TEP PAC Meet & Greet and Straw Poll a success!

A C Wharton won last night's TEP PAC Straw Poll

I wish you could have all been there.  We had a great happy hour meeting new advocates as well as the candidates running for Memphis City Council in the upcoming election.  It was a relaxing atmosphere in which to discuss equality issues, our concerns, and our hopes with people who will have the power to make a difference.  TEP PAC endorsed candidates attending last evening's soiree included Councilman Myron Lowery, Councilman Jim Strickland, Councilwoman Janis Fullilove, and candidates Paul Shaffer, Lee Harris, and Sylvia Cox.  Getting to talk to these candidates in this informal setting was a unique opportunity, and we appreciate their attendance.

Mayor AC Wharton won the straw poll in a landslide.  In fact, the only vote cast other than for Mayor Wharton went to Prince Mongo, the perennial mayoral candidate.  We congratulate Mayor Wharton, and we thank those who cast their vote in the poll.

The election is already upon us.  Early voting begins September 16 and election day on October 6.  Make your plans to vote and let your voice be heard.  For your benefit,  I've reposted the PAC's election guide.

Thanks to everyone who helped last night, and thank you especially to the Hi-Tone Café for hosting the event.

-          Anne Gullick, TEP Board member and Shelby County Committee Co-Chair

Tennessee Equality Project and MGLCC meet with Memphis Police Department

Memphis, TN. June 29, 2011. Representatives of Tennessee Equality Project and the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center and other members of the LGBT community met privately with Memphis Police Department Director Toney Armstrong and his command staff yesterday. TEP requested the meeting with the Memphis Police Department to discuss LGBT diversity training and other policy matters following news of a police stop of transgender woman Kiare Newsom in May.

Kiare Newsom alleges that officers harassed her during a traffic stop, called her homophobic and transphobic slurs, and told her to lift her shirt along a busy highway. Newsom filed a complaint against the officers involved in the incident with internal affairs. The outcome of that investigation is still pending.

The Tennessee Equality Project Foundation provided LGBT diversity training to the Memphis Police Department Training Academy staff and other officers in 2008 following the beating of transgender woman Duanna Johnson by Bridges McRae, a former Memphis Police Officer. The MPD terminated McRae following the incident, and he is currently serving a jail sentence for violating Duanna Johnson's civil rights. The purpose of Tuesday's meeting included a review of current MPD diversity training curriculum and exploring ways in which the MPD and the LGBT community can work together to ensure that all citizens in the community are protected and treated fairly - with a particular emphasis on transgender individuals.

Director Armstrong expressed a commitment to fairness and treating people equally and is willing to address  concerns about interactions between LGBT members of the community and the MPD. Mayor A C Wharton also visited with the assembled group and offered constructive ideas for addressing presented concerns. The spirit of cooperation among community leaders, Memphis Police Command staff and Mayor Wharton during the meeting encouraged Tuesday's participants to move forward in partnership. We promised to meet again, continue our discussion, and explore more opportunities for community engagement.

- Jonathan Cole

Memphis Employment Non-Discriminattion Ordinance passes first reading

The Memphis Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance protecting city employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression passed its first reading by the Memphis City Council last night with 7 votes in favor, 6 no votes and 1 abstention.

Adoption on first reading for an ordinance is customary, but the usual courtesies and procedures given to most legislation by the council were thrown out last night. Watch the video of the proceedings beginning at 3:39:40.

Ordinances appear for first and second reading on what the Council calls its Consent Agenda. Council rules generally call for ordinances to be bundled and passed together in one motion after they are read. However, Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen Ware informed the Council last night that she would vote against the entire Consent Agenda if it included Councilwoman Fullilove's Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance. Council rules allow for any member of the Council to object to an item on the Consent Agenda. Such objections place an item on the regular agenda to be acted on separately. Ware objected to the ordinance's inclusion on the consent agenda because the ordinance was sent to the full Council from the Personnel Committee without recommendation.

Councilwoman Fullilove attempted to salvage the situation by requesting that her ordinance be take back to committee for more discussion and a recommendation. However, Chairman Collins ruled that Fullilove's ordinance could be pulled out of the Consent Agenda and considered separately according to Council rules.

Before Fullilove's ordinance was voted on, Councilman Bill Morrison proposed a substitute ordinance to replace the original. Morrison's ordinance prohibited employment discrimination based on religion, race, sex, creed, political affiliation, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age or other nonmerit factors. Factors like sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were omitted. All of the non-merit factors listed in Morrison's ordinance are already covered by current municipal, state or federal law. A majority of Council members (including those who supported or opposed Fullilove's inclusive ordinance) voted against Morrison's substitute ordinance. Many council members objected to the substitute because the public was not given a chance to review the new ordinance. The substitute also ignored the original intent of Fullilove's LGBT-inclusive ordinance.

