Matthew Shepard and Coming Out

Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, the Wyoming college student who was brutally attacked and left for dead hanging on a fence in the cold night air. Tomorrow is National Coming Out Day that celebrates the often difficult decision that people make to be honest about their sexual orientation.

Events around Tennessee will provide an opportunity for the GLBT community to reflect on both. Today I'll be speaking to a group of Vanderbilt medical students and on Sunday I'll be in Chattanooga for their annual hate crimes vigil that kicks off a week of activities for Tennessee Valley Pride.

The pairing of the two reminds us of the risks to our lives. We've seen a rash of hate violence already this year in Tennessee. Given the danger we face, I'm amazed and humbled that our movement makes progress. And I'm amazed and frustrated that there is not a national consensus that violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity should be covered in federal hate crimes laws.

Coming home from Kentucky last weekend, I heard a radio preacher fulminating against the Matthew Shepard Act that would add these two categories to federal law. He violated a commandment in the process. He repeated the common fear tactic that hate crimes laws would restrict the freedom of the pulpit to denounce the "abomination of homosexuality." The proposed law criminalizes behavior and it adds law enforcement resources to deal with the problem. Pure and simple. It does not restrict speech or religion.

At one level, I'm comforted that all our opponents have left are lies as their last defense against a just law. On the other hand, I'm angry that these lies generate enough calls and emails to Tennessee's U.S. Senators to prevent them from voting for the Matthew Shepard Act.

So Lamar, Bob, and Bob, I hope 2008 is the last year in U.S. history that federal law overlooks the violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Whoever among you enters the Senate chambers next year, have the courage to defend all your fellow Tennesseans. In most places in Tennessee, local law enforcement are either uninformed or unwilling to devote the resources to investigating and solving hate crimes in our state. We need the involvement of the FBI if we're going to put a dent in the problem. That won't happen unless you and your colleagues support the Matthew Shepard Act.

Cover America Now! rally draws politicians, activists

The Cover America Now! rally drew several hundred union members, activists, and a few politicians to Legislative Plaza this evening for speeches and musical acts highlighting the need for health care reform. Among those attending were Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Tuke, Democrat Mike Stewart running for TN House in the 52nd District, and at-large Metro Council Member Jerry Maynard.

The coverage was eclectic including WTVF and BBC Radio. Singer Jonell Mosser and the Rev. Ed Sanders of the Metropolitan Interdenominational Church got the most excited reaction from the crowd of progressive activists and United Steelworkers, SEIU members, and other union representatives.

The Tennessee Equality Project was one of several organizations that sponsored the event.

The Senatorials on the Knoxville Church Shooting

I've been looking around for what our U.S. Senators and candidates for Senate have had to say about the tragic attack on the members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Since it's this week's biggest story out of Tennessee and since the Senate voted in September on the Matthew Shepard Act, which would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to federal hate crimes laws, I think it's important to know what they have to say. While statements may not seem like much, at times like this, it helps the community heal when leaders reach out, whatever their positions may be on the specifics of policy.

Senator Bob Corker: As far as I can tell, Senator Corker was the first to issue a statement. He says that he has reached out to Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. Although Senator Corker did not vote for the Matthew Shepard Act, he deserves praise for making his support of the Knoxville community and for local officials known so quickly. It's the right example.

Mike Padgett: I looked on the campaign site and at first didn't find anything. I also didn't recall the shooting being mentioned in any emails. So I contacted Terry Quillen, who pointed out the Knoxville Democrat's blog post dated July 28. His own First Baptist Church hosted a service of prayer for the community. Highlighting the bridge building between two very different congregations is also the right response.

Chris Lugo: Chris Lugo reacted to the news Monday by calling Tennessee Valley UU a "beacon of joy and hope in East Tennessee" and by urging comprehensive gun control.

Bob Tuke: I haven't found a statement yet, so I've asked the campaign for comment.

Kenneth Eaton: I didn't see anything on the main campaign site or on his blog. I've requested comment.

Senator Lamar Alexander: I couldn't find a statement at the Senate or campaign site and I've asked for comment from his campaign, too.

