Arizona Anti-Gay Bill Vetoed After NFL Pressure

A controversial bill that would have let businesses refuse to serve gays and lesbians for religious reasons has been vetoed.

Arizona's governor Jan Brewer held a series of meetings with opponents and supporters of the controversial proposal that has focused national attention on her state.

But following pressure from American sports leagues, she axed the bill saying "it could result in unintended and negative consequences".

Ms Brewer said she understood "that long held norms about marriage and family are being challenged as never before".

"However, I sincerely believe that Senate bill 1062 has a potential to create more problems than it purports to solve (and) could divide in Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want."

It would have allowed any business, church or person to cite the law as a defence in any action brought by the government or individual claiming discrimination.

The legislation was pushed by the Center for Arizona Policy, a social conservative group that opposes abortion and gay marriage.

The National Football League (NFL), which will stage Super Bowl 49 in Arizona, as well as Major League Baseball and Arizona's NBA and Women's NBA teams made it clear they did not want to see Senate Bill 1062 become law.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said before the decision: "Our policies emphasise tolerance and inclusiveness and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other improper standard.

"We are following the issue in Arizona and will continue to do so."

The Phoenix area already has the stigma of being the only host in Super Bowl history to ever have the big game moved.

The NFL changed the 1993 Super Bowl from Arizona to Pasadena, California, after Arizona voters in 1990 failed to approve a paid state holiday in tribute to the slain African-American civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

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