The state that claims to let its citizens "Live Free or Die" doesn't seem to want to allow everyone live free ... at least not people planning a same-sex wedding. New Hampshire currently has a bill before legislature that would allow people to refuse services to same-sex couples based on religious or conscience reasons. While it doesn't cite same-sex marriage explicitly, HB 1264 would allow business owners to be immune from civil lawsuits if they refused to do business with gay couples planning their weddings. So, in other words, if the bill was passed and a same-sex couple was turned away from a bridal salon (like what happened last summer in New Jersey), that would be acceptable.
Insane. This bill sounds like a blatant attempt to legalize discrimination and make it okay for people to engage in hateful, bigoted behavior.
Because, apparently, they don't have bigger fish to fry! They've gotta make sure there's a law to protect people who have beliefs that could easily be seen as totally backasswards.
Republican Rep. Frank Sapereto of Derry, New Hampshire explained his support for the bill to the local news saying, "We should be free to do business with who we want."
Uh ... huh. Even if you think the law might be a good way to protect business owners from having to serve people they don't "agree with," a bill like this would open a HUGE can of worms. Because why stop with same-sex couples? What if a business owner doesn't "agree with" someone's race or religion? Should they be able to refuse services to them, as well? What if a bakery that sells wedding cakes has a problem with an interracial couple? Should they be able to turn them away?
See, discrimination is discrimination, no matter what kind of fancy "Live Free or Die" rationale you try to hide it behind. Businesses should never be given a free pass to turn their backs to customers they don't like for whatever reason. Those pushing this bill in New Hampshire sure have a twisted sense of what freedom and the values of this country really are all about.
Should business owners be able to discriminate against whomever they wish?
Image via Steve Johnson/Flickr
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Comments 51
If the business is privately owned, yes. Haven't you ever seen a sign that says "We have the right to refuse service"?
Once again, the discriminatee is 'entitled' to more rights than the discriminator. Enough with the PC crap. Don't like it? Then take your business elsewhere.
i can't believe a business owner would be that bull-headed about it, i mean, it's money for crying out loud. it's not like they are asking them to run drugs, they just want to buy something. morons.
I think they have a right to refuse service when it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Does this site not discriminate against dads being members? Know what? It's this site's RIGHT to do that. So, you can't have it both ways when you don't like or respect another person's belief.
Since when does the government have the power or right to tell a person who they must associate with? Have any of you who are all for "anti-discrimination" laws ever read the Constitution? If so perhaps you can point out which part gives the government power you are so anxious for them to enforce?
Excellent point welchiscool! Pot meet kettle. CafeMom not only discriminates against men, but also against women who are not mothers. You can't have it both ways. You are either for an individual or business' right to free association or you are not. And if you are not, as the author is claiming in her indignant post above, then I expect to see a denouncement of CafeMom's policy forthwith. Any minute now....
Are we really having this argument again? When you open a business up to public consumption then you are subject to laws that protect people from discrimination. You can't just arbitrarily decide not to provide goods or services to any particular group because you feel like it. Sexual orientation should be one of the things you can't discriminate against. If you don't want to associate with customers, then don't own a business.
Let's put this another way. I hate Canadians. Those polite bastards come in their buses with their silly accents saying 'aboot' all the time. Should I be allowed to refuse them service just because they're wearing hockey shirts and eating donuts?
Sounds pretty stupid, eh?