Voting for Equality in Shelby County on August 5 (Part 3)

In Part 1 of this series, I reviewed the known positions on LGBT equality and campaign outreach to equality voters of candidates for Shelby County government. Part 2 was devoted to Primaries for the Tennessee House of Representatives and Governor. We end with the primary elections for the three congressional districts that touch Shelby County.

U.S. CONGRESS

Shelby County includes the entire Ninth Congressional District and parts of the Seventh and Eighth District. There are no contested primaries in the 7th District on August 5. The Eighth district has a competitive Republican primary. The Democratic Primary in the Ninth District will determine who wins the seat in the General Election in November.

Seventh District

Incumbent Marsha Blackburn (R) of Brentwood probably enjoys the fact that she scored 0% on the HRC Score Card. Too bad she has no opponent in the primary. Republicans who vote their party in this district deserve better. choices in their primary.

Democratic challenger Greg Rabidoux of Clarkville has no legislative record on LGBT issues and his opinions are unknown. He has no challenger in the primary. However, he shouldn’t have to work too hard to get a better legislative score than his eventual Republican opponent after Nov. 2 should he win this election.

Eighth District

Republican Primary

The Republican Primary for this race is rather crowded. Each hopes to replace retiring Democrat John Tanner in this District.Three candidates have gone on record with their views on LGBTQ policy issues.

Dr. Ron Kirkland drew local, statewide, and then national attention after making the following comments about Don't Ask, Don't Tell and his military service in Vietnam at a Tea Party Forum in Paris, TN:

"I can tell you if there were any homosexuals in that group, they were taken care of in ways I can't describe to you."

Kirkland later refused to apologize for condoning violence against gay and lesbian servicemembers in a letter to the Jackson Sun. Read more about Kirkland and TEP's call for his apology and support of the repeal of DADT here.

At the same Tea Party Forum in Paris, TN, Randy Smith who served in the first Iraq War followed Dr. Kirkland's comments about DADT with:

"I definitely wouldn't want to share a shower with a homosexual. We took care of that kind of stuff, just like (Kirkland) said."

When called upon to do so by TEP and others, Smith apologized for his comments. He shared that he had a lesbian daughter whom he loves, but he does not approve of her "lifestyle." Read more here.

At the Tea Party Forum in Paris, Dr. George Flinn portrayed ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as the latest in an effort by Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to weaken the military. He also failed to confront the violence condoned by Kirkland and Smith at the forum. Flinn of Memphis also voted against an ordinance and a watered-down resolution that would protect LGBT county employees from discrimination while serving on the Shelby County Commission.

The other candidates in this race, Stephen Lee Fincher and Ben Watts, also failed to confront the violence condoned by Kirkland and Smith at the Tea Party Forum. Is silence complicity? Fincher won the endorsement of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council - a definite red flag - and was a TN Senate Co-Sponsor of SJR0031 that approved the Anti-Marriage Amendment for placement on the 2006 ballot for Tennessee voters.

Democratic Primary

Roy Herron (D) is on record opposing efforts to prohibit adoption of children by lesbian and gay parents. However, Herron was a TN Senate Co-Sponsor of SJR0031 that approved the Anti-Marriage Amendment for placement on the 2006 ballot for Tennessee voters. Only 3 out of 33 TN Senators voted against this amendment.

Kimberlee E. Smith's (D) views on lgbtq policy issues are not known.

Ninth District

Democratic Primary

Incumbent Steve Cohen (D) has received a the highest HRC Score (90%) of any sitting Congressman or Congresswoman from Tennessee. When he was still TN State Senator from District 30, he voted against the TN anti-marriage amendment. Cohen supported GLBT-inclusive hate crime legislation. He also support repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. He also supports a GLBT-inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in Congress. While in Congress, Cohen wrote a letter of support to the Shelby County Commission for the County Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance.

Former Memphis Mayor Willie W. Herenton (D) served in that role for almost 20 years. While he was Mayor, Herenton spoke beside Judy Shepard when visited Memphis in 2000 in a special event at Calvary Episcopal Church. Herenton also participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Mayor Herenton also supports a municipal non-discrimination ordinance for the City of Memphis. However, Herenton has distinguished himself as being against marriage equality as a candidate for this race.

