Grand Divisions

Tennessee Equality Project seeks to advance and protect the civil rights of our State’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in each Grand Division.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Will Governor Haslam stand up to the bullies in his own party?

In this week's issue of the Memphis Flyer, Copy Editor Joe Brown calls Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to task for whining about the media's coverage of embarassing legislation proposed by his party's government. Haslam recently complained that state and local media favor reporting on the bad bills moving through the Tennessee General Assembly over the "good" legislation supported by his administration. I urge you to read the entire column, but I'll quote some of the best passages.
First of all, the legislature is objectively embarrassing. There is no positive way to spin hate. The party mantra of "job creation" not only rings hollow but plainly stinks when compared to the slate of social laws that are pitched every session. What sort of jobs are you people after? Inquisitors?

A man of your privilege should know that educated people who can be depended upon to solve critical problems in medical research, logistics, and higher management don't respond well to xenophobia and witch-hunt politics. If you want the media to stop reporting this tomfoolery, then stand up for educated, well-mannered people who live here and who are horrified and ashamed by the backward and hateful agenda that apparently equates to success in our General Assembly.

The list of legislation with a conservative social agenda in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly is a long one. TEP has actively opposed a number of these bills that directly affect the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in Tennessee: the "Special Access to Discriminate Act," the "Police the Potty" bill, the "License to Bully" bill, the Anti-GSA School Clubs bill, and the "Don't Say Gay" bill . . . . the list goes on.

Brown later illustrates in his column how anti-LGBT legislation will harm our state's employers:

Anyone who has worked in management in white-collar industry knows that women and gay people are indispensable. This was once made very real to me when I was starting a business here. The potential partner in the concern was an older man, Southern and brusque. He asked me one day in talks, "What do you think of the gays?" As an open-minded child of the New South, I stalled and stuttered wondering what on earth was coming next, when he added, "If I could hire only gays, that's what I would do. They are the best people I can find." He employed many Tennesseans.

Brown understands that businesses cannot afford for the State of Tennessee to create a hostile environment for women and LGBT people without losing valuable employees. The Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Haslam are providing no incentive for talented LGBT professionals or others who want to live in vibrant, diverse communities to remain in or move into the state. Shouldn't the goal of government be to make our state a more attractive place to live and work for all people?

Brown finally warns Governor Haslam of potential consequences if he fails to keep the legislature in check:
Until you stand up to it or openly acknowledge that your party's agenda has become that of seeking lobbying money and riling up hatred, I will fail to take you or your party seriously. I sure as hell won't become a Democrat, but I will hound superstition and political avarice at every turn, because educated people read this paper and others. Their voice deserves a place in our state. Tennessee is becoming a place where educated entrepreneurs and doctors of international renown would feel unwelcome.

The final outcome of the "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB229/SB049) in the House of Representative is still unknown at this writing. HB229 may represent the Governor's last chance during this legislative session to show some backbone as an executive prepared to lead his party and the State of Tennessee. I hope he is up to the task.

- Jonathan Cole

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Send thanks to the Senators who supported equality

Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis)
Sen. Jim Kyle's bill (SB2762) that would have repealed HB600/SB632 failed by a vote of 2 to 6 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee today. Senators Thelma Harper (D) and Joe Haynes (D) voted yes. Senators Stacey Campfield (R), Mike Faulk (R), Jack Johnson (R), Bill Ketron (R), Mark Norris (R) and Ken Yager (R) voted against. Senator Lowe Finney (D) was absent.

B2762 would have restored the Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance which extended LGBT-inclusive workplace protections to employees of Metro Nashville contractors. The legislation would have affirmed the right of all local governments in Tennessee to act in their communities best interest in protecting its citizens from unfair workplace practices.

Thanks to all of you for writing to the committee and to Sen. Kyle for his work.  This vote is one stepping stone in the path full equality in the workplace for Tennesseans. Tennessee Equality Project will continue to fight for equality in the workplace for LGBT people in our state.

Take a moment to write a thank you note to Senator Jim Kyle at sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov for his courage and conviction in seeking to repeal the "Special Access to the Discriminate Act" (HB600/SB632). Be sure to thank Senator Thelma Harper  at sen.thelma.harper@capitol.tn.gov and Joe Haynes at sen.joe.haynes@capitol.tn.gov for their votes.