The Council then turned to consider Fullilove's inclusive ordinance. Seven members of the Council voted to adopt the ordinance on first reading. However, some of those yes votes were cast because council members wanted to give the public a full hearing of the legislation. Tennessee Equality Project is pulling out all the stops to ensure that the Council and Mayor AC Wharton support an inclusive ordinance. Supporters in Memphis need to do what it can to convince the Council that this ordinance merits passage at the second and third reading.

If you have not already done so, contact the Memphis City Council here and Mayor AC Wharton here to let them know you support LGBT-inclusive workplace protections in Memphis.

Plan to attend the Personnel Committee and full Council meeting for the second reading on Tuesday, August 24 at 8 AM and 3:30 PM, respectively. We need you at the same meetings on Tuesday, September 14.

Other media reports on yesterday's proceedings:

Commercial Appeal
Out and About
WREG Channel 3
Eyewitness News

Memphians ask Mayor Wharton to take the lead on inclusive workplace protections

Take action today! If you live in Memphis, send a message to Mayor AC Wharton asking him to take the lead on LGBT inclusive workplace protections.

On July 20, a Memphis City Council committee asked Mayor Wharton to clarify his administration's position on the employment non-discrimination ordinance proposed by Councilwoman Janis Fullilove that would extend inclusive workplace protections to sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Mayor Wharton has a declared a vision for making Memphis a City of Choice for employers, job seekers and entrepreneurs. That vision "engages the broad community and at all times respects and embraces diversity." Cities with creative and successful economies embrace diversity in race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Call on Mayor Wharton to send a clear message of support for inclusive workplace protections to the Memphis City Council today!

And mark your calendars for each of the three readings of the employment non-discrimination ordinance before the Memphis City Council: August 10, August 24, and September 14. Equality advocates in the Memphis area must attend these Tuesday meetings at 3:30 PM at 125 North Main Street to show council members that we support LGBT inclusive workplace protections.

- Jonathan Cole, TEP Board Chair

You can help TEP promote legislation that advances LGBT equality at the local and state level. Make a contribution to TEP today at tnep.org/donate. Without your financial support, your voice may not be heard.

A chorus of endorsements for Paul Shaffer

The endorsements for Paul Shaffer to fill the Super District 9 Position 1 seat on the Memphis City Council vacated by Scott McCormick are piling up.

The editorial board of the Commercial Appeal, Congressman Steve Cohen, and Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton join TEP-PAC in recommending him to voters.

FUNDRAISER UPDATE FROM THE SHAFFER CAMPAIGN:

Paul Shaffer for City Council
1899 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN. 38104

October 10, 2008

Dear Friend,

On Tuesday, October 21st from 5:00- 7:30, we are hosting a fundraiser reception for Paul Shaffer, candidate for Memphis City Council, At-Large, District 9-1 at Just for Lunch, 3092 Poplar (Chickasaw Oaks Plaza-just east of the Memphis Public Library). We hope you will attend, and contribute $100, or more (made payable to Paul Shaffer for City Council). You can also mail your check to Paul Shaffer, 1899 Jefferson, Memphis 38104.

Many of you may know Paul as the business manager of the IBEW Local 474 where he oversees over two million dollars in revenue annually. As the business manager, Paul has broad experience in the functions of government, as well as private industry. He has worked to bring jobs, train workers, negotiate and build consensus on economic and other issues with both labor and business leaders and elected officials. As a Memphis City Councilman, he will work to bring more major industry to Memphis.

Paul has been married for 36 years to Madaline Crossley Shaffer. He advocates for better public schools, and his three (now adult) children all graduated from the Memphis City Schools (White Station). Paul supports neighborhood revitalization, and has lived in different areas of the city. He has taught Sunday school and been a youth group leader for the United Methodist Church.

Paul volunteered his services as an electrician for the needy, and helped Habitat for Humanity, and MIFA Meals on Wheels. He is a member in the Wolf River Conservancy. Paul served as a scoutmaster for the boys scouts, and was honored with the George Meany Scouting Award and the Kiwanis Club Joe Fuso Youth Service Award.

We hope you will join us in supporting Paul Shaffer, who has a proven track record of building coalitions to make Memphis better.

David Cocke
Carol Chumney
Commissioner Steve Mulroy
Regina Morrison Newman
Former State Rep. Mary Wilder
David Upton
Dr. Joe & Midge Weinberg

Wharton planning for Memphis Mayor race?

Apparently, Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton has chosen a Treasurer for an unnamed campaign. He won't say that it's for Memphis Mayor, but he isn't denying it either.