AppleInsider Staff
Arizona Governor Governor Jan Brewer on Wednesday vetoed a controversial bill that would have, in effect, legalized wide-ranging discrimination of homosexuals as an extension of religious freedom. Apple, along with a number of other major U.S. corporations, banded together to have the bill shot down.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Gov. Brewer confirmed that she had officially vetoed bill SB1062, which proposed to grant Arizona business owners the right to turn away gay and lesbian customers on religious grounds.
The measure, sponsored by Republican State Sens. Steve Yarbrough, Nancy Barto and Bob Worsley, landed on the governor's desk last week after being approved by a Republican-led state legislature, reports CNN.
On Monday, Apple requested governor Brewer veto the bill. As noted previously, Apple's ask carried clout considering the company invested millions of dollars in an Arizona-based sapphire production facility to be run in partnership with GT Advanced Technology.
Moments ago, I vetoed #SB1062. pic.twitter.com/gdQn0dG2vB
— Jan Brewer (@GovBrewer) February 27, 2014
Supposedly devised to protect religious freedom and non-government business entities, the bill proposed a revision to the definitions of "exercise of religion" and "person." The following key provision was of special concern to rights activists:
Expands the definition of person to include any individual, association, partnership, corporation, church, or other business entity.
The legislation lost its legs soon after the public caught wind of the bill's potential to institutionalize discrimination. Supporters of a veto included Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, while major businesses and corporations like American Airlines and Marriott also stood against SB1062.
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323 Comments
Welcome to the 21st century, AZ and TX!
Brewer only did this to save $$$. The 19th century (pre-Emancipation Proclamation) still rules the Arizona state government.
Even some of the republicans that voted for it were saying it was bad and asking her to veto it.
Good and I'm not shocked at all by this news. The bill embodies hate an intolerance towards others, no one should be discriminated no matter what it is. We can't move forward as a species with these officials having such an archaic way of thinking.
Wow what a shock. :rolleyes: I'm okay with this only because I don't think it was a pressing issue hopefully we can now stop talking about gays 24/7 (at least until the next manufactured crisis arises).