Essay/Commentary: Ant-Gay Bill in Arizona Mirrors Jim Crow Past and Apartheid

Essay/Commentary: Anti-Gay Bill in Arizona Mirrors Jim Crow Past and Apartheid

              First of all, I myself am not gay. However, in 21st century America a bill put forward by social conservatives purporting to protect the so-called  'rights' of supposedly  religious folks to unjustly discriminate against a class of people (homosexuals)they disapprove of is antiquated at best. In many places around the world there are anti-gay laws which can result in jail or even violence or murder against people who either are or are perceived to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered.  Even in this country, there are many examples of bullying, violence, homicide, or relentless mistreatment which likely could result in further violence or murder or suicide against the victims of relentless taunts or mistreatment. Mistreatment of others, regardless of motivation is definitely not a legitimate religious quality. Isn't tolerance, coexistence and unconditional love the goal or reason for most religions?In Russia gays can be jailed. In Nigeria gays can become executed or can be beaten with impunity. I think the so-called   'religious freedom' argument is absolute BS. If I understand this law businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and similar places would have the right to deny service to people perceived to be gay if the owner disapproves of the person. For one thing, a business exists to make money, not to deny a customer or patron the privilege to shop there. That is just asking for a boycott or a future bankruptcy. As far as I'm concerned, discriminating against gays or those perceived to be gay is no different from racism or other forms of bigotry. If someone's supposed religious beliefs make him or her a bigot, the allegedly religious person is a hypocrite and should reassess his or her religious teachings. Hatred is not the goal of any legitimate religion as far as I'm concerned. Controversial Arizona governor Jan Brewer was right to veto this bill even if she did so under duress. I heard on the radio that the NFL would have refused to have the next Super Bowl in Arizona, and this would have cost the state millions of dollars. THere would be other ripple effects which would cost the state tourism due to the proposed apartheid against gays.