrimination,” Stoppelman wrote.
The NFL is also watching the decision closely, as next year’s Super Bowl
is set to be played in Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals, the NFL and the
Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee all issued statements voicing
disagreement with the bill.
“A key part of the mission for the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is
to promote the economic vitality of Arizona,” the committee wrote in a
statement. “On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various
stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run
contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state’s
economic growth potential.”
The Associated Press and ABC News Radio contributed to this report.
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