Republican Primary

The positions of candidates Charlotte Bergmann, Jim Harrell, and Kevin Millen on LGBTQ policy issues are unknown. In this heavily Democratic district, asking them about LGBTQ issues may be a moot point.

As with previous posts, please share any known positions on LGBT issues for any of the above candidates. Early voting begins on July 16. After you vote early, join fellow equality voters on July 20 for happy hour at Tuesdays at Grace.

- Jonathan Cole

Misplaced Priorities, Absent Logic

Today's Commercial Appeal explores the legislative priorities that Ninth Congressional District candidate, former Mayor Willie Herenton, plans to emphasize in his campaign. The beginning of Herenton's campaign seemed focused more on racial polarization than on legislative priorities, so news of a campaign platform is a good sign. In particular, his interest in increasing funding and opportunities for pre-school and post-secondary education would go far to lift people out of poverty and grow the economy in the Ninth District. As a progressive voter, I was pleased to hear him champion this issue.

However, my heart sank as I kept reading.

Herenton's list of legislative priorities includes education, same-sex marriage, abortion, healthcare, deficit, seniors & social security, jobs and the economy, energy, and crimes.

Take a moment to reflect on the order of this list. Who can be certain if this list of legislative priorities is ranked in order of importance, but "same-sex marriage" is second on Herenton's list. With all that is going on today in this country, is "same-sex marriage" really the second most important issue on the minds of Ninth District voters --- before healthcare and jobs and the economy?

Even those who don't support marriage equality might find it troubling that same-sex marriage is #2 on Herenton's list of legislative priorities. Tennesseans voted to add discriminatory language to the state constitution in 2006 that prohibits recognition of marriages of gay couples in this state. So why is Herenton raising this issue when it was settled in Tennessee 4 years ago with 80% of the vote?

Herenton's continued high-profile inclusion of marriage discrimination in his legislative priorities disappoints, but look closely at what he says about it:

I am unalterably opposed to same-sex marriage base [sic] on my personal values and religious foundation. However, I also opposed any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The above statement makes no sense. The second sentence does not logically follow the first. If Herenton opposes any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation, then he would support marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. Denying gay couples the right to marry and denying recognition of a gay couple’s marriage license from another state is discrimination based on sexual orientation. Plain and simple.

The above statement begs important questions.

How do Herenton's personal values and religious foundation allow him to support legislation that promotes LGBT-inclusive employment protections? Faith leaders in the last several decades began to recognize the need for equal protection in employment for LGBT workers, but it has not always been this way.

On what rational basis does civil marriage equality violate his personal values and religious foundation? No church is required to perform any civil marriage – gay or straight – even in states where marriage equality is the law. Churches and other religious organizations are free to deny their blessing of a marriage on any grounds. But is the government?

Examples in current law are helpful in illustrating this troubling position. In this country, it is currently illegal to discriminate against a person applying for a job because of their race or religious affiliation. Our society has made it clear that a black person can apply for any job and have a legal recourse if they are not hired because of the color of his or her skin. The law also protects job applicants from being discriminated against because they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.

While it has not always been so, it is illegal in this country to refuse a marriage license to inter-racial or inter-faith couples. A black person can marry a white person. A Christian can marry a Jew.

Our society and government have determined that there is no rational basis for denying employment or a marriage license to persons because of their race or religion. Rational arguments now favor extending equal protections in employment and marriage for sexual orientation.

Herenton owes voters in the Ninth District a rational explanation of his position. First, why is marriage discrimination in his list of legislative priorities? Second, how does he explain his dissonant view on LGBT equality?

Is Herenton using the Gay community?

Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton -- who frequently supported the gay community while in office – is now trying to use the gay community to score political points in the race for the 9th Congressional District.

In a March 1 letter to pastors in Shelby County, Herenton wrote, “As pastors, I hope you will join me in my opposition to same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana,”

With these words, Herenton casts a dark shadow over his previous record of supporting the GLBT community in Memphis.

