Phoenix City Council Calls For Veto Of Arizona Anti-Gay Bill

Phoenix City Council Calls For Veto Of Arizona Anti-Gay Bill
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer talks to the news media after voting in the Republican presidential primary February 28, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona is a winner take all state, with all the delegates from the state going to the winner of the primary. Early voting began in the state February 2, with over 300, 000 votes already cast as of February 27. (Photo by Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer talks to the news media after voting in the Republican presidential primary February 28, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona is a winner take all state, with all the delegates from the state going to the winner of the primary. Early voting began in the state February 2, with over 300, 000 votes already cast as of February 27. (Photo by Jonathan Gibby/Getty Images)

The city council in Arizona's state capital voted 8-1 to recommend that Brewer, a Republican, reject SB 1062 -- legislation that would allow business owners to invoke their religious beliefs to discriminate against gay and lesbian customers.

"Phoenix is an open, tolerant and inclusive community that respects the rights of every person," Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said following the vote. "I'm proud that the City Council spoke with a strong and united voice that this bill is wrong, and must be vetoed."

Brewer has faced increasing pressure to veto the legislation since it passed the state Senate last week. Both of Arizona's Republican U.S. senators, Jeff Flake and John McCain, have called for a veto, and three state lawmakers who voted to pass the bill last week have changed course and joined those urging Brewer to reject it.

Brewer returned to Arizona on Tuesday following a five-day trip to Washington for a governors' conference. She has until the end of Saturday to either veto the bill or sign it into law. She has promised to "do the right thing for Arizona."

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