City of Memphis employees and advocates support an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance

Memphis, TN, September 6, 2012 — Tennessee Equality Project joins a chorus of voices calling for equal opportunity in employment for City of Memphis job applicants and workers. Memphis City Councilman Lee Harris is sponsoring an employment non-discrimination ordinance which would expand current workplace protections to include age and disability.

A coalition of City of Memphis employees, employee associations, unions and community advocates supports expansion of the current ordinance to include age and disability as well as sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to ensure unbiased decisions for these non-merit factors in city employment. Coalition leaders believe that the ordinance must be amended at the third reading of the ordinance to include the above non-merit factors as prohibited forms of bias in the workplace. The Memphis City Council will vote on this ordinance on Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

Here’s what coalition leaders are saying:

"The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has led the way among unions demanding equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender workers," said Chad Johnson, Executive Director of AFSCME Local 1733. "AFSCME has long believed that employment decisions should be made on the basis of an individual's ability to perform a job. Workers should not live in fear of losing their jobs or being denied promotions because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age or disability.  AFSCME Local 1733 supports adding age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to the non-discrimination ordinance for the City of Memphis."

Memphis Police officers work in a department that reflects the diverse characteristics of race, ethnicity, religious belief, political affiliation, age, ability, and sexual orientation in the community they serve. According to Officer Michael Williams, “the Memphis Police Association supports an employment non-discrimination ordinance which reflects this diversity and protects city employees. We believe that officers who are protected from unfair employment discrimination on the job will do better at protecting the safety of all people in the community they serve.”

As a Lieutenant for the Memphis Fire Department with 18 years as firefighter, Gordon Ginsberg believes in treating the firefighters in his company fairly and equally on the job: "No one should have to fear losing their job or being passed over for advancement because of who they are. It's always about who can get the job done. Non-merits factors like race, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status should never play a part in employment decisions or workplace practices. I believe we Memphians need a clear specific ordinance for a few reasons. One, I believe it will help me execute my duties within the chain-of-command by underscoring the City of Memphis' commitment to our values. Another is to assure and reassure beyond any doubt that the rights of workers under my supervision will be protected. A third is to reinforce the seriousness among all employees of respecting workplace rights. I support an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance for City of Memphis employees.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) supported previous efforts to expand the list of non-merit factors in the City of Memphis non-discrimination ordinance. IBEW Local 474 Business Manager Paul Shaffer recently confirmed IBEW’s continued support for a comprehensive ordinance that includes age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

“Employment discrimination strips away the right of workers to be judged on their merits and abilities,” said Madeleine C. Taylor, Executive Director of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP. “Every American must be allowed to contribute to society without facing unfair discrimination on account of race, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our fight for social justice will continue until all can be protected in the work place. The NAACP supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance for the city of Memphis that includes the above factors to protect city workers. Other Tennessee cities have assumed their responsibility in protecting the rights of city

workers and Memphis should do the same.”

ADAPT of Tennessee is a chapter of National ADAPT, a grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.  Americans with disabilities have not enjoyed equal access to transportation, housing, and employment. Josue Rodriguez of ADAPT of Tennessee recognizes other marginalized groups in our society who have not enjoyed equal opportunity in Memphis: "ADAPT fully supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance that expands current protections for City of Memphis workers to include age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity."

The Shelby County Democratic Party has supported LGBT-inclusive initiatives for equality along with  President Barack Obama. Van Turner, Shelby County Democratic Party Chair, states that “the party wholeheartedly supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance for City of Memphis employees. Considering that Nashville, Knoxville and Oak Ridge have already enacted similar measures, Memphis must move swiftly to demonstrate our commitment to equality and inclusion for all.”

“The members of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center wholeheartedly support the passage of an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance for employees of the City of Memphis,” states Executive Director Jacob Flowers. “We know first-hand that workers suffer from discrimination in a variety of workplaces. It is important that our city show the way forward for other entities in our region by passing such an ordinance. Plus, it puts us on par with other municipalities in Tennessee that have passed similar laws to protect its workers. As elected representatives of the citizens of Memphis, it is our hope, that you would seek to lessen the chances of discrimination by any means, this is one simple step that can be taken.”

“Work is an essential part of who we are as Americans, as Mid-Southerners, and as human beings,” says Will Batts, Executive Director of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC). “It is no longer acceptable that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees must live in fear in their own workplace. Justice demands that each employee be judged simply by their ability to do the job. City government, especially, must lead the way in treating each of our citizens with the dignity, respect and fairness that we all deserve. MGLCC absolutely supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance that expands current protections for City of Memphis workers to include age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

The Tennessee Equality Project joins the coalition of support for equal opportunity in the workplace and an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance for City of Memphis employees. It’s time for Memphis to join other cities of comparable size and larger as well as Tennessee cities like Nashville and Knoxville which already prohibit employment discrimination based on age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. TEP calls on the Memphis City Council to amend the current ordinance by including the above non-merits factors on Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2012.

