Arizona OKs Bill Permitting Religion-based Service Refusal
Arizona Senta Approves Bill Boosting Service Refusal based on Relgion
PHOENIX - The Arizona Senate on Wednesday passed a bill backed by Republicans that expands the rights of people to assert their religious beliefs in refusing service to gays and others, a measure Democrats say will open the doors for discrimination and hurt the state economy.
Democrats and civil rights groups opposed the bill that was pushed by social conservatives, saying it would allow discriminatory actions by businesses.
But sponsor Sen. Steve Yarbrough of Chandler said his push for Senate Bill 1062 was prompted by a New Mexico case in which the state Supreme Court allowed a gay couple to sue a photographer who refused to take pictures of their wedding. He says he’s protecting religious rights.
How long before it’s a “Turn dreaded Muslims/Atheists/Jews/Other-Non-Christian-Minority Away” bill…