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

It's time for Memphis City Government to do the right thing for its employees

On Tuesday, October 26, the Personnel, Intergovernmental & Annexation Committee of the Memphis City Council will resume discussion of LGBT-inclusive workplace protections for City of Memphis employees. Two items appear on the agenda.

The first item is not new - an ordinance to amend Chapter 9 of the City of Memphis Code of Ordinances to include nondiscrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (SOGIE). The employment non-discrimination ordinance (ENDO) covering only city employees is LGBT-inclusive and would require approval in three readings by the full City Council following the committee's review and recommendation.

Last August, TEP requested that an Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance and Resolution be pulled from the City Council's agenda citing withdrawal of support from Mayor Wharton and lack of support and bias on the council. Despite citizen calls for fairness and equality in employment decisions, the response of Memphis City Government made it clear that neither measure would pass as proposed.

In reaction to this event, an independent group of LGBT equality advocates organized a March for Gay Rights for National Coming Out Day on October 11. Hundreds of supporters filled Main Street for the march for LGBT rights and rallied in front of City Hall to voice their support to City Leaders. We hope that the call for equality in city employment will be heard.

In the past several months, TEP has continued discussions with city employees about their experiences of workplace discrimination and harassment based on SOGIE. Some disclose unfair treatment in employment decisions. Others describe harassment on the job. Many express a reluctance to come forward to tell their stories for fear of losing their jobs or enduring further harassment. Others say that they will seek employment in the private sector with companies that offer LGBT-inclusive workplace protections if the City won't specifically protect them from discrimination on the job.


All of these factors return us to the point that Memphis is at a crossroads. Memphis cannot afford to send a mixed message to its residents or the rest of the world. Will Memphis be the City of Choice that we've heard so much about? A city that welcomes all people of diverse backgrounds? Or will Memphis choose to send a message of exclusion - a message that diversity, fairness and equality are not valued here. The latter would be a sad reflection on a city with a rich history and legacy in the Civil Rights movement. Has that movement ended? Will Memphis continue to champion the human right to earn a living with respect and dignity?


TEP calls on the Memphis City Council and Mayor Wharton to carefully weigh the options before them. Memphis already has an ordinance that says that permit applications for parades and public assemblies be considered upon their merits and there shall be no discrimination in granting or denying permits based upon political, religious, ethnic, race, disability, sexual orientation or gender-related grounds. With such an ordinance already on the books, enacting workplace legislation that does not include SOGIE specifically would ignore current protections enacted by city leaders in the past in response to historic discrimination. Lack of specific protections for LGBT and straight employees will surely send an unwanted message to the world - a heavy yoke for our city to carry.

The second item on Tuesday's agenda is a resolution calling for an administration review to determine the existence of discrimination in hiring, employment of personnel, and promotion or demotion of city employees because of non-merit factors including but not limited to SOGIE. The companion resolution proposed with the ENDO presents an opportunity and a problem. Such a study could potentially offer more data to illustrate the need for LGBT-inclusive workplace protections.


TEP welcomes efforts to study the problem of unfair discrimination based on non-merit factors. However, TEP has already referenced and provided independent and impartial data collected from both local and national sources to support the claim that discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression is a problem in our community.  City employees have expressed anxiety and fear about coming forward to tell their stories because they have no protection from retaliation on the job should specific protections not be enacted. The studies referenced by TEP were conducted by independent and impartial academic researchers at the University of Memphis and the Williams Institute at UCLA. If the study resolution passes, what measures will be taken to guarantee there is no bias in the collection and reporting of data and that employees will not suffer consequences for participating in the study? Will city employees be able to participate in the study anonymously and confidentially?


If the issue of potential bias and retaliation can be adequately addressed, what will our City Government actually do with the reported data?


