No retreat, no surrender

Today a big chunk of Tennesseans woke up to Sunday papers covering the resilience of Tennessee's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. Both pieces show why we're here to stay and why we will ultimately prevail in spite of a hostile political climate.

Thriving beyond discrimination: Tennessean readers couldn't avoid the extensive piece about former Belmont University soccer coach Lisa Howe and how she has become a catalyst and fighter for a new phase in the equal rights movement in Tennessee. Her experience led to the Metro Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance, which was nullified by HB600, setting off a statewide conversation. The story hits a lot of the biggies--job discrimination, marriage, and family life.

Rep. Glen Casada, the sponsor of the infamous HB600, rehashed his talking points for the piece:

“Cities just need to abide by the state law when it comes to discrimination,” he said. “We don’t want the government telling every business what they can and cannot do. We want a uniform set of rules, and that’s what this law is attempting to do.”

Can the story of a life that is emblematic of the ways people have been touched by discrimination be buried by the imagined need for uniform business standards masking bigoted motives? No. The story simply will not die. In fact, it continues to gain traction months after Governor Bill Haslam signed the bill. The story lives because Lisa and others continue to fight.

We're popping up everywhere, even in Red Bank: Times Free Press readers must be pausing today as they find out that the Southeast TN community of Red Bank has a high concentration of same-sex couples. Hamilton County as a whole saw a 58% increase in same-sex couples over the last ten years. The piece indicates what those of us inside the community know--not only is the community growing, but we're more out and visible than ever before. If discriminatory laws are designed to drive us out of state or underground, they're not working.

The fight goes on: As Obi-Wan said, "If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine." Lisa Howe and those couples living in Red Bank may not be conventional activists, but they will show us the way. To those opposed to equality, Tennessee's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community in solidarity with our allies says, "We will come out. We will live our lives. We will out-lobby you (even if it takes years). We will take you to court. We will out-media you. We will resist you with everything we have because our lives and the lives of those we love depend on it. And we will be equal."

-Chris Sanders

Messages of inclusion in Williamson and Wilson Counties: How I spent my day

As it happens, I was in Williamson and Wilson Counties today. These two counties elected the House and Senate sponsors of SB0632/HB0600 or what we call the Special Access to Discriminate bill. If Sen. Mae Beavers or Rep. Glen Casada had been around today, they would have heard words maybe they aren't used to in their backyards, or maybe they do hear them but ignore them.

The first event was Nashville CABLE's "Power of Inclusion" awards luncheon. TEP received the award in the non-profit category for our work supporting the Metro Council on the 2009 and 2011 Metro non-discrimination ordinances. The event took place at the Cool Springs Marriott. The work of advancing legal protections for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community was completely embraced by this incredible network of professional women and I was glad that these achievements were celebrated in Williamson County.

The second event was the Mt. Juliet funeral for Bob Stovall, the late father of TEP's former president H.G. Stovall. I was honored to give the eulogy. The Stovall family completely embodies inclusion. There are few words I could add to the slice of the the obituary that the family wrote for Bob included below.

I just wonder how long Rep. Casada and Sen. Beavers can seal the borders of Tennessee from the national conversation on equality and their own counties from the voices of the women of CABLE and accepting fathers like Bob.

Stovall, Robert Kenneth, age 74, of Mt. Juliet, TN, died Sunday, May 8, 2011. Mr. Stovall was a member of Donelson Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) and the Tennessee Equality Project. Mr. Stovall was the son of the late, Robert L. and Elizabeth Oliver Stovall. He is survived by:
Wife - Gayle Stovall of Mt. Juliet, TN
Sons - H.G. Stovall and his partner, Harry Longfellow of Nashville, TN and Shawn Stovall of Owensboro, KY
Daughter - Elizabeth Ann Smith of Calhoun, KY
Brothers - Teddy A. (Katie) Stovall and
Anthony (Jaynie) Stovall both of Kuttawa, KY
Sister - Mary E. (Jim) Doom of Utica, KY .

-Chris Sanders

Let's thank those who voted for equality

House vote on the Special Access to Discriminate Act

While last night's House vote on the Special Access to Discriminate Act (HB600) was a disappointment, we do have many members of the House to thank for their support for equality. Many of those voting with against HB600 engaged in spirited debate on our behalf including (click here for video): Mike Turner, Brenda Gilmore, Mike Stewart, Jeanne Richardson, Craig Fitzhugh, Mike Kernell and Sherry Jones.

