If you believe SB 1062 is not about discrimination, then I have a bridge for you!

After the Arizona Legislature gave approval on Thursday to allow business owners to assert their religious beliefs and refuse service to gays,Rocco's Little Chicago Pizzeria in Tucson put up this sign. The restaurant said, “Funny how just being decent is starting to seem radical these days.”http://bit.ly/1bsFS2d

It's hard to realize that Arizona's legislators are once again putting us into the national spotlight and making the entire state look like a bunch of homophobic, religious freaks. But that is not who many people in this state are, and I hope Arizonans who are tolerant and open minded will see the intent of Arizona's legislators in their passage of SB 1062.

For those who don't know, the bill, according to an article in the Arizona Republic, "would allow individuals to use religious beliefs as a defense against a lawsuit." Sponsors say the bill is not intended to discriminate against the LGBT community, rather "tweak" laws the state already has.

But listen to the reasoning bill sponsor Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, gave in that same article when he said it has nothing to do with the LGBT community since the LGBT community is not protected under state discrimination laws.

Here's what he went on to say in the Arizona Republic article. “A business owner can already decide not to hire somebody who is gay or lesbian. This doesn’t change that,” he said. “You guys are trying to make this something that doesn’t exist. These are small changes.”

Let me see if I understand that reasoning. 

We need to protect people who discriminate in the name of religious beliefs, but that has nothing to do with a group of people who are currently not protected. The impetus for this legislation was a lawsuit in New Mexico based on whether a photographer can refuse service to a gay couple because of his beliefs. And yet those supporting it say it has nothing to do with the LGBT community. 

Right.

But perhaps Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, gave the best reason everyone needs to be very afraid of this bill, not just the LGBT community.

“This bill strengthens against discrimination acts taken by others who want to force someone to do something,” he said. “We’re strengthening the rights of citizens to believe as they see fit.” (from AZCentral.com)

Because we all know that people never have to be "forced" to do something, like allow women or other groups to vote, make it illegal for schools to discriminate or recognize mixed race marriages. Citizens believing as they see fit is a right in this country. But discriminating because of those beliefs is not.

And conservatives may find this proposed law has unintended consequences. After all, how would they like to enter a business and be told they will not be served because they are Christian?