Unit 3
2/23/14
"Arizona lawmakers pass controversial anti-gay bill"
Arizona has just passed a bill that essentially allows stores with openly religious views to refuse service to gays or lesbians. The bill passed through the state government 33-27. This legislature was not received well by Democrats and the LGBT group Wingspan. Some criticize the bill to be a "gateway" to discriminating against other things like race, gender, etc... Others are also worried that it will allow religious people to discriminate anything that they find offensive to themselves. Some Republicans and conservative groups view the legislation as a way for them to protect their rights and express their freedom of religion. The bill is only in place for those that it would affect their religious views, to help them "live and work their faith."
The debate about gay marriage and gay rights had been going on for a long time and highlights the differences in political parties here in America and also how different the red states, like Arizona, are from other states who don't vote Republican- blue states. The divided government of the Democrats- usually in support of marriage and all aspects of LGBT equality and Republicans- usually not in support of these things. Also the LGBT group Wingspan acts as an interest group to the democrats and uses lobbyists their case to help get legislation passed. All of these topics are ones that we have discussed in Unit 3.
No comments:
Post a Comment