1. What does the bill passed by the Arizona legislature last week do? Be specific.

2. How do opponents of the bill view it?

3. Why do supporters say the law is necessary?

4. Governor Brewer has until the end of the week to sign the bill into law or veto it. What has she indicated her decision might be?

5. In what other states was similar legislation introduced but failed to pass?

6. What do you think? Consider the following:

In 2012, a New Mexico appeals court has upheld a lower court verdict that a photography studio that refused to shoot a same-sex wedding on religious grounds is guilty of sexual orientation discrimination under state law.

According to the court’s verdict, the trouble began for Elane Photography when the company was contacted by lesbian Vanessa Willock asking if they could photograph a commitment ceremony for Willock and her partner. The company, owned by Christian couple Elaine and Jonathan Huguenin, responded stating that they only shoot traditional weddings, and do not do same-sex weddings, but thanked Willock for her interest.

The following day, Willock’s anonymous partner sent an email to Elane Photography stating that she was going to marry, without stating that the marriage would be between herself and a woman. She asked if the company could travel to the location of the event, and was told that it could.

The two emails would be used as proof that the Huguenins were discriminating against Willock in her suit against the company, and resulted in a judgment of $6,637.94 against the defendant.

Although the government of New Mexico does not recognize same-sex marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships for homosexuals, the court ruled that Elane Photography had engaged in illegal discrimination based on sexual preference under the New Mexico Human Rights Act (NMHRA). ...

The Alliance Defense Fund, which was representing the couple, has decided to appeal the case to a higher court.

“Americans in the marketplace should not be subjected to legal attacks for simply abiding by their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence. “Should the government force a videographer who is an animal rights activist to create a video promoting hunting and taxidermy?" (from lsn.com)

What do you think?
a) Does Mr. Lorence make a good point? Explain your answer.
b) Is the law in Arizona necessary to protect freedom of religion, or discriminatory against homosexuals? Explain your answer.