CONTACT:

Jonathan Cole

Tennessee Equality Project

JMCole1970@gmail.com

901-301-3306

tnep.org

Zombie Walk for Equality seeks to reanimate government

In just three days, zombies shall descend upon historic Beale Street in Memphis in search of tasty brains.

At first glance, this might appear to be an apocalypse of the undead, but it's really a protest of the lack of delicious brains in those elected to govern the State of Tennessee, Shelby County and the City of Memphis. With the passage of the Special Access to Discriminate Act (HB600/SB632) and the advance of the Don’t Say Gay bill (SB049) in 2011, there is little evidence of intelligent governance at the state level. At the local level, Memphis and Shelby County governments can’t seem to understand the importance of enacting ordinances that offer simple workplace protections for government employees. 

Will the Tennessee General Assembly continue to take away the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in 2012? Will Memphis or Shelby County ever pass ordinances that prohibit discrimination against government employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity?

Tennessee Equality Project calls on all zombies to join our search for intelligent brains in state and local government. Help us call attention to the fact that brains that value inclusion, diversity and equality not only taste better, but improve the lives of all people in our community. 

Join TEP’s Zombie Walk for Equality in the Midsouth Pride Parade on October 15, 2011. Dress up like a zombie and make a clever sign. The lineup for the walking dead starts at 1 PM at 4th and Beale Street. Step off is a 2 PM. This peaceful walking group in the pride parade is designed to be fun and find some humor in the tragedy of bad governance.

To join TEP's Zombie Walk for Equality in the Midsouth Pride Parade on October 15, 2011, here's what you need to do:

1. Tell us you plan to attend the Zombie Walk for Equality at this link.
2. Invite your friends and family to participate by sharing this post with your friends.
3. Make a clever sign with a zombie and equality theme (Keep it civil - this is a family-friendly event).
4. Dress up like a zombie (see below).
5. Line up with the other walking dead at 1 PM at 4th and Beale Street on Oct. 15. Step off is a 2 PM.

Need some help on Zombie makeup?

 

During the Midsouth Pride Festival which begins at 10 AM at Robert Church Park, the Haus of Masquerade will be painting zombie makeup from 10 AM until 1:45 PM for $20 a head (with $5 going to TEP. This is a great option for folks without makeup experience who would like to participate.

YouTube offers a number of video tutorials to help you create the perfect zombie look for those who want to create their own look. Party City at Poplar Plaza Shopping Mall has great makeup supplies for would-be zombies. Take a look at these creative examples for makeup ideas or search for your own on YouTube:

Pastor Steve Gaines leads attack against working people in Memphis City Elections

In a special email alert sent Tuesday of this week, Bellevue Baptist Church called on members to vote against equality and fairness in the current City of Memphis elections scheduled for October 6, 2011. The church mentioned the Tennessee Equality Project's Political Action Committee specifically in the email and on its blog:

It's shocking to learn that Pastor Steve Gaines called upon his flock to vote for Memphis City Council candidates who support a "pro-family" agenda. Pastor Gaines is the same man who secretlyprotected a confessed child molester on Bellevue's clergy staff for over 6 months; the same man who allowed this child abuser to counsel others who worked with children; The same man who allowed a sexual predator to counsel victims of child sexual abuse. What qualifies Pastor Gaines to say anything meaningful about family values when he places victims of abuse and children in his own church at risk?

The link provided in the message leads to the Family Action Council of Tennessee's website listing of "pro-family" candidates to support for Memphis City Council. Pastor Gaines is using his bully pulpit to attack law abiding people who simply want the right to make a living in Memphis. He's also using his Bible and church to prop up his personal bias and bigotry against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Gaines lives outside Memphis city limits yet believes he should determine the fate of city elections.

How firmly does Pastor Steve Gaines pull the strings of Councilors Morrison, Boyd, and Conrad? How "pro-family" or pro-worker can these candidates be if Pastor Gaines is calling the shots from his pulpit? Surely the good people in the pews at Bellevue Baptist Church and the people of Memphis deserve guidance from better men than this.

Truly pro-family voters will be voting for candidates who support the right of all people to earn a living, provide for their families and contribute to their communities without fear of unfair workplace discrimination. Voters can be proud to cast their vote in District 1, District 2, and Superdistrict 9-1 for pro-equality and pro-family candidates endorsed by TEP PAC: Kendrick Sneed, Sylvia Cox and Paul Schaffer. They aren't likely to succumb to a false prophet like Steve Gaines.

