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Some Arizona business leaders are putting pressure on Governor Jan Brewer to veto the discriminatory ‘religious protection’ bill that was passed by the Arizona Legislature.

Some businesses are just starting to recover from the boycotts launched after the state passed the anti-illegal immigration law that she signed in 2010, and they fear another backlash from the new legislation that has the gay community and supporters in an uproar.

Opponents say the bill is unconstitutional, discriminatory and divisive and describe it as yet another black eye for Arizona. If passed, the bill would allow private business owners to turn way gay and lesbian customers in the name of “religious freedom” – an Orwellian-doublespeak term that critics say really means, the “right to discriminate.”

Growing opposition to the bill has now put the Republican governor in a tough spot as she must decide in the next five days whether or not to sign it. Some businesses have taken to social media, saying that even if SB 1062 does become law, they will welcome LGBT customers.

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council urged Gov. Brewer to veto the controversial legislation, saying it could affect Super Bowl XLIX and have “profound, negative” economic effects for years to come.

“The state already is known as being discriminatory,” said Howard Fleischmann, owner of six Community Tire Pros and Auto Repair outlets. “This would muddy the water and give Arizona a more terrible reputation.”

“We’re greatly concerned,” said Kristen Jarnagin, senior vice president of the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association. “We’ve already received countless phone calls and emails from people canceling trips or threatening not to return.”

In Sonoita in southern Arizona, Shannon Austin Zouzoulas said she was shocked to hear about the measure’s passage Thursday. She and her sister run a winery and brewery called AZ Hops and Vines and her first customers that day were a lesbian couple. They too were shocked, she said, and customers couldn’t stop talking about it.

Zouzoulas called the bill embarrassing and said it does not accurately represent her state. “I think it’s very little about pro-business,” she said. “I think it’s pro-hate.”

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Carrie Stone