Oklahoma gay discrimination bill similar to Arizona's

Oklahoma City (AP) — The author of a bill that would allow business owners in Oklahoma with strongly held religious beliefs to refuse service to gays says the measure is being rewritten and likely won't be considered in its current form this session.

Seminole Republican Rep. Tom Newell said Tuesday that while he still supports the idea, his bill is being redrafted to prevent "any fiascos like there have been elsewhere."

The bill initially would have provided legal immunity to anyone who refuses services to gays — if the refusal is based on religious beliefs.

The measure is similar to one being considered by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer that has set off a political firestorm, with critics denouncing the measure as blatantly discriminatory and embarrassing to the state.

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Online: House Bill 2873: http://bit.ly/OyAGA6

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The Gayly – February 25, 2014 @ 2:50pm