Arizona On The Wrong Side of History

A bunch of state politicians in Arizona came up with this bill, SB1062 that allows business owner to refuse service to anyone they want based on the owner’s religious beliefs.  The people supporting the bill say that it is not an anti-gay bill, but a religious freedom bill.  Come on people.  Religious freedom means you have the right to worship who and what you want, it does not mean that as a business you can pick and chose who to serve.

Nothing about your religion says you have to have a business, but if you do then you should serve all customers equally.  If this bill passes then not only will prejudice people find an excuse not to serve gay people but also all minorities could be in jeopardy based on the way this bill is written.  Any shortsighted, bigoted business owner could say their religion does not believe in African Americans, or Native Americans or Hispanics.

Business owners are down right crazy not to want to serve gay people.  Don’t they know they have more discretionary income than the average bigoted white guy?  If the gay community likes your business that usually means you are on the way up.  If you want to buy a house in an up and coming neighborhood when there is a lot of potential to make big bucks find out where the gay men are moving.  They are good for improving the neighborhood for sure.  Lesbians are loyal customers.  Once you have a devoted Lesbian following you will have steady income because if they like you they will be back and bring friends.

Gay rights are the civil right of our time.  Arizona is not only behind the times but taking more than a few huge steps backwards in history by even getting this bill this far.  Governor Jan Brewer is taking too long to veto this bill.  She says she will do what is right for Arizona, but the damage is done.  Those of us who have gay people themselves should not step foot in that state and give them any of our hard earned dollars.  Religious freedom is one thing, but lack of revenue is what worries most business owners.