Ten years ago, the governments of the City of Memphis and Shelby County commissioned a study returned to leaders of both governments in a report called Technology, Talent, and Tolerance: Attracting the Best and Brightest to Memphis. The purpose of the report was to recommend ways to build a talent-powered economy in our community. Specific recommendations from the report included:

1. Visibly and officially embrace diversity as an economic and civic development goal that is as good for the whole community as it is for those who are labeled as “minority.”
2. Expand the definition of diversity as an economic and civic “good” to include all people with talent, whatever their dress, religion, musical tastes, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin.
3. Use images of diverse Memphians and their lifestyles in branding and image strategies.

Memphis and Shelby County governments have selectively ignored the recommendations of this report. With this track record, what actions can be expected from a new report?


The City of Memphis could save itself from the cost of new studies and truly make Memphis a City of Choice by enacting specific LGBT-inclusive workplace protections without delay.

A Tale of Two City Councils

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.  - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.

The last few years of LGBT advocacy in the struggle for full equality reminded me of this famous opening of the Dickens novel. Nationally and locally, LGBT people and their allies sense that recognition of our most basic human rights is attainable. However, the failed legislative repeal of DADT, no movement on ENDA in Congress or the Memphis Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance, stalled progress on Prop. 8, and the recent suicides of LGBT youth take an emotional toll.

The recent debate of LGBT-inclusive workplace protections in the City of Memphis led me to focus on two stories in the current crisis of suicides among LGBT youth. I share the angst and disappointment in our Memphis City Government in their inability to allow its hard-working employees to earn a living without fear of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Our city's failure to treat its citizens fairly and equally angered so many people that hundreds of equality advocates took to the streets to march and rally in front of City Hall for LGBT rights on National Coming Out  Day on October 11. Such an outward display of frustration and anxiety is appropriate and healthy. My worst fear that some may choose the opposite reaction of internalizing that frustration and anxiety.


Zach Harrington

 In early October, 19-year-old Zach Harrington of Oklahoma completed suicide after attending a contentious hearing of the Norman City Council about a proclamation recognizing October as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender History Month in the city. The resolution passed, but Harrington internalized the toxic hatred expressed by opponents of the proclamation during public debate. The Norman Transcript reported:

One man said he moved to Norman because he thought it was the kind of place that would never accept the GLBT community with open arms. A woman, who described herself as “bi-racial,” said she was tired of the GLBT plight being compared to Civil Rights.

Some of those who opposed the proclamation claimed that members of the GLBT community would use it to infiltrate the public school system, essentially allowing the “gay lifestyle” to become a part of the curriculum.

Others claimed that council recognizing October as GLBT History Month was a waste of their time. Some members of the audience even suggested that any council members voting in favor of the proclamation may have trouble getting reelected.

Numerous residents also claimed the Bible was their guiding light, citing the ancient text as their primary reason for opposing the proclamation and the GLBT community in general.

And for those in attendance, it was hard to ignore the intolerant grumblings, the exasperated sighs and cold, hard stares that followed comments from supporters of the GLBT proclamation.

Even most council members admitted that a majority of the e-mails and phone calls they fielded regarding the proclamation were against it.

Harrington's family claimed that the hearing pushed Zach over the edge. Zach's parents hope people will think about the things they say in public. Both feel that words can do more than hurt feelings, especially when they come from friends and neighbors.


Ft Worth City Councilman Joel Burns

Within days of Zach's death, a concerned City Councilman of Fort Worth, Texas shared a tearful account of his experience as a bullied school boy. Joel Burns, who is openly gay, opened his remarks by recounting several of the recent cases in which youth across the U.S. had killed themselves after being targeted by anti-gay bullying. Burns was particularly concerned as a local government official about the effect that the toxic debate of the Norman City Council had on a local teen. The local Star-Telegram reported: 

"This bullying and harassment in our schools must stop," Burns said, describing it as an epidemic.

He then recalled his youth in the Fort Worth suburb of Crowley, describing himself as a skinny, sensitive boy who tried to be friendly to all.

In ninth grade, he said, older boys roughed him up, "said I was a faggot and I should die and go to hell where I belonged."

"Ashamed, humiliated and confused, I went home," Burns said. "There must be something very wrong with me, I thought."

After struggling to maintain his composure, Burns, now 40, then addressed himself directly to any gay teens who might see the video.

