The Republic | azcentral.com Mon Feb 24, 2014 2:38 PM

Many voices, one message: Gov. Jan Brewer, veto this bill.

Do it immediately. Do it with compassion and dignity. Do it for Arizona.

The wide diversity of those urging Brewer to veto SB 1062 reveals how bad it really is. Opponents come from the right and the left. From business, economic development, faith and civil liberties communities.

The CEOs of the state’s top business groups – Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Leadership and the Southern Arizona Leadership Council – want Brewer to veto.

“The legislation is also already clearly having a negative effect on our tourism industry, one of the largest sectors of the economy,” several of the CEOs wrote. “The bill could also harm job creation efforts and our ability to attract and retain talent.”

The business leaders were joined Monday by three GOP members of the state Senate who voted for the bill. Sens. Adam Driggs, Bob Worsley and Steve Pierce sent a letter to Brewer urging a veto.

Their opposition is welcome. A similarly spirited campaign from the business groups and GOP lawmakers could have squelched this bill last week. Its mere passage has hurt Arizona.

The damage will grow the longer this bill survives. Brewer can start the healing with a quick, decisive veto. She can use the opportunity to loudly and clearly tell the world that Arizona is an open, welcoming state that does not countenance discrimination.

The Legislature’s approval of the bill undermined the state’s goal of attracting high-tech industry. Seventy percent of people born after 1980 support same-sex marriage, according to Pew Research. High-tech firms locate in places talented, young people find attractive.

The right to refuse service bill makes Arizona an unattractive butt of late-night comedy and snarky tweets.

Is some of it over the top? You bet. Does some exaggerate? Yes.

But legislation that allows businesses to refuse service to gays and lesbians on religious grounds provides enough substance to support tagging our state as a bastion of bigotry.

That’s not good for business. It’s not good for people.

Opposition to this legislation comes from Arizona’s two GOP senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, who want Brewer to veto this bill.

It comes from religious leaders. “I have to respect that some people disagree on the issue of homosexuality” but “to legislate in this manner is ... not what Jesus would have had us do,” Tucson pastor Steve Melde said.

It comes from leading gubernatorial candidates, who call the bill “unnecessary” (GOP Ken Bennett) and a “job killer” (Democrat Fred DuVal). Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and State Treasurer Doug Ducey urge a veto. Former GoDaddy corporate attorney Christine Jones called it a distraction from a focus on the economy.

The measure is championed by socially conservative groups that oppose gay marriage. They say they want to protect religious freedom, citing instances where increased legal and cultural acceptance of homosexuality created conflicts for business owners whose beliefs condemn it.

Individuals are free to turn their backs on anyone they want. But when you create a business and enter the public marketplace, that is no longer true. It cannot be.

Brewer should not hesitate. She should not equivocate. She should strongly condemn this legislation as out-of-touch with the rule of law and Arizona’s historic acceptance of people as they are..

She should veto it without delay.