Again, I want to point out that a statement in itself isn't everything. The candidates may have reached out in other ways. I also want to be sure to add that I could have missed their statements. I hope to have updates on all the campaigns whose information I'm lacking.

I-40 Mike

Tonight Mike Padgett was kicking off early voting in Knoxville and will be in Memphis by Saturday. The I-40 run highlights the Democratic Senate candidate's push throughout the state:

“I have connected with Tennesseans from the smallest counties to the biggest Metro areas, in all 95 counties, and a red plaid shirt is about all they can recall about their current U.S. senator."

Both campaigns have done a good job of putting out information about their candidates; the media have not decided to pick up what they're laying down, though. That's a shame.

If it weren't for blogs, I'm not sure anyone would be paying attention to the primary. In the end, I think nothing overwhelmingly positive or negative stuck to either candidate in the public's imagination. So we are left with Bob Tuke's fundraising advantage and Mike Padgett's concerted effort to be everywhere.

Tuke in the scrum

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Bob Tuke was spotted at a yard sale held by the Nashville Grizzlies Rugby Football Club today. One of TEP's board members, who also happens to be a Grizzly, reports that he even bought something.

The Grizzlies are raising funds for their June trip to Dublin, Ireland where they will participate in their first Bingham Cup, a tournament that takes place every two years for rugby teams made up primarily of gay men. It is named for Mark Bingham, who died defending the crew of United Airlines flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Bingham was a member of the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club, another predominantly gay team.

TEP's lobbyist, Jenny Ford, who has become quite a rugby groupie, says she may be blogging from Dublin next month. Stay tuned.

Speaking of oil...

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett devotes his Earth Day message to alternative energy sources. He hits Senator Lamar Alexander on gas prices and vote on a recent energy bill:

In 2008, the average Tennessee family will spend close to $5,000 on gas.
“A fellow told me last night he spent more than $90 to fill up his pickup,” Padgett said. “Remember when gas was $1.24 a gallon? That was the average cost before Senator Alexander took office.

“Americans expect their leaders to try to fix the problems that make life tough. But when an energy bill came up in the Senate last December to enforce better mileage and develop other energy sources, Senator Alexander, President Bush and other Republicans threatened to scuttle it.

“Why? Because it would have ended some of the huge tax breaks going to the oil industry. Only when that part of the bill – along with some of the alternative energy funding – was taken out did they agree to let it go through."

His opponent Bob Tuke doesn't say a great deal about energy policy on his site, so I've signed up for his email updates. Tuke does mention the rising gas prices but mainly with respect to its impact upon family budgets.

Senator Alexander recently wrote about energy policy from the point of view of TVA's efforts to find clean energy source to reduce our dependence on coal. Yesterday he spoke about the importance of setting aside more land for parks as a viable form of conservation. In particular, he addresses the Gulf of Mexico Security Act of 2006, which takes oil and natural gas production royalties and devotes them to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. I'm not sure how that addresses the price of gas, but I'd be happy for someone to post and make the connection.

So basically, all three candidates have noticed the price of gas is going up. Padgett, so far, has the clearest message on why that should be a liability for one of his opponents. Whether any of the three candidates can match some concrete policy to the "Gee, gas prices are too high" rhetoric remains to be seen.

Padgett knocks Alexander's flat tax

Here's what Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mike Padgett had to say about Sen. Lamar Alexander's advocacy of the flat tax in a press release today:

“Take the few folks who make more than $350,000 a year. A flat rate would cut their tax bill in half,” Padgett said. “What do the folks in the middle get? A slight change in their taxes and an easier form to fill out.”

Senator Alexander said earlier this week that he liked the idea of an optional 17 percent flat tax on individuals and businesses, and he touted the simplicity of having only a one-page form to fill out.

“If Senator Alexander were serious about lifting some of the load off of the working class, he would not have voted at least a dozen times to block tax cuts that were targeted for middle- and lower-income taxpayers,” Padgett said.

