Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has vetoed the so-called “religious freedom” bill that would have, in effect, legalized discrimination. The bill was prompted, in part, by some business owners who did not want to serve gay customers.

She had been facing enormous opposition over SB1062, some of it coming from Republicans, certainly from Democrats, and a lot of it from big business. Also, she can see that in state after state gay marriage bans are being struck down by judges who were appointed by both Democrats and Republicans. The tide of history is moving toward national recognition of gay marriage, and to try and swim against that tide was going to be enormously expensive and ultimately unsuccessful. There would have been boycotts, court challenges, and lots of bad will generated for Arizona.

This is one of those cases where it was the right decision for financial as well as moral reasons.