Learn about the other equality advocates endorsed by TEP PAC here.

- Jonathan Cole

TEP PAC is a state political action committee registered in Tennessee, Joyce Peacock, treasurer. The endorsements of TEP PAC do not necessarily represent the views of the board of the Tennessee Equality Project. 

The unfinished business of equality in the Bluff City - Part 1

In 2010, the Memphis City Council failed to enact employment non-discrimination legislation that would provide LGBT-inclusive workplace protections to employees of Memphis City government and employees of city contractors. A resolution protecting contract employees never made it out of committee and the employment non-discrimination ordinance (ENDO) failed by one vote on second reading.

Since that time, the legal frame work for extending workplace protections to employees was narrowed by the Tennessee General Assembly with the "Special Access to Discriminate" Act (HB600/SB632). In the State of Tennessee, local governments are prohibited from protecting the employees of private employers from unfair discrimination if state law does not already protect those employees - even when those private employees are paid with your tax dollars. Tennessee Equality Project has joined other plaintiffs in a court challenge of the SAD Act. 

While the SAD Act hinders efforts in the private sector to protect employees, the City of Memphis can protect government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. City of Memphis elections on October 6 present a new opportunity to advance workplace equality in Memphis for city employees. 

Within days, TEP PAC will announce endorsements for Memphis City Council. When this happens, we hope that you'll make a commitment to support these endorsed candidates as a volunteer for their campaigns, with contributions to fund their campaigns, and - most important - with your vote. Early voting begins Sep. 16, so there are only 5 weeks to educate voters about the equality advocates running for office. 

What will you do to help resolve the unfinished business of equality in the Bluff City?

- Jonathan Cole

Memphis City Council votes favorable on LGBT-inclusive workplace protections

 

Equality advocates at
Memphis City Council

Equality advocates prevailed at last night's meeting of the Memphis City Council. The Council voted favorably on two separate items concerning LGBT-inclusive workplace protections.  Watch the proceedings here for the vote on the Consent Agenda that included the Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance (the Item #5 at 2:14:37) and the debate, public comment from citizens and the vote on the Discrimination Study Resolution at (Item #31 at 2:47:22). Many thanks to everyone who attended or spoke at the meeting, made phone calls, or sent messages of support to the City Council.

The council voted yes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance (Item#5) as it appeared within the Consent Agenda with other resolutions and ordinances. The ordinance would prohibit employment discrimination in City Government based on a number of non-merit factors including sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE). The last time that the ENDO appeared in a first reading (Aug. 10), Councilwoman Swearengen Ware requested the ENDO be voted on separately which opened the ordinance to amendments weakening the legislation. Her absence from the council this time due to an indictment on a charge of official misconduct probably made the legislative process smoother this time.

This time the vote on the consent agenda was as close as the first time, gaining the 7 votes necessary to pass out of the 11 members present:

Yes: Collins, Halbert, Strickland, Ford, Lowery, Fullilove, and Flinn.
No: Boyd, Conrad
Abstained: Brown, Morrison
Absent: Hedgepeth
Suspended: Swearengen Ware

Send a message of thanks to each of the council members who voted yes at this link for keeping the chance for LGBT-inclusive workplace protections alive. They need to hear from you before the second reading on Nov. 23.

The next item on the agenda (#31) was a resolution calling for a comprehensive review of discrimination based on non-merit factors including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in every division of city government. The measure passed with a more comfortable margin with nine votes:

Yes: Morrison, Boyd, Collins, Halbert, Strickland, Ford, Lowery, Fullilove, and Flinn.

No: Conrad

Abstained: Brown

Absent: Hedgepeth
Suspended: Swearengen Ware

What's next? The ENDO will appear for second reading in the Consent Agenda at the Nov. 23 meeting of the Memphis City Council (3:30 PM). Our sponsor and supporters on the Council have asked that equality advocates be present for this second reading, especially since the vote is so close. After the second reading, the ENDO will be held for third reading until the results of the discrimination study is received by the Council.



Implementation of the Study Resolution that passed is a complicated matter requiring that several concerns be addressed. Representatives of Tennessee Equality Project and Family Action Council of Tennessee have been invited to work with the Director of Human Resources for the City of Memphis to develop a study process that is fair, objective, and impartial. TEP will seek to ensure that the survey process protects the confidentiality of employees since many of the City employees that we've spoken to fear coming forward with their experiences of discrimination in the workplace due to concerns about harassment and retaliation.

In addition to contacting your Memphis City Council members in support of LGBT-inclusive workplace protections, you can support the advancement of equality in your community by making a contribution to Tennessee Equality Project. You can donate here or make your contribution in person at a House Party benefiting TEP at 7 PM on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 1889 Nelson Avenue in Memphis (click here for full details).