Please take a moment to send a thank you message to each one of the them:

Armstrong, Joe E. | District 15 | rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov 

Brown, Tommie F. | District 28 | rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov

Camper, Karen D. | District 87 | rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov

Favors, Joanne | District 29 | rep.joanne.favors@capitol.tn.gov

Fitzhugh, Craig | District 82 | rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov

Gilmore, Brenda | District 54 | rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov

Hardaway, G. A. | District 92 | rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov

Jones, Sherry | District 59 | rep.sherry.jones@capitol.tn.gov

Kernell, Mike | District 93 | rep.mike.kernell@capitol.tn.gov

Miller, Larry J. | District 88 | rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov

Moore, Gary W. | District 50 | rep.gary.moore@capitol.tn.gov

Naifeh, Jimmy | District 81 | spk.eme.jimmy.naifeh@capitol.tn.gov

Odom, Gary | District 55 | rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov

Parkinson, Antonio | District 98 | rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov

Richardson, Jeanne | District 89 | rep.jeanne.richardson@capitol.tn.gov

Shaw, Johnny | District 80 | rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov

Sontany, Janis Baird | District 53 | rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov

Stewart, Mike | District 52 | rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov

Tindell, Harry J. | District 13 | rep.harry.tindell@capitol.tn.gov

Towns, Joe , Jr. | District 84 | rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov

Turner, Johnnie | District 85 | rep.johnnie.turner@capitol.tn.gov

Turner, Mike | District 51 | rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov

Cooper, Barbara | District 86 | rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov

If you would like to send a message to all of them at once, copy and paste their addresses from below:

rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joanne.favors@capitol.tn.gov, rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov, rep.sherry.jones@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.kernell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.moore@capitol.tn.gov, spk.eme.jimmy.naifeh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov, rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jeanne.richardson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov, rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov, rep.harry.tindell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnnie.turner@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.turner@capitol.tn.gov, rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov  

The Senate version of the Special Access to Discriminate Act (SB632) will be debated in the Senate this week. Lastly, be sure that you tell Governor Haslam to oppose and veto this bill using this change.org petition:

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

House Commerce Committee passes anti-LGBT Special Access to Discriminate Act

Rep. Glen Casada of Williamson Co.

In this morning's House Commerce Committee, Rep. Glen Casada presented his Special Access to Discriminate Act (HB600) for a vote. Full video coverage is available HERE (click the HB600 agenda item to advance to that part of the video). As introduced, Casada's legislation would prohibit municipalities, counties and school boards in Tennessee from extending non-discrimination provisions to employees of contractors beyond the floor level provided by current State and Federal law. Translated, local governments could not extend LGBT-inclusive workplace protections to employees of contractors.

The SAD Act passed along mostly partisan lines, but the sponsor endured some intensive questioning and remarks from Representatives G.A. Hardaway of Memphis and Brenda Gilmore of Nashville. Take a moment to thank them at rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov and rep.brenda.gilmore@capitol.tn.gov.

Rep. Hardaway asked the bill's sponsor to explain why the bill was needed:

There has been no substantial ..... or barrage of complaints from business? Nobody's done a study indicating that we're losing businesses out of Tennessee, businesses that are unable to do business with certain cities, or unwilling to do business?

Rep. G.A. Hardaway of Shelby Co.

Casada had no evidence, complaints, or studies to present as support for the SAD Act. He could only say he was hoping to be proactive in addressing "problems" with intrastate commerce. Casada speculated that municipalities that say you "got to hire Baptists who have two kids or you got to have someone who has red hair" would make conducting business chaotic. The sponsor, of course, had no evidence to present that Baptists with two children or red heads are at increased risk of discrimination in the workplace or that any local or state governments had legislated workplace protections for them.

Rep. Brenda Gilmore of Davidson Co.

Rep.Gilmore rose in defense of her city's recently passed Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance. She acted on behalf of her community by offering an amendment to exempt Nashville Metro/Davidson County from HB600. Her amendment was tabled by a partisan vote of 21 to 7. Most importantly, she made sure that the legislative record reflected that voting for HB600 would clearly target lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees of Nashville Metro contractors.

Committee debate leaves no doubt that there is simply no rational basis for HB600. There is no compelling state interest in prohibiting local governments from extending LGBT-inclusive workplace protections to employees of tax payer funded contractors. Bias against LGBT people is the sole motivation behind voting for the SAD Act.

The SAD Act is headed to the House Calendar and Rules Committee after today's recommendation for passsage. Tennessee Equality Project will continue to fight this legislation in the House and Senate. At this time, we ask you to take action in two ways:

1. CONTACT Governor Haslam and his administration to encourage the Governor to oppose and ultimately veto this harmful legislation. 
2. Make a DONATION in support of TEP's work to defend the equal rights of LGBT people and their families link.