On September 25, 2000, Herenton appeared at Calvary Church in Memphis beside Judy Shepard (the mother of slain hate crime victim Matthew Shepard) to proclaim the day “Memphis Against Hate Crimes Day". During his proclamation, Herenton said:

"I'm here tonight because this great city of Memphis ought to stand tall and protest vehemently against hate crimes . . . . This should be a city where people don't have fear because of the color of our skin or the religion we practice or the person we choose to love."

Within the same year, Mayor Herenton participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center in the Cooper-Young Neighborhood.

In January 2009, Herenton pledged his support for a Non-Discrimination Ordinance that would protect employees of the City of Memphis and City contractors from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression to leaders of the Tennessee Equality Project’s Shelby County Committee.

Voters in the 9th Congressional District should hold Herenton to his own words:

This should be a city where people don't have fear because of the color of our skin or the religion we practice or the person we choose to love.

It sounds like fear is all Herenton has to offer the intended audience of his March 1 letter.

-Jonathan Cole

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.

Surrendering Memphis City Charter?

Mayor Willie Herenton declares his support for surrendering the Memphis City Charter as a mechanism for consolidating City and Shelby County government. There are a surprising number of officials willing to entertain the idea.

Such a move would have significant ramifications for the plans to enact a Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO) for the City of Memphis. If an NDO were enacted and the citizens of Memphis approved surrendering the city charter in a ballot referendum, we'd have to start over with the County Commission. Ultimately, a Shelby County NDO would be the next logical step after a Memphis's approval of the NDO.

Is there hope for reform of Memphis City Schools and consolidation?

Yesterday, the Commercial Appeal speculated that Mayor Herenton would advise the Memphis City Council to keep funding the Memphis City School system. Instead, he told the council that it might be a good idea to withold funding:

This could present a great opportunity to reform the governance of the city schools and operation of the city schools. I am moving to the opinion there needs to be a dramatic reform.

Recent legal opinions suggest that if the city stopped contributing to the school system budget, Shelby County Government would be forced to absorb all funding responsibillity. This is one way to begin the process of consolidating Memphis and Shelby County government and try to reform an ailing school system. If anything, it has the merit of trying something new.

UPDATE: The Daily News also has a report on this story. TDN often offers greater depth in their reporting.

Subtle gesture to the MCS Board of Education?

The Memphis City Council is considering a proposal to stop funding the Memphis City Schools with city tax dollars.

In 2004 and 2005, Mayor Herenton also proposed witholding city funds from the Memphis City School sytem, but today, he is telling the City Council to keep funding the Memphis City Schools.

What does Mayor Herenton have to gain in making such a proposal with the Superintendent postion currrently vacant and talk of him as a candidate?

Hmmm.

"Memphis deserves better"

Wendi Thomas provides insightful commentary on the Herenton - Memphis City Schools drama in Sunday's Commerical Appeal.

Could Herenton be plotting to put Memphis City Schools under city government?

The latest conspiracy theory from Blake Fotenay of the Commercial Appeal.

Herenton ran in 2007 to protect the city...

from Carol Chumney and Herman Morris. How could we have missed that?

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/mar/25/herenton-says-he-ran-re-election-protect-memphis-c/

The reactions of Morris and Chumney to the remarks are pretty good.

By way of disclaimer, I should note that TEP-PAC endorsed Herman Morris for Mayor.

Herenton only intends to resign

The Commercial Appeal reports today that Mayor Herenton will not leave office if he's not offered the Superintendent position with Memphis City Schools.



This drama is just getting started.



More here.

No deal on sup job prior to resignation for Herenton

That's what Memphis school board members say, at least. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/mar/25/no-deal-made-board-chief-says/

Herenton resignation? Not so fast

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton says he will stay on as mayor if he isn't named superintendent of Memphis City Schools: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/mar/24/24mayor/ . The Memphis Flyer isn't impressed, comparing Herenton to one of Gild Radner's SNL characters: http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A40911

Education leadership is experiencing unprecedented flux at the local level in Tennessee. Herenton isn't the only Tennessee city official thinking of jumping to the school system, though. Nashville Metro Council member Eric Crafton recently announced he's considering a school board bid. Today the City Paper reports he wants term limits for school board members: http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=59248 . Such a move certainly gets people used to hearing his name coupled with the school board slot.