"You will get out of the household that doesn't accept you. You will get out of that high school, and you don't ever have to deal with those jerks again," he said. "Things will get easier ... Please stick around to make those happy memories for yourself."

Burns calls us all to a spring of hope amidst a winter of despair. His leadership on the Fort Worth City Council serves as a call to action to all local officials who vote on issues that affect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Words and actions have consequences. Equality and fairness for all people should be a fairly simple matter, yet LGBT persons continue to struggle for basic human rights in the workplace and elsewhere.

As I dwell on the above Dickens' passage, I wonder openly about what kind of city Memphis wants to be.  I worry about the effect that purveyors of fear and ignorance about LGBT people will have on our city. If fear and ignorance define our city, it will certainly lead to a continued exodus of LGBT people and straight allies in search of communities that welcome people from all walks of life. But for those who cannot leave? Will they internalize the messages they hear from their leaders in self-destructive ways? Where will our Memphis City Council and Mayor lead us? Will Memphis be a city of foolishness, darkness, incredulity, and despair with nothing before us? Or, will Memphis be a city of wisdom, light, belief, and hope where everything is before us?

These are questions worth asking our city leaders as Memphis pursues its quest to become a City of Choice - a city capable of retaining and attracting talented people from diverse backgrounds. If fear and ignorance take precendent over welcoming and embracing all people in Memphis - including LGBT people - Memphis will fail in its quest.

Mayor AC Wharton wants to be clear about the Memphis Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Over the course of yesterday, the news broke that TEP asked for the employment non-discrimination ordinance and resolution to be withdrawn. TEP's Shelby County Committee based its decision on the shifting position of Mayor AC Wharton and biased treatment of legislation by the Memphis City Council.

Four weeks ago, City Council members asked for a clear statement from Mayor Wharton on the issue. Mayor Wharton issued his most public statement on the proposed legislation yesterday on his Facebook Fan page:

Allow me to be clear: throughout my career in public service, most recently as Shelby County Mayor when this same issue was under discussion by the County Commission, I have stated that I believe governments should focus on merit and merit alone in their hiring and purchasing policies. My vision is for Memphis to be a city of choice for all people. Our city's success will require all individuals, regardless of their differences, to work together toward a shared prosperous future.

The Mayor goes on to say . . . .

Over the past several weeks, I have watched with great interest to see what direction the City Council will take. This discussion originated with them and will conclude with them. I will abide by my duty to support whatever actions they take. My hope is that they proceed in a way that aligns with our values of inclusiveness and non-discrimination.

My beliefs or views on the subject have been clear and consistent throughout my entire life. I will not permit them to be mischaracterized by any group, individual, or elected body who seek a convenient excuse to avoid the issue now that it is at hand.

Mayor Wharton says he wants to be clear. I would never attempt to mischaracterize the Mayor's beliefs or views, but Mayor Wharton's stance has shifted at least three times on the legislation supported by the Tennessee Equality Project and our allies.

At first he supported the LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination legislation during his campaign for Memphis Mayor and in TEP's negotiations with his administration. At the August 10 Personnel Committee meeting of the City Council, Mayor Wharton's representative said he supported the watered-down version of the legislation containing no specific protections for LGBT employees that passed in Shelby County Government. In this latest statement he says that he will support whatever action the Council decides to take.

One thing IS clear. The Mayor does not want to bear any responsibility for lack of leadership on this issue. His shifting position and leadership on the issue will be the talk of many LGBT citizens and their allies in Memphis for many days to come.

City of Memphis fails to provide fair hearing for inclusive workplace protections

Memphis TN, August 24, 2010:  At the request of the Tennessee Equality Project Councilwoman Janis Fullilove withdrew the Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance that would provide inclusive workplace protections for City of Memphis employees based on religion, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, sex, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. The withdrawal is designed to save Memphis City Government and the larger community from becoming a national disgrace in the movement to create an inclusive community that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds.