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »
 

TEP celebrates the retreat of the "Special Access to Discriminate" Act

LGBT-inclusive workplace protections
may still expand in Tennessee.

Tennessee Equality Project celebrates today’s action in the House Subcommittee on Commerce. The “Special Access to Discriminate” Act (HB0598) was taken off notice today for lack of support among members of the subcommittee.

For the moment, this withdrawal means that state government will not be intruding in the contractual affairs of local government in Tennessee. Cities, counties and school boards rightfully remain free to define what is best for their communities in expanding workplace equality, living wages and other employee benefits without BIG government interference from the state.

TEP applauds the coordinated efforts of equality, labor, and municipal government advocates who helped bring about this bill’s retreat. However, we are not our of the woods yet. Bill sponsor Glen Casada told The Tennessean that 

he plans to put the bill back on notice in about two weeks and will use the interim to lobby opponents (he named Cordova lawmakers Steve McManus and Dennis Roach, specifically) to vote for the bill.

While today's withdrawal is a joyous event, we must be vigilant in making sure that this bill does not return while the 107th General Assembly is in session. We must also support the CAN DO ordinance headed for final reading by the Nashville Metro Council on Tuesday, April 5. 

Celebrate the withdrawal of this bill by making a contribution to Tennessee Equality Project so that we may continue to advance and protect the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in our state. Consider that

• $25 prints 100 brochures/membership forms
• $50 allows us to reach over 120 voters with a mailing
• $100 trains 10 volunteers for lobbying their elected officials on GLBT issues
• $250 creates 100 folders for advocates at Advancing Equality on the Hill each year
• $500 pays for participating in events such as pride festivals in communities throughout the state
• $1,000 provides seed money for 4 house parties to reach the community and raise more money
• $2000 allows us to purchase better technology services to build and mobilize supporters for six months

While some of the above advocacy expenses may be more than many can afford, we all have like-minded friends and family who want to help advocate for equality in our home state. Consider forming a Host Committee with them for a House Party to raise awareness about LGBT equality initiatives like the above bill and raise funds to further the work of TEP. Learn more about House Parties here.


- Jonathan Cole

Casada's anti-anti-discrimination bill filed, attack on local government begins!

Rep. Glen Casada, as promised though late, has filed the ironically named Equal Access to Local Government Contracts and Services Act or HB0331. The bill is aimed at stopping the proposed Metro Nashville Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance and all future local ordinances like it across Tennessee.

From the bill text:

(1) The only anti-discrimination employment practices or
standards that may be legally enacted or enforced by ordinance,
resolution or any other means by a local government with respect to any
person contracting or doing business with the local government shall be
limited to:
(A) Race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin
as such terms are used and defined in § 7-51-1702 as
“discriminatory practices”; or
(B) Other types of discrimination recognized as
discrimination by state law but only to the extent recognized by the
state.
(2) With respect to any person contracting or doing business with
a local government, no local government shall by ordinance, resolution or
any other means impose on or make applicable an anti-discrimination
employment practice, standard, definition or provision that deviates from,
modifies, supplements, changes or varies any term used in the definition
of “discriminatory practices” in § 7-51-1702 or any term used in such
definition as such terms are further defined in such section.
(3) Any such anti-discrimination practice, standard, definition, or
provision imposed or made applicable by a local government with respect
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to any person contracting or doing business with such local government
prior to the effective date of this act shall be null and void.

-Chris Sanders

Trouble for Rep. Casada's anti-anti-discrimination bill?

As first reported here at Grand Divisions, Rep. Glen Casada plans to file legislation that would prevent municipalities like Metro Nashville from extending their non-discrimination policies to businesses with which they contract. As of today, the legislation still hasn't been filed, even though the Representative indicated that it would be. So he's late, but I'm sure it's coming soon.

This bill has problems.

Not popular: Williamson A.M. letter writers don't seem to like it. OK, one letter writer liked it, but the rest clearly didn't. The writers either thought the state shouldn't be interfering in a local matter or that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people should have job protections like everyone else.

Here's what Suzanne Clement of Franklin had to say:

Rep. Casada's attempt to prevent cities from enacting non-discrimination ordinances leaves a bad taste in my mouth on a variety of levels. Equality of rights and protections applies to all citizens, period, whether they are on the "official list" or not.

Casada's meddling with how municipalities do business is over-stepping. It is within the scope of the city governments' functioning bodies to determine what conditions apply to city contracts.

Worse, whether it is the intent or not, this measure appears to be an attempt to deny homosexual business people the right to equal consideration in doing businesss with cities.

I think he should step back on this one.

Smell Test: At a time when our Legislature is saber rattling about federal meddling in the states, it just seems odd to be considering state prohibitions on local government.

