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Back to To the Point

To the Point

The Clash of Religious Freedom and Civil Rights

Arizona's Senate Bill 1062 did not give businesses the right to discriminate against gays and lesbians, but it did say they could use religious belief as a defense if they were sued for refusing service.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Arizona's Senate Bill 1062 did not give businesses the right to discriminate against gays and lesbians, but it did say they could use religious belief as a defense if they were sued for refusing service. In any case, the issue has not disappeared since Governor Jan Brewer vetoed the measures under heavy pressure from businesses and gay rights groups. As more and more states recognize the right to same-sex marriage, some religious conservatives are finding ways to fight back. Photographers, bakers and florists have claimed they can't participate in same-sex weddings without violating their religious beliefs. Is that outright discrimination or an exercise of the First Amendment? Can hotels, restaurants or other public businesses do the same thing? We hear how the Religious Freedom Movement is making waves from Arizona and other states to the US Supreme Court.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

  • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

    Sonya Geis

    Senior Managing Editor

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    Benjamin Gottlieb

    Reporter, Fill-in Host

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    Juliet Eilperin

    senior national affairs correspondent for The Washington Post

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    John Eastman

    National Organization for Marriage

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    Rob Boston

    Americans United for Separation of Church and State

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