LGBTQ news and entertainment
Newt Gingrich asked his CNN Crossfire audience to tweet their support or opposition of Arizona’s “License to Discriminate” bill – SB-1062.
88% tweeted that the bill should be vetoed by the governor.
And, following suit, Gingrich tweeted his support for veto.
This thing needs to go down. No one sane thinks it’s a good idea.
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee has released a statement opposing the anti-gay legislation SB-1062:
We share the NFL’s core values which embrace tolerance, diversity, inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination.
In addition, a key part of the mission for the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is to promote the economic vitality of Arizona.
On that matter we have heard loud and clear from our various stakeholders that adoption of this legislation would not only run contrary to that goal but deal a significant blow to the state’s economic growth potential.
We do not support this legislation. Instead, we look forward to continuing to promote the
NFL’s values while focusing on the economic momentum apparent in Arizona and capturing the positive worldwide attention associated with hosting Super Bowl XLIX.
If not for the fact that SB-1062 is such a hideous bill, you could almost feel sorry for the politically tone deaf state Senator Al Melvin here.
With no facts or reasons to support the bill, he digs a deeper and deeper hole the more he talks, especially when he states that “discrimination doesn’t exist in Arizona.”
Anderson Cooper interviews Arizona state senator Al Melvin Monday night regarding the state’s proposed legislation to allow businesses to exercise their religious freedom to discriminate against LGBT citizens.
Melvin insisted, “It’s nothing more and nothing less than protecting religious freedom in our state.”
Cooper noted how Arizona doesn’t expressly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and grilled Melvin on why, then, they would need to reaffirm a right that isn’t under threat in the state in the first place.
Cooper asked, “Can you give me a specific example of someone in Arizona who’s been forced to do something against their religious belief or successfully sued because of their faith?”
Melvin said he could not, arguing the bill is “preemptive.”
Watch the interview below.
And the chorus of corporations calling for a veto of SB-1062 gets that much louder as Apple asks Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to veto the highly controversial legislation:
Brewer spokesman Andrew Wilder said the governor spoke on the phone with the company.
The request comes as Apple prepares to open a new sapphire glass manufacturing plant in Mesa. The plant, which Brewer and other political leaders have touted as economic development coup for Arizona, will employ about 700 full-time employees.
With its veto request, Apple joins other anti-SB1062 business groups that have asked Brewer to veto the controversial bill. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Technology Council, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce came out against the bill the day after the Legislature passed it. The influential Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Greater Phoenix Leadership have since sought a veto from Brewer as well.
Both Arizona Senators McCain and Flake have urged a veto.
Three Republican state senators who originally voted for the bill have decided it was a mistake.
Earlier I reported that Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona urged Governor Brewer to veto the controversial and anti-gay “License to Discriminate” bill.
Now Sen. John McCain has joined the calls for the governor’s veto.
More and more elected officials are voicing their concern over the hateful and economic stain the bill would put in place if it were to become law.
Monday morning, I reported that Arizona GOP state Sen. Mike Pierce has changed course regarding the “License to Discriminate” bill in Arizona and called for Gov. Brewer to veto of the hate bill that he voted for last week.
Now, two more GOP state senators have joined him. Via LGBTQ Nation:
Sen. Bob Worsley says he and Sens. Adam Driggs and Steve Pierce sent a letter to Brewer Monday asking her to strike down the legislation allowing business owners with strongly held religious beliefs to refuse service to gays. Worsley says he was uncomfortable when he voted for the bill. Both he and Pierce called their votes a mistake. The legislation passed last week. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is requesting a veto because of fears it will hurt tourism.
LGBTQ Nation points out that if these three had voted against the bill in the first place – it would have failed.
(via JMG)
“I don’t like the negative picture of Arizona, and I’m on board asking the governor to veto the bill.
“To say (the bill is) anti-gay is following the feeding frenzy,” I have friends that are gay and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt them. This is blown way out of proportion and it’s too bad.” – Arizona Republican Sen. Steve Pierce of Prescott changing course on his vote on “License to Discriminate” bill.
So first he votes FOR the bill. Then, when he sees how real people feel about the discriminatory legislation, he’s against it. But he still doesn’t see the harm in legalizing discrimination against gays and lesbians?
By the way, he’s running for governor. Did I mention that?
