Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona vetoed controversial legislation yesterday that would have allowed business owners to discriminate against gay and lesbian customers due to their “sincerely held religious beliefs.”
Brewer said that the bill “does not address a specific or present concern related to religious liberty in Arizona.” She also claimed it was “broadly worded and could result in unintended and negative consequences.”
Business leaders in the state and prominent Republican lawmakers applauded the veto. LGBT advocates celebrated the victory Wednesday.
“With today’s veto, Governor Brewer spared her state from institutional discrimination and economic catastrophe. Make no mistake, there is no better way to doom jobs in a state than by signing license-to-discriminate bills,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The bipartisan outpouring of opposition to this bill is all the proof you need that this country isn’t turning backwards. Governor Brewer did the right thing in stopping this assault on businesses and the LGBT community and we call on her and the legislature–and governors and legislators in other states–to resist any attempt to give license to discrimination.”
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