Does Bellevue Love Memphis?

Recently, I've heard friends ask why Bellevue Baptist Church is allowed to serve as a polling location for elections. Bellevue and its minister, Steve Gaines, frequently inject themselves into political discourse, particularly when it comes to denying equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families. Gaines opposed employment non-discrimination ordinances in Shelby County and in Memphis. A few weeks ago, Gaines used his pulpit, church email and the church blog to tell his congregation who to vote for in Memphis City Council elections.

I've heard many LGBT people and their allies say that they cannot bring themselves onto the Bellevue Baptist Church campus because of the hostility they feel from the congregation.

What do you think?

Should the Shelby County Election Commission allow Bellevue Baptist Church to serve as a polling site for voting ?

Voice your opinion in our Grand Divisions poll on the right side of this blog. - Jonathan Cole

State and Municipal Endorsements for November 4, 2008

Early voting has begun in Tennessee. If you live in Memphis, I encourage you to support TEP PAC's endorsements for the November 4, 2008 election.

I believe the following candidates are strong equality advocates and urge you to cast your vote for them if you live their districts:

Paul Shaffer
Memphis City Council Super District 9, Position 1

Representative Jeanne Richardson (D)
Tennessee State House District 89

Representative Mike Kernell (D)
Tennessee State House District 93

Senator Beverly Marrero (D)
Tennessee State Senate District 30

Early voting for the Nov. 4 General Election begins Oct. 15 and runs weekdays and Saturdays through Oct. 30. There will be 18 satellite voting centers including the Shelby County Election Commission, churches and community centers throughout Shelby County. For a list of locations, call (901) 545-4125, then press 4, or go to the Shelby County Election Commission.

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

Today is the last day to register to vote in Tennessee

No more procrastinating! Today is the last day to register in time for the November 4th election. Submit your registration form to the Shelby County Election Commission at 157 Poplar Avenue in downtown Memphis.

Voter registration in Shelby County and the rest of Tennessee is up - largely due to the excitement of the Presidential election.

Early voting for the Nov. 4 General Election begins Oct. 15 and runs weekdays and Saturdays through Oct. 30. There will be eighteen satellite voting centers including the Shelby County Election Commission, churches and community centers throughout Shelby County. For a list of locations, call (901) 545-4125, then press 4, or go to: shelbyvote.com.

For voter registration and early voting information in other counties in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Department of State's website to find out how to contact your local election commission.