Some Arizonans 'outraged, embarrassed' by 1062

TOP: In response to SB 1062, Scott Koehler’s FastSigns on Central has turned out hundreds of signs that allow businesses to say they will serve all customers. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Kirsten Kraklio)
BOTTOM: Stacy Louis, owner of the bar and dance club Stacy’s at Melrose, is displaying three of the signs. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Kirsten Kraklio)

[Gazette Blog Editor's note: Yes, we realize SB1062 has been vetoed.  In fact, we were among the first to break the news.  Scroll down for that story.  But we found this story interesting nonetheless, and it gives us the opportunity to show the world that there are lots of people in Arizona who are not racists, bigots and dumb asses.]

By KIRSTEN KRAKLIO Cronkite News Service 

PHOENIX – Scott Koehler’s feelings on SB 1062 are no secret to those passing his printing business on North Central Avenue.

“Governor Brewer Veto SB 1062 / Bad For Business Bad for Arizona,” reads a banner covering much of the north side of FastSigns on Central.

Now he’s helping other businesses chime in, producing more than 1,800 signs that read “Open For Business To Everyone!”

Koehler said business owners are snapping them up as fast as his team can make them.

“I’m glad that people are really excited about it, supporting it and getting on board because the whole objective is we want Governor Brewer to see the outcry from the business community against the bill,” he said. “Hopefully she’ll see that and veto the bill.”

Stacy Louis, owner of Stacy’s at Melrose, a bar and dance club displaying three of the signs, said SB 1062 takes him back to the civil rights battles of the ’60s.

“I just saw so much hatred and so much fighting to get equal rights for people,” he said.

Louis said he’s also worried that Arizona tourism would suffer if the bill becomes law.
“Arizona is a pretty nice destination for a lot of gay and lesbian people, and I think this may dissuade them from coming here,” he said.

Koehler said his signs help send a message to the nation.

“The more signs that are out there, the more people that are outside of the state are going to see that a couple people in the Legislature that decided to push a bill through are not the voice of the entire state of Arizona,” he said.

Phoenix resident Teresa Dendy dropped by Koehler’s shop to pick up one of the signs even though she doesn’t own a business.

“Not everyone here agrees with this bill,” she said. “Some of us are outraged and embarrassed.”