Arizona SB 1062 was an Arizona bill to amend an existing law to give any individual or legal entity an exemption from any state law if it substantially burdened their exercise of religion, including Arizona law requiring public accommodation.
It was one of several similar bills in U.S. state legislatures allowing individuals to refuse service based on religion, with some bills specifically protecting religious disapproval of same-sex marriage.[1] It was widely reported as targeting LGBT people, although Arizona law at the time provided no protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.[2] Critics noted that it would have broadly denied anyone service on religious grounds. Supporters argued that it was simply restoring the legal status of the right to free exercise of religion as intended by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.[3]
The bill was passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature and vetoed by Republican Governor Jan Brewer on February 26, 2014.[4][5]
The national controversy surrounding the bill prompted Arizona State Senator Steve Gallardo to publicly come out as gay.[6] He referred to the bill as a "game changer," and noted the national controversy surrounding its passage, as prompting his decision.[7]
- ^ Shadee Ashtari (February 20, 2014). "Ashtar, Shadee. Arizona Senate Passes Bill Allowing Discrimination On Basis Of Religious Freedom. Huffington Post. 02-20-2014". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ "Public Accommodation Discrimination". Arizona Attorney General. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
- ^ "Religious Freedom Restoration Act: SB 1062". Center for Arizona Policy. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ^ Santos, Fernanda (February 26, 2014). "Governor of Arizona Vetoes Bill on Denying Service to Gays". The New York Times. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
- ^ Shoichet, Catherine E.; Abdullah, Halimah (February 26, 2014). "Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoes controversial anti-gay bill, SB 1062". CNN News. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ Arizona's Anti-Gay Bill Inspired This State Lawmaker To Come Out
- ^ Pitzl, Mary Jo (March 5, 2014). "Arizona Sen. Gallardo discloses he's gay". Arizona Central. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
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