- Jonathan Cole

Monday, April 2, 2012

Bills we'll be watching the week of April 2, 2012

Tennessee Equality Project will be watching the following legislation that may affect LGBT and their families in Tennessee. Here's a schedule of committee calendars to watch for the week that begins April 2, 2012: 




Tuesday 10:30am - LP 12 - Senate State & Local Government Committee

Final Calendar Note the Committee will meet Wednesday at 3:00 pm in LP 12 to finish the calendar. Items 34 and 35 were added on the floor. MEMBERS: Chair Sen. K. Yager (R), Vice Chair Sen. J. Johnson (R), Secretary Sen. L. Finney (D), Sen. S. Campfield (R), Sen. M. Faulk (R), Sen. T. Harper (D), Sen. J. Haynes (D), Sen. B. Ketron (R), Sen. M. Norris (R)
16.
SB2762
Sen. J. Kyle Jr. (D)
Commercial Law: Repeals Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act.
HB2908 - Rep. B. Gilmore (D) - None
Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 04/03/12.
House Status: None
Last Action Date: 03/29/2012

Tuesday 12:00pm - LP 16 - House Education Committee

MEMBERS: Chair Rep. R. Montgomery (R), Vice Chair Rep. J. Hensley (R), Secretary Rep. J. Carr (R), Rep. H. Brooks (R), Rep. K. Brooks (R), Rep. L. DeBerry (D), Rep. J. Deberry Jr. (D), Rep. B. Dunn (R), Rep. C. Fitzhugh (D), Rep. J. Forgety (R), Rep. R. Lollar (R), Rep. D. Maggart (R), Rep. J. Naifeh (D), Rep. J. Pitts (D), Rep. D. Powers (R), Rep. J. Ragan (R), Rep. R. Williams (R), Rep. J. Windle (D)
11.
HB3621
Rep. J. Gotto (R)
Education: Abstinence centered sex education.
SB3310 - Sen. J. Johnson (R) - 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment, as amended. Sent to Senate Finance, Ways & Means.
Senate Status: 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment, as amended. Sent to Senate Finance, Ways & Means.
House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12.
Last Action Date: 03/29/2012
13.
HB3576
Rep. M. Pody (R)
Education: Religious student organizations in higher education.
SB3597 - Sen. M. Beavers (R) - 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment.
Senate Status: 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment.
House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12.
Last Action Date: 03/29/2012
14.
HB2641
Rep. C. Curtiss (D)
Criminal Law: Images used to harass and bully.
SB2556 - Sen. B. Ketron (R) - 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12.
Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12.
House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12.
Last Action Date: 03/29/2012

Tuesday 3:00pm - LP 12 - Senate Judiciary Committee

Committee will meet on Wednesday at 1:00pm in LP 12 to finish the calendar. MEMBERS: Chair Sen. M. Beavers (R), Vice Chair Sen. D. Overbey (R), Secretary Sen. M. Bell (R), Sen. T. Barnes (D), Sen. S. Campfield (R), Sen. O. Ford (D), Sen. B. Kelsey (R), Sen. B. Marrero (D), Sen. K. Yager (R)
44.
SB2556
Sen. B. Ketron (R)
Criminal Law: Images used to harass and bully.
HB2641 - Rep. C. Curtiss (D) - 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12.
Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12.
House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12.
Last Action Date: 03/29/2012

Senate Judiciary Committee 

Committee will meet on Wednesday at 1:00pm in LP 12 to finish the calendar. MEMBERS: Chair Sen. M. Beavers (R), Vice Chair Sen. D. Overbey (R), Secretary Sen. M. Bell (R), Sen. T. Barnes (D), Sen. S. Campfield (R), Sen. O. Ford (D), Sen. B. Kelsey (R), Sen. B. Marrero (D), Sen. K. Yager (R)
25.
SB2371
Sen. B. Marrero (D)
Criminal Law: Trafficking in commercial sex acts - offense created.
HB2493 - Rep. J. Coley (R) - 03/07/2012 - House General Subcommittee of Finance placed behind the budget.
Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12.
House Status: 03/07/2012 - House General Subcommittee of Finance placed behind the budget.
Last Action Date: 03/29/2012