On the first of three readings of the Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance (ENDO) on Aug. 10, the Mayor of Memphis and the Memphis City Council made it clear that proposed legislation would not receive a fair hearing.  City Attorney Herman Morris announced that Mayor AC Wharton reversed his position supporting LGBT-inclusive workplace protections. Mayor Wharton pledged his support for LGBT-inclusive workplace protections during his campaign and again when working with the Tennessee Equality Project through the City Attorney’s office to write the proposed ordinance.

Also on August 10, the Memphis City Council displayed an unexpected bias against the proposed legislation that is rarely demonstrated on other matters brought before the Council.

City ordinances on first and second reading are routinely bundled into a consent agenda that appears at the end of the regular agenda during City Council meetings. The Council reviews each item in the consent agenda and then votes to approve or disapprove all of the items in bulk. The Council waits for the third reading to debate ordinances and opens the floor for public comment from citizens for input.

But that didn't happen at the first reading. Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen Ware objected to the inclusion of the ENDO and threatened to vote against the entire consent agenda if it was not voted on separately.

After the ENDO was knocked out of the consent agenda, Councilman Bill Morrison introduced a substitute ordinance that gutted the inclusive ENDO. His substitute ordinance contained no provisions protecting employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. His substitute proposed protections based on non-merit factors that are already explicitly defined in current municipal, state, and federal law.

Neither the Council nor the public was given an opportunity to review the substitute ordinance. Morrison acted in secret and broke a campaign pledge he made when he ran for office to support LGBT-inclusive workplace protections.

Some Council members and critics claim there is no bias or discrimination in City Government against LGBT people. But the first reading of the ENDO demonstrates that anti-LGBT bias starts at the top. The LGBT community and City employees were not given the respect and consideration by the City Council normally afforded to others in our community. These preemptive measures were deployed to silence public debate and prevent a fair hearing of the legislation.

Since LGBT citizens and City employees were treated like second-class citizens by the Memphis Mayor and City Council, TEP does not believe that Memphis City Government is serious about making Memphis a real City of Choice for all job seekers, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Memphis will be considered a City of Exclusion as long as its citizens are treated with disrespect and fear. TEP looks forward to returning to the Mayor and the City Council with legislation protecting all employees from unfair discrimination when a fair hearing is possible.

The Tennessee Equality Project wishes to thank Councilwoman Janis Fullilove for her courage in sponsoring the legislation and our allies on the Council who support equality. Fullilove endured death threats and an LGBT-related hate crime as a straight ally. We deeply appreciate her commitment to equality in the workplace.

Contact: Jonathan Cole
Tennessee Equality Project
Phone 901-301-3306
Jonathan@tnequalityproject.com

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.

LGBT issues addressed in Memphis Mayoral Forum

WMCTV5 and the League of Women Voters held an informative and entertaining forum at Opera Memphis featuring candidates for Mayor of Memphis last night. I say forum, because the event was not structured for debate. A debate would have been difficult to moderate with 9 candidates. I was lucky to be a member of the live audience. There was not a great deal else going on behind the scenes (unless you count Prince Mongo's bare feet and rubber chicken), if you weren't present. Television viewers who watched now have a glimpse of the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate on the issues and on style.

In the end, it's the issues in this contest that should most concern us, and the LGBT community and their allies can be pleased that relevant questions affecting our community were posed to the candidates.

In a round of viewer questions in which candidates were asked to respond with a "yes" or "no," ALL candidates said they supported non-discrimination policies for Memphis city employees similar to those pursued with Shelby County government last spring. That's outstanding news and a tribute to the work that citizens of Memphis and Shelby County have done to move the political conversation into new territory. The unanimous response gives a boost to the campaign to pass a non-discrimination ordinance in the Memphis City Council.

While the non-discrimination question was a high point, the low point came when Jackson Baker of the Memphis Flyer asked Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum if he would explain what happened to the two women who visited his church last Sunday. Whalum began by saying "absolutely nothing." He said everyone knows what happened and asked people to "come over and find out." Whalum's response only heightens the mystery of what really happened at New Olivet Baptist Church and casts a shadow of doubt over his affirmative answer to the non-discrimination policy question posed earlier in the forum.

