Story behind the AZ (and other states) bill
The Arizona bill, SB 1062, like the other bills that have been introduced mostly in states where Republicans control the legislature, can be traced back to a richly-funded group called the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a noble-sounding moniker that is as phony as a three-dollar bill.
ADF formerly was known as the Alliance Defense Fund, which was founded by a notorious roster of homophobic Religious Right leaders such as James Dobson of Focus on Family; the Rev. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries; Don Wildmon of the American Family Association; Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ; and more than two dozen other anti-gay figures.
ADF is led by Alan Sears, president, CEO and General Counsel since Alliance Defense Fund debuted in 1993. ADF's board of directors features 12 anti-gay leaders who support only the freedom of its Religious Right members under the pretense of "defending freedom for faith and for justice."
The group makes no bones that it is a "Christian" legal ministry on its website.
[...]
P.S.: The shenanigans aren't over in Arizona, even if Gov. Jan Brewer vetoes this bill. Lawmakers are also considering HB 2481, which would redefine the role of a "minister" to include any official who presides over weddings. This is considered a preemptive strike in case gay marriage ever comes to Arizona, so HB 2481 would allow any "minister" to decline to officiate at weddings of gay and lesbian couples if their "sincerely held religious beliefs" conflict with the law.
(Emphasis added.)
(via Mnemosyne on Balloon-Juice - http://www.balloon-j.../#comment-4890896 )
Cheers,
Scott.