“What about tax cuts that would really make a difference in the working family’s budget – a tuition tax credit equal to 50 percent of college costs, for example, or a first-time homeowner tax credit? How about doubling the tax credit for child-care expenses?

“How do you pay for them? You REDUCE the tax breaks we are giving the biggest earners instead of EXPANDING them, as Senator Alexander’s flat tax would do."

Padgett doesn't mention his Democratic primary opponent Bob Tuke in his release. He's clearly running against Alexander already. This allows him to show contrast without increasing Tuke's name recognition.

On his website, Tuke, says, "I will vote to repeal parts of the Bush tax cuts that favor wealthy Americans, and sponsor legislation that will give tax relief to middle-class Americans. I will remove existing tax incentives that make it too easy for American businesses to ship American jobs overseas." Additionally, Tuke has this piece on Alexander's flat tax proposal at Huffington Post. He pulls no punches with this section:

"Senator Alexander this is your chance to put me in my place. Prove to me this isn't an election year gimmick.

Better yet, let's schedule a public meeting to discuss it. Bring your plan. We will invite the media and have a calm chat about your plan.

I'm calling your bluff. I want to see your hole card."

I didn't find much about the flat tax on Alexander's candidate site. That doesn't mean it's not there. It's just not one of the obvious features of how he's identifying himself on the site. But his press release about the proposal is easily found at his official Senate site.

Tuke's strategy is interesting. Having a piece at Huffington Post will help his name recognition nationally and perhaps in Tennessee's urban areas and may even help national fundraising. But the race is in Tennessee, after all. Padgett's focus on Tennessee media and plain spokenness should be an asset with voters. I have to give Tuke credit, too, for the forcefulness with which he raised questions in his piece. If Padgett's release and Tuke's piece are a preview to what might happen in debates with Alexander, then I think either Democratic candidate will score some points.

Still, either will have to be careful because Alexander is well loved in Tennessee and his pleasant, calm demeanor can be disarming and make an opponent look angry. We've seen the dangers of the word "bitter" in the presidential debate. While it's hazardous to classify voters as bitter, it's a good word to tag your opponent with if it sticks.

Padgett hits Alexander on new GI bill

In a press release today, Mike Padgett asks, “So, why hasn’t Senator Alexander signed on – like 10 other Republicans in the Senate – to support it and give our heroes the benefits they deserve? Maybe he follows the twisted logic of the White House, which says the better benefits will hurt recruitment and military regiment. If you can make sense of that, please explain it to me.” He's referring to the newly revised GI bill proposed by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va) and Sen. John Warner (R-Va). http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=293906 .

Padget may have found the one place where it's almost universally accectable to talk about class--the needs of our troops and veterans. Evoking Jim Webb is a smart move, too, given that unconventional Democrat's ability to win in the conservative Commonwealth of Virginia. I wonder whether such connections will have resonance in upper East Tennessee along the Virginia border where Webb commercials no doubt flooded the airwaves during the last senatorial election.

I am a little surprised that Bob Tuke, the other Democrat in the race, hasn't made more of the issue. As a veteran, he'd surely agree with Padgett, but it appears Padgett got to it first (as far as I can tell) and staked out the ground.

Tuke troubles: eVites and phone calls not returned

Matt Pulle is relentless in dogging Bob Tuke for not getting back to him on any number of things. He starts with the fact that Tuke won't attack Lamar Alexander over the Gus Puryear affair. But then the issue turns to modes of communication. Tuke used eVite to invite folks to his fundraising event. Hey, we used it at TEP too, but, um, our parties aren't usually in the $1000 range. But back to the story... Pulle notes that as a result of using eVite, Tuke "outed" those who couldn't be at the soiree. Ouch!

http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2008/03/all_tuke_all_the_time.php

It's hard to say why Mr. Tuke won't return Mr. Pulle's calls. Matt, to use a well worn phrase, maybe he's just not that into you.

Call me

No, I'm not referring to that race-bating commercial used against Harold Ford, Jr. in his Senate bid. This time it's Matt Pulle of the Nashville Scene calling on Senate candidate Bob Tuke to return his calls: http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2008/03/hello_its_me.php