February 27, 2014 | Sex & Society

Arizona governor vetoes anti-gay bill

After receiving a lot of pressure from human rights groups, politicians and business leaders, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill that would have allowed business owners to turn away gay customers if they felt serving a homosexual would compromise their religious beliefs.

Brewer said that the legislation would have "unintended and negative consequences," potentially tarnishing the state's reputation, scaring away business and leading to unexpected lawsuits.

"I have not heard one example in Arizona where a business owner's religious liberty has been violated," she said. "It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and nobody could ever want."

Sadly, seven other states are considering "religious liberty" bills like the one almost passed in Arizona. At least for today, though, we can revel in the knowledge that there are a lot of unhappy bigots out there. Suckas!

Arizona governor vetoes anti-gay bill passed by right-wing legislature [The Guardian]

Jan Brewer, Arizona governor, vetoes anti-gay bill [CBC]