Gov. Jan Brewer
Last week, I said to homophobes passing anti-gay legislation, “Bring it on.”
In the long run, the decision that will find these laws unconstitutional will also ensure rights beyond any these narrow-minded legislators ever thought to take away.
But in the short run, the Arizona law is bringing out our friends and making a number of others squirm.
The law, passed by the Arizona Legislature last week, would allow businesses and individuals to deny services to LGBT customers on the grounds of deeply held religious beliefs.
First and foremost on the squirm list are Arizona senators John McCain and Jeff Flake.
“I hope Governor Brewer will veto #SB1062,” McCain tweeted.
Flake tweeted something similar over the weekend.
Three Arizona Republican lawmakers who voted for the bill now are urging Gov. Jan Brewer to veto the bill.
Two of them wrote in a letter the bill is being “mischaracterized by its opponents as a sword for religious intolerance.”
The legislation is also bringing out allies. Fort Worth-based American Airlines, which recently merged with Phoenix-based USAirways, wrote to Brewer asking her to veto the law. CEO Douglas Parker said the law would jeopardize the state’s economic recovery and reduce the likelihood of companies locating in Arizona.
Marriott’s CEO, as did Apple’s, wrote the law would have a negative impact on the hospitality business.
American Airlines and Apple scored a 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Marriott rated 90 percent.
Barry Broome, the president of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, announced that the CEO of one company told him it was no longer considering relocating 1,000 jobs to the city because of the bill.
Brewer must decide whether or not to sign the bill by Friday.
