Is secession an equality issue?

Secession petitions have filled the White House petition website, including one from Tennessee that reached the required number to receive some sort of response from the administration. 

Should the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community be concerned?  Well, there's little chance of actual secession coming from these petitions, but I think it's worth watching carefully as this aspect of the conservative movement evolves. 

Here's one comment that came shortly after the Chattanooga Times Free Press posted a question about Tennessee secession on its Facebook page:

There are so many questions yet to be asked, or for that matter, so many answers we need. Will there be gays in this new nation that Tennessee joins? I'm not advocating that we "throw-out" the gays, but a fresh start is a fresh start. What about abortion? I think this new nation that we form should outlaw all abortions and abortion by-products, thus forcing our women to obey the men. Am I saying that women will be viewed under men in this new nation? No, not at all, but men should hold their women to a higher standard in order to form a more prefect union.

Do these views represent the views of everyone who has signed these petitions?  No, they don't.  But how will we know what the movement is about until the views get clarified publicly?  

And we haven't seen much of that from those who might speak for the neo-secessionist movement.  We haven't even seen much from our own elected officials on the topic or from progressive organizations.  Governor Haslam has said that secession petitions aren't valid and Sen. Mae Beavers has expressed some sympathy, but that's about as far as it goes.  

 Most of the reporting has focused on which states have petitions and how far along they are toward the 25,000 signature threshold.   

So we have a real absence of response.  Not good.  Ignoring the Tea Party didn't work, certainly not in Tennessee where the movement helped pass a state law that nullified Metro Nashville's 2011 contractor non-discrimination ordinance.

Shouldn't we press adherents of these petitions on their motives, reasons, and arguments?  Shouldn't we ask what values would drive these independent states they call for?  Shouldn't we ask, given the quotation above, who matters, who has rights, who doesn't?  

Some of the signers are no doubt simply signaling a protest about their view of the state of our country and we may find that some wish to debate the right of states to secede.  But legal theories aren't the point.  The point is why would anyone even contemplate secession.

For most gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people the prospect of secession can only be scary or absurd.  For our community, the promise of America--the UNITED States--is our hope for full equality under the law, a hope that is finally bearing fruit in the last few years with real progress on federal legislation, the election of out candidates, and four wins at the ballot on marriage measures.    

We shouldn't get mired in the esoteric debates on whether states have the right to secede.  We need to stay on message and ask why.  What kind of society is it that the petition signers wish they could create or that they think they've lost?  And can we articulate a different vision of America that is more inclusive and hopeful?  

 

Quotation of the Day: "...not vessels for votes."

Nick Herbert, a gay conservative member of the British Parliament, addresses the Cato Institute today. In the write-up about his appearance, the Advocate quotes him in a Guardian piece:

"Gay people are not the property of the left, or of any party,” Herbert's speech reads. “They are not an interest group or a political commodity to be traded. They are not vessels for votes. Gay people are motivated by the same issues as any other voter. They will vote for the political party which best sits with their views — so long as that party does not make itself taboo."

If one party takes the American GLBT community for granted and the other fails to see opportunity, we can't move public policy. We will win when they compete for us. I'm not holding my breath.

Closeting the gay factor in the GOP gubernatorial race

According to Hayes Hickman in the Knoxville News Sentinel, all the Republican candidates running for governor are vying for the conservative label.

But most of the quotes and analysis focus on the issues of guns and abortion. If that sounds familiar, it mirrors the focus of conservatives in the Legislature this year. There is also an interesting section on the controversial nature of accepting stimulus funds.

One might think that in such a long piece on what it means to be a conservative running for governor in Tennessee, some anti-equality rhetoric might make an appearance. The closest the article comes is this blurb about Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey:

Ramsey, whose platform includes "traditional values" that recognize that "the family is the core unit of society," said he gives no less importance to Tennessee's economic challenges.

Family Action's David Fowler, who is quoted extensively, hints at but does not name GLBT issues, thus compounding their absence:

"So far, in the literature I've read from all the candidates, the issues of greatest concern to their conservative base have not been addressed."

If guns, abortion, and the stimulus are openly discussed, what else could Fowler mean but GLBT issues? But then again, what's a conservative in Tennessee to do--run against gay marriage? It's already banned by statute and constitutional amendment. Would running against adoption by gays and lesbians get a GOP candidate very far in a statewide race? How about running against the hate crimes bill? Not likely.

These candidates certainly aren't at the point of turning pro-gay, but they may have realized that running against the GLBT community is a non-starter...if it even crossed their minds to begin with. Let's hope that's the case.