Check TDN Blog, Vibinc, Jackson Baker, Wendi Thomas, and Memphis Liberal for further reactions to the forum.

Watch the video here.

Mayoral candidate refuses on-camera interview over expulsion of lesbian couple from his church

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum, Jr.'s response to media inquiries over why his church expelled a lesbian couple from a worship service are only adding to the controversy. Youtube videos of services at New Olivet that are widely available to all provide a glimpse of the animated and spirited worship services held at the church. Dr. Whalum's subjective and vague claim that Yas Meen and Monique Stevens were "boisterous and loud" during the service last Sunday might also describe him and the rest of the congregation when the spirit runs high during services at the church.

His refusal to provide a more detailed description of the "disruptive behavior" he says took place only increases suspicion of the reason he gave for why the couple was accosted and ejected from his church. It is particularly galling that Dr. Whalum would resort to the tiresome claim that a lesbian couple must have an "agenda" if they are attending his church. The only agenda they had was to hear from a mayoral candidate whom they wanted to support. Dr. Whalum and New Olivet Baptist Church have every right to preach the word and worship in any way they wish. But when Dr. Whalum declares that he wants to be Mayor of this city, his appeal must be broader than than the pews he fills each Sunday in church.

Many people have commented on the Commercial Appeal story that New Olivet records video of each church service. Releasing video of what happened last Sunday would help clarify what really happened.

Female couple expelled from Mayoral candidate's church for "disruption"

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum, Jr. has some explaining to do.

Two women reported a disturbing story to me about their visit to last Sunday's morning worship service at New Olivet Baptist Church in Memphis that was also reported in this morning's Commercial Appeal. Yas Meen and Monique Stevens, a couple, decided to visit New Olivet to learn more about Whalum. Yas, a retired school teacher, admired Whalum’s passionate support for public education and considered supporting his candidacy for Memphis Mayor. Whalum currently serves on the Memphis City Schools’ Board of Education.

Yas and Monique visited New Olivet for the first time. They had heard that people are encouraged to “come-as-you-are” to the church. Many people wear casual clothes to worship there. On this particular morning, they observed several young men wearing basketball jerseys. Yas wore a dress while Monique wore a pair of slacks to the service that morning - dressier than many in the congregation. However, Yas and Monique felt a little uncomfortable when they entered and sat in the front pew after the service had started. They began to notice looks of disapproval from members of the congregation. The reason would become all too clear to them.

As the service progressed, Pastor Whalum called on the congregation to participate in expressions of “sanctified dance.” Congregants followed Whalum’s lead and began to fill the aisle. Some danced while other lay on the floor in prayer. As visitors, the style of worship was new to Yas and Monique, so they decided to remain seated and observe.

That’s when events turned for the worse. From the front of the church, the two women alleged that Whalum said “this is my house and everybody does what I say. But two people won’t do what I say.” After Whalum’s plea, Yas and Monique remained seated. When Monique extended her arm along the pew behind Yas, the congregation’s focus on the couple intensified.

Yas described what happened next:

[A] security guard asked us to leave because we were disturbing God's House. I asked what had we done to disturb God's House. He could not give me an answer. He just said you two need to leave. He informed us that he had called the police. I told him because I did not clearly understand what was going on, we will just wait for the police. That's when the herd of men gathered around to physically remove us from God's House! While this was going on, the church's photographer was taking pictures of Monique and I. We begged them to stop taking pictures of us. She continued and when she finished, she blew us a kiss and said God Bless You!

Under the watchful eyes of Pastor Whalum, children taunted the two ladies and women began to throw oil on them. A group of men gathered around them, calling them “bitches”, “Satanic,” and “devil worshipers.” They were told that they were dishonoring God’s House. Finally, a group of 25 young men began physically and violently pushing the two ladies out of the church. Monique’s glasses were broken and both suffered scratches and bruises.

During the incident, the church called the police because Yas and Monique had been “disruptive.” Yaz:

found it so strange how the security guard could not give us the reason, when the situation happened, of how we were disruptive until the police asked him, which was almost 45 minutes to an hour after the event. That's when he told us along with the police, that it was because Monique had extended her arm along the back of the pew seat right next to [me].

