Opposition is growing to an Arizona
bill which opponents say would allow businesses and individuals to
discriminate against gays.
The measure, which
states that individuals and businesses can refuse service based on
their religious beliefs, cleared the Senate on Wednesday and the
House the following day. Calling the measure “controversial,”
Republican Governor Jan Brewer said she will decide whether to sign
the bill this week.
Three Republican
state senators who voted for the bill – Senators Bob Worsley, Adam
Driggs and Steve Pierce – are now urging Brewer to veto the
legislation.
“I screwed up,”
Pierce
told Capitol Media Services of his vote. “I'm trying to make
it right.”
The Arizona Chamber
of Commerce and Industry also came out against the measure, saying it
fears such a law would hurt the state's tourism industry.
In fact, actor
George Takei has already called for a boycott of Arizona if the bill
becomes law.
(Related: George
Takei: Boycott Arizona if Gov. Jan Brewer signs “turn away the
gays” bill.)
Over the weekend,
U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, also a Republican, tweeted his opposition to
the bill.
“I hope Governor
Brewer vetoes SB 1062,” he messaged.
At least two
Arizona mayors have also spoken out against the bill.
Tucson Mayor
Jonathan Rothschild wrote in an open letter that the measure would
“take our state backwards to a time when discrimination was the
norm.”
“I ask our
governor in the strongest possible terms to veto this legislation,
and I urge Tucsonans to contact her with that request as well,”
Rothschild
wrote.
Phoenix Mayor Greg
Stanton also criticized
the measure in comments to gay weekly The Advocate.
Roughly 300 people
rallied against the bill outside the state capitol on Friday.
(Related: Hundreds
rally against Arizona bill allowing businesses to discriminate
against gays.)