Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Wednesday vetoed a controversial bill opponents said would allow businesses and individuals to discriminate against gay people.

The measure, known as SB 1062, states that a business can refuse service based on the owner's religious beliefs. Opponents have called the measure a license to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

Pressure to veto the bill came from activists, politicians – including a handful of Republicans – and business leaders. Apple, Petsmart and the NFL are a few examples of the more than 80 companies that spoke out against the measure.

“I call them as I see them, despite the cheers or the boos from the crowd,” Brewer said during a press conference.

“I took the time to make the right decision. I met or spoke with my attorneys, lawmakers and citizens supporting and opposing this legislation.”

“Senate Bill 1062 does not address a specific and present concern related to religious liberty in Arizona. I have not heard of one example in Arizona where a business owner's religious liberty has been violated.”

Brewer said that the bill “is broadly worded and could result in unintended and negative consequences.”

Gay rights activists applauded Brewer's decision.

“Discrimination is not an American value, plain and simple,” GLAAD CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “Governor Brewer today demonstrated that basic respect for LGBT people extends across party lines, and anti-LGBT bias isn't just bad politics, it's bad for business. As other states consider similar laws that aim only to make LGBT people's lives more difficult, legislators would do well to remember that anti-LGBT laws just won't be tolerated.”

The group behind the bill, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), criticized the governor's decision.

“Freedom loses when fear overwhelms facts and a good bill is vetoed,” Doug Napier, a spokesman for the group said in a statement. “Today's veto enables the foes of faith to more easily suppress the freedom of the people of Arizona.”

At least 8 other states are considering similar proposals.