A minor tribute to East Tennessee

I made the drive to Johnson City and back yesterday to meet with the TEP Tri-Cities committee. I've been in East Tennessee a lot this fall--two trips to Chattanooga, one to Knoxville, one to Sewanee (which isn't technically in East TN, but right on the edge), and now Johnson City.

It was a relaxing drive through a beautiful part of the state. The hills and trees make you want to stop the car and just run up in them and get lost for a day. I was reminded at almost every turn of how socially conservative the State is. First, every hour or so, your eyes meet a Zach Wamp billboard. It wasn't that long ago that he called homosexuality a "sickness." As I crossed into Roane County, I thought of the Ken Yager Becky Ruppe race and those radio ads opposing "gay marriage" that everyone had to listen to for weeks. And if you missed that, the number of religious (read "Evangelical) programs on the radio is hard to avoid as you're scanning through the channels. I have to say I don't blame Senator Yager a bit for going antiquing to escape the noise.

As I drove closer to and then through Knoxville I thought of the youth factor that has been everywhere in political news--the youth surge for Obama and all the twenty and thirty-somethings at the Prop 8 rallies in Tennessee and around the country. The face of the conservative movement in East Tennessee is also young. Naturally, I thought of Rep. Campfield and his enthusiasm for conservative principles and embrace of new media to join the conversation. As I drove further, I saw the sign for White Pine and thought of David Oatney, so I stopped for a quick bite to eat. Not much of a revenue boost to the town he loves so much to be sure, but it was the sign of respect I could manage on a quick trip. I continue to be impressed with his efforts to bring thoughtfulness to issues. Politically, he and I would agree on very little, but I love the fact that he has been involved in education at his parish. I suspect we would agree on a large chunk of theological matters. Driving on, I thought of Republican House leader Jason Mumpower. I didn't make it to Bristol, but he was on my mind. I thought of my college professor's lectures on Machiavelli and Leo Strauss and laughed as I wondered whether they should be updated to include Spider-Man, too.

And I wished as I drove on that thoughtful, young, successful, otherwise kind people like them didn't see our rights as a problem. And I hope it's not always so. In the mean time, I'm amazed at the work that our three committees in East Tennessee are doing. They share a great deal with their conservative counterparts. As the conversation in Tennessee moves along, I hope that will continue to become evident.

Conservatives draw on core values in response to Knoxville Church shooting

Greg Johnson has a thoughtful piece in today's Knoxville News Sentinel that discusses conservative responses to the tragic shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. He notes that many conservatives in East Tennessee have been "jarred" by the apparent anti-liberal motives of the shooter as well as the debate over the influence of prominent conservative authors. Johnson's column is part of the healing process, just as First Baptist Church's decision to host a prayer service for the Knoxville community. Regardless of whether there is agreement about the policy implications of this tragic event, it is helpful to have an honest dialogue that squarely confronts the questions. Johnson does so poignantly. In his own words:

Some prominent East Tennessee conservatives were wrestling with the question when I spoke to them earlier this week. One noted that a core conservative value is the sanctity of human life. Another spoke of the worth of the individual being a fundamental conservative concept. Both spoke of the need for vigorous yet civil and peaceful debate of important issues.

But some conservative commentators, especially those selling books or ad slots on television or radio, go too far to shock and awe. Our culture - from Hollywood to online communities to cable television to talk radio - has coarsened. Too many on both sides of the political aisle have forsaken dialogue and debate for diatribes.

By some accounts, the suspect despised those different from him, be they liberals, blacks or gays. Though the community has started down the road of healing, our differences will remain. Debate will - and should - continue. Regardless of ideology, though, one timeless truth will still apply: "In the essentials, unity. In the nonessentials, liberty. In all things, charity."

"I'm more conservative than you." District 26 Senate race

http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080413/NEWS01/804130313/-1/newsfront2

A Jackson Sun profile of the candidates running to replace John Wilder in the Senate (D-Mason). Whoever wins may tip the balance between Democrats and Republicans in the closely divided Senate. A big turnout by Democrats in the presidential election may help Democrat Randy Camp, who was Wilder's chief of staff.

So far the rhetoric is about who is more conservative...or at least conservative enough for the district. Camp and a possible Republican opponent Rep. Delores Gresham (R-Somerville) have weighed in so far.

Here are the relevant quotations:

"I'm a conservative Democrat," Camp said. "I don't think being a Republican or a Democrat makes that much difference to people if they've got good conservative representation."

Gresham, a former Marine, said her experience will show she is capable of bringing strong representation to the district. She promised to work to improve education and battle against legalized abortion.

"Conservative principles and voting record will resonate with those who look into it," Gresham said. "I look forward to the campaign, I look forward to building a relationship with the people of the 26th district, and I look forward to a great summer."