Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has done the right thing by vetoingĀ House Bill 757, which sought to give faith-based business owners the option of denying jobs and services to gays, bisexuals andĀ transgendered individuals.
Those who supported the bill said it protects religious liberty. Those who oppose it said it discriminates needlessly against Americans who shouldn’t be denied their rights as citizens.
There had been reports of pressure being applied by HB 757 foes who said the bill could result in the loss of business and jobs in Georgia.
I’m glad the anti-bill folks won this argument.
Gov. Deal, a Republican, denied he was reacting to pressure from either or both sides of the divide. According to CNN: His decision, he said, was “about the character of our state and the character of our people. Georgia is a welcoming state. It is full of loving, kind and generous people. … I intend to do my part to keep it that way. For that reason I will veto House Bill 757.”
I accept that rationale for doing the right thing by the residents of his state who comprise the whole range of humanity — and all sexual orientations.
One of the more fascinating responses to this doing-business-with-gay-people came not long ago from Ohio Gov. John Kasich, one of three men running for the Republican presidential nomination.
During a debate with the other candidates, the question came to Kasich about legislation allowing business owners to deny serving gay individuals or gay couples. Kasich’s response was about as compassionate as it gets.
He said he believes in “traditional marriage,” but said that those who are in business of serving the public need to understand the differences among all people. Some of those differences involve sexual orientation.
He said that if he were put in that position as a business owner, he would serve a gay individual or a gay couple and then would “pray for them” — privately, seeking his own counsel with God.
I hope that’s part of the complexities of the issue thatĀ has driven Gov. Deal to veto this bill approved by his state’s legislature.
Let’s not seek to interpret what is inĀ one man’sĀ heart and soul.
Whatever the reasons, Deal knows what they are. His veto speaks volumes all by itself.