It's a Dry Hate

The state of Arizona passed a measure that would allow businesses to refuse service or accommodations based on religious freedom. It passed both the state Senate and state House. Now two questions remain.

1. Will Governor Jan Brewer sign or veto the bill?
2. If the Governor signs the bill into law, what happens next?

Pressure is on Governor Brewer already from both side. Surprisingly, some of the pressure to veto the bill is coming from Republican Senators who originally voted for the bill. 

There is also opposition to the bill from businesses in the state. A statement from the NFL declined to comment on whether next year's Superbowl will be moved from Arizona if the law passes, but did express the organization's strong opposition to discrimination. The last time the Super Bowl was moved for political reasons was in the late 1980's, when Arizona lost the privilege of hosting the game by refusing to observe the Martin Luther King holiday. 

One voice that is getting a lot of attention is George Takei. In a blog post entitled, "Razing Arizona"  Takei calls for a boycott if the bill becomes law in Arizona. 

"If your Governor Jan Brewer signs this repugnant bill into law," Takei says, "make no mistake. We will not come. We will not spend. And we will urge everyone we know–from large corporations to small families on vacation–to boycott. Because you don’t deserve our dollars. Not one red cent."

The title of this post started out as a simple quip on facebook, and I got some responses from friends in The Grand Canyon State.  

The (presumably photo-shopped) sign reads: 

"Welcome To Arizona - We're Not All Assholes"

Likewise, when Takei was interviewed on The Last Word on MSNBC, Arizona State Representative Chad Campbell (D), who opposed the bill also entered a plea to Takei not to boycott the state, because there are so many people in Arizona who oppose the bill.

Takei's response is amazing. It happens at about  the 8 minute mark in the video. 

Of course we want to support those Arizona businesses that oppose SB 1062. But as George says, we mean it. If that bill is signed, Arizona is blacklisted. 

Now, Takei did express that he would support Campbell's continued efforts if the law is passed. But he is serious about no longer staying or spending money in Arizona, and if the state loses the Super Bowl again, it would send a strong message. 

Of course, for some people, avoiding the state entirely may not be reasonable. Family, job or other considerations might keep them there, or require a visit from time to time. For those, I recommend searching online to find businesses that do not discriminate, and even welcome LGBT customers. Check the HRC Equality Index (http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index) Fortunately, there is information out there, and if this law goes into effect, you can bet that there will be groups keeping record of companies that refuse to serve anyone, hiding behind religious freedom to cover their bigotry. 

There's one thing they haven't considered. The bill says that a business cannot be sued for refusing service to someone who is LGBT. It does not cancel freedom of speech the other way. That business would still be subject to being picketed, boycotted, or publicly listed as discriminating against LGBT customers. And that's if they're lucky. Look what happened to racist, anti-gay restaurant owner Gary James.