Yas and Monique may file assault charges against members of the church who put hands on them.

As this violent crime unfolded, Pastor Whalum said nothing and did nothing to intervene. As someone who wants to be the next Mayor of Memphis, Pastor Whalum has some explaining to do. Does Whalum condone violence toward gays and lesbians? Will he condone such behavior toward gays and lesbians among citizens and employees of the City Memphis? If this is how Whalum treats potential supporters, how will he treat his opponents? Is this the kind of leadership Memphis can expect from him as a Mayor?

Discussion of workplace fairness and equality to begin in Memphis City Council committee

TEP's Shelby County Committee is proud that the Memphis City Council will seek to establish workplace protections for LGBT city employees. The Council’s Personnel, Intergovernmental and Annexation committee will begin discussing a non-discrimination ordinance on Tuesday, August 18 that would prohibit employment discrimination based on religion, race, sex, creed, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions or other non-merit factors.

Memphis would join Shelby County government and nearly 200 municipalities and 20 states who currently protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender employees from unfair discrimination on the job. Hundreds of citizens spoke in favor of similar county legislation last spring at a unity rally and in front of the Shelby County Commission.

This discussion on fairness and equality begins in the middle of a special election season for a new Mayor following Dr. Willie W. Herenton's retirement on July 30 from 18 years as Mayor of Memphis. In keeping with the current city charter, City Council Chairman Myron Lowery became Mayor Pro Tem when Herenton left office. Lowery's service as Mayor Pro Tem during this interim time leaves one seat vacant on the 13-seat City Council. While applauding the intent of the City Council, TEP supports delaying the advancement of the Non-Discrimination Ordinance until Memphis elects a new mayor and all areas of Memphis are fully represented on the council.

When the Memphis NDO comes up for a vote, TEP will be ready to argue the merits of this important legislation along with supporters like you. In the meantime, send messages of support for fairness and equality in the workplace to your Memphis City Council representatives at the addresses below.

Memphis citizens have four (4) city council representatives (1 District + 3 Super District Council members).

All Memphis citizens live in one of the following Council districts:

District 1: Bill.Morrison@memphistn.gov
District 2: Bill.Boyd@memphistn.gov
District 3: Harold.Collins@memphistn.gov
District 4: Wanda.Halbert@memphistn.gov
District 5: Jim.Strickland@memphistn.gov
District 6: Edmund.Fordjr@memphistn.gov
District 7: Swearengen.Ware@memphistn.gov

If you live in the Southwest half of Memphis you have 3 Super District 8 representatives:

Super District 8, Position 1: Joe.Brown@memphistn.gov
Super District 8, Position 2: Janis.Fullilove@memphistn.gov
Super District 8, Position 3: Myron.Lowery@memphistn.gov (currently Mayor Pro Tem)

If you live in the Northeast half of Memphis you have 3 Super District 9 representatives:

Super District 9, Position 1: Kemp.Conrad@memphistn.gov
Super District 9, Position 2: Shea.Flinn@memphistn.gov
Super District 9, Position 3: Reid.Hedgepeth@memphistn.gov

Thank goodness fairness doesn't cost any money

The Memphis Daily News is reporting that the expected budget deficit for the City of Memphis has increased from $6.3 million to $8.8 million for the fiscal year ending in June. Yikes!

The Shelby County Committee of TEP hopes the Memphis City Council will enact a Non-Discrimination Ordinance that promotes fair and equal treatment of citizens regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity in 2009.

It's a good thing that the proposed legislation is budget neutral.

You can join the cause for a Memphis Non-Discrimination Ordinance here.

New talks about consolidating Memphis and Shelby County governments

The Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission will hold a joint meeting today at 1:45 PM to discuss the latest proposal from Mayor Herenton to consolidate Memphis and Shelby County governments. He proposes surrender of the city charter.

The Commerical Appeal provides a detailed review of previous attempts to consolidate both governments. Also see the Memphis Daily News and Mary Cashiola's blog post on the subject.

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.