Interference with Contracts: I'm no lawyer, but doesn't it strike you as odd that with this bill the state government is trying to get between two parties in a contract? Isn't it typical for parties to set conditions for a contract? Why isn't Metro's proposed extension of its non-discrimination policy looked upon as just another condition that one party desires to set up in the contract that two parties freely enter into? If a business doesn't like the proposed condition, then it doesn't have to bid. This ought to be pretty easy.

Fun Fact of the Day: Rep. Casada's employer has inclusive workplace protections that cover sexual orientation and gender identity. According to his website, he has worked for Schering Plough for 23 years. Schering Plough gets a high score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. Yes, that's right; Rep. Casada most likely has openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender coworkers.

Note on that whole Williamson County vs Nashville thing: It just looks bad when a Williamson County state legislator and another Williamson County resident (David Fowler of Family Action Council) are the leaders in the effort to stop a Metro Nashville ordinance. It doesn't help appearances that Family Action is holding its Nashville "Truth Project" Worldview Training Seminar event in Williamson County. No doubt, one of the big topics at the seminar will be how to work against the Metro ordinance. I just shake my head sometimes at these things.

-Chris Sanders

Haslam and Casada: Contrasting philosophies on government, business, and discrimination

According to Tennessee Report, Governor Bill Haslam has issued an executive order about job discrimination directed at companies considering locating in Tennessee:

Executive Order No. 2011-03 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, and political affiliation or against otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development also is directed to inform and instruct all companies considering Tennessee as a business location that the prevailing policy of non-discrimination must be reflected in their employment practices and workforces in Tennessee.

Conflicting Philosophies: We obviously wish that the order included sexual orientation and gender identity, but there's another point here worth noting. The Governor obviously doesn't see his order as a barrier to job creation. What a contrast to another member of his party!

Commenting about Metro's proposed Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance that would only require businesses contracting with Metro to change their policies, Rep. Glen Casada told the Tennessean:

"We’re putting so many require­ments on busi­nesses that we’re mak­ing them be the social police of the com­mu­nity,” he said. “That’s not their role.”

It's pretty clear that there's a philosophical difference at work here in the understanding of the relationship of government and business when it comes to discrimination. Let's hope the Haslam model prevails and can be expanded to be even more inclusive.

-Chris Sanders

Closed door meeting to conspire against equality legislation

Today at 7:00 a.m. there was a closed door meeting at LifeWay in Nashville that should concern every Tennessean who cares about equality.
Certain business leaders along with Metro Councilman/State Representative Jim Gotto and Rep. Glen Casada met with the Family Action Council of Tennessee to work not only against the Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance up for first reading in Metro Council on January 18, but against all local ordinances across Tennessee that would affect how municipalities conduct relationships with their vendors. The Tennessean obtained a copy of the email invitation.

Here's what we know about the meeting:

Secretive: Despite the fact that public officials were discussing legislation affecting the public, reporters such as the City Paper's Joey Garrison were turned away and told to wait outside.

Tactics Revealed: According to Councilman/State Representative Gotto, he or some other Council Member will attempt to pull the contract ordinance from the consent agenda on first reading and kill it then: “I feel certain that someone would pull the bill on first reading,” Gotto said. “If somebody doesn’t, then I more than likely will."

Statewide Master Plan: Our source who was present for the meeting indicates there are plans to look at ways to limit the ability of municipalities to add factors like gender identity and sexual orientation to their contracting policies. That would surely explain the presence of a Williamson County representative at a meeting related to a Metro Nashville issue.

The atmosphere of fear, secrecy, and conspiracy to limit the rights of cities and the state's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community is disturbing. This is not way good public policy that brings progress to Tennessee is made.

-Chris Sanders

Breaking: Lawmakers and some business leaders organizing against Metro Contract bill

We just got word about an hour ago that some members of the business community are having a meeting at LifeWay tomorrow (Wednesday) from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to discuss their opposition to the Metro Nashville Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance.

Their guest speakers reportedly include a representative from the Family Action Council of Tennessee, Metro Councilman and State Representative Jim Gotto and State Representative Glen Casada, who will discuss state legislation to stop the ordinance.

So much for local control and smaller government!

-Chris Sanders

GOP division over House District 31

Andy Sherr reports that Rep. Richard Floyd (R-Chattanooga) is supporting former Rep. Jim Vincent for a House seat. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/apr/13/floyd-vincent-house-district-31/

Floyd's nod to Vincent puts him at odds with the House Republican leadership who are backing Rep. Jim Cobb (R-Spring City) in the race. Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol) and Rep. Glen Casada (R-College Grove) are among those who wrote to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in support of Cobb.

With all the members of the General Assembly retiring and with contested primaries, we should look for huge changes in the 106th session.