MGLCC at Memphis St. Patrick's Parade

Participants in the 35th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Beale Street included the grand krewes of Carnival Memphis, the Tiger Blue Fire Crew, the Gallowglass Bagpipers, the Dead Elvis Society, and many other regulars.

The Beale Street Merchant's Association invited the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center to enter the parade this year for the first time. Since GLBT groups are prohibited from entering St. Patrick's Day Parades in other cities like New York City, the invitation was a big deal.

MGLCC entered as a walking group of about 20 people and carried a banner and rainbow flag. Having never attended this parade in the past, I was surprised to see such a large crowd lining the streets of Beale Street on either side. MGLCC's walking group was warmly received with only one "boo" reported from the crowd. The booing boor was chastised by other members of the crowd.

I am no stranger to marching in gay pride parades in Memphis, but this was a different experience. When people come to a gay pride parade they know to expect several GLBT groups and organizations in the procession. People who came to the St. Patrick's parade probably did not expect to see us yesterday. So I was pleased that MGLCC gained some welcomed visibility in the festivities. Maybe there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Seen and heard at the Human Rights Campaign dinner

The Human Rights Campaign's annual dinner was a good ticket tonight if you wanted to be in the midst of State and local politics. Starting at the State level, Tennessee Democratic Party chair Chip Forrester was spotted at the silent auction and the dinner meeting the guests. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ward Cammack, who earlier in the week had expressed his concerns about the adoption ban bill in the Legislature, was also at the dinner. It should be interesting to see whether this refreshing change in the rhetoric will catch on with some of the other candidates.

Council Member Ronnie Steine was also spotted at the silent auction and he attended the dinner as well. I didn't notice any other members of Council or hear their names called from the podium. District 18 candidate David Glasgow had a table at the event, and he got an enthusiastic reception from the crowd of 450. Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors had bought a ticket, but she sent word that she was too ill to attend. Both she and Mayor Karl Dean had welcome letters in the dinner program. When Dean was introduced, he got a rousing standing ovation before he even began to speak. He urged the crowd only half jokingly to go forth from the dinner to spend their money and help the local economy. Then he turned to a brief tribute to the honorees Suzanne Bradford and Judy Lojek and Brad Beasley. He ended by expressing his solidarity with the guests in their quest for equality. There was no specific mention of any forthcoming Metro legislation. I don't read much into that since it is the Council's prerogative to introduce the hoped for nondiscrimination ordinance.

Fightin' Friday Music: Williams for Williams

Given Speaker Kent Williams' victories this week, a little Hank Williams, Jr. hits the right note:

Can't even get her own definition right

Chairman Smith redefines the family again in listing the principles of the GOP: "You believe in the traditional family of one man and one woman".

No marriage, no children, no pesky in-laws, no commitment, no love. Just one man and one woman at a time...well, that part's really not spelled out. It's a little like a 70s movie. Key party fundraisers may be coming back to Tennessee.

Sex education in House hearing

I was struck today by the discussion of comprehensive, "age appropriate" sex education in today's House Health and Human Resources Committee as the abortion resolutions were debated. I guess I've become so accustomed to the language of dancing around the issue that I'm always surprised when the phrase comes up. But it came more than a few times. What also struck me was that women were the only speakers talking about it.

Where are the men? Have we become so trapped in a certain version of masculinity that the only public posture we can take is silence or the socially conservative rhetoric on that issue? The women who spoke today were strong voices for girls. Don't men want boys growing up with good information? While there is an emerging discourse about responsible fatherhood, what about giving boys the information they need to avoid sexually transmitted diseases or not becoming a father before they're ready? It seems as if it should all go together.

Maybe we just assume that guys are going to find out about sex one way or the other. Unfortunately, a lot of what they learn is not great information. A friend's "conquest" stories, overhearing what's being in said in the locker room, going to the internet, or random experimentation--that won't cut it. And neither is the 10-minute discussion with your father if your father is even around. Without good sex education, that's what we're basically leaving our boys and girls with.

Congratulations, HRC Nashville

Out & About Newspaper is reporting that the Nashville Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign has received the "Best Partnership with a State Group" award at their recent Lobby Day and national board meeting in Washington, D.C. The state group in question happens to be the Tennessee Equality Project.

The Human Rights Campaign provided valuable help last year on a number of bills, particularly the adoption ban, and they have shown the same commitment to helping with state legislation this year. We feel very fortunate to have the support of their national staff and their local membership. Congratulations!

Have more babies? Dubious answers on Church growth

Normally we don't deal with matters that are strictly speaking ecclesiastical. But this piece in today's Tennessean caught my eye. The headline reads provocatively--Churches blame empty pews on fewer babies. Babies could not be reached for comment, but the Tennessean talked to Church growth types and looked at the statistics.

There's nothing anti-gay about the article, but my ears perk up any time someone suggests that the answer to a problem is in more fertility. Furthermore, the piece argues that conservative denominations are now either seeing a slight decline or a slowing of their growth, which does have an impact on GLBT issues. But back to fertility. I think that is one force in the decline of these churches, but there are some thoughts in the article that suggest the problem is more complex. Consider this cutline under one of the photos:

"Paul Prill leads the Wednesday night song service at Acklen Avenue Church of Christ in Nashville. The church's population fell when its children grew up and moved away. "

But while Nashvillians were busy moving away, weren't lots of people moving to Middle Tennessee who more than took their place? Some churches are simply not adapting to the mobility of our society. While not everyone moving to a new city is looking for a Church home, many people are. And if a Church is too caught up in being an institution designed for a few families who have been there for generations, then it won't put forth the effort to welcome the hundreds of new people who arrive in the city every day to start a new phase in their lives.

I guess there's also a theological issue I have with ministers and Church officials saying that babies are the answer. While God does say to humankind in Genesis, "Be fruitful and multiply," Christ says nothing of the kind in the Great Commission. That was more about preaching and baptizing, as I recall. So the issue, as always, is mission. What is the Church supposed to be doing?

I'm fortunate to be a parishioner at Christ Church Cathedral where the sense of mission is strong. During the Easter Vigil every year a number of babies are baptized and adults are confirmed or received into the Church. Outreach in the city is strong. The worship has integrity. And the GLBT community, for whom fertility is not typically the primary consideration, is welcome. I think what is so striking is that there are so many roles for lay persons in the parish. There is a strong, diffused sense of responsibility among the laity and newcomers can find a great place to worship and their own way of contributing to the work of the parish.

If the priests were to suggest that we should start having more babies, I think they would be met with blank stares.

Add Rural Republican to Carter County Republican

House Speaker Kent Williams is going to be admitted to the Rural Republican Caucus, according to the Kingsport paper.

State Rep. Joe McCord, R-Maryville, stood on the House floor on Thursday to announce he is forming a rural Republican Caucus with lawmakers who live in counties with a population of less than 175,000.

Williams would be eligible to join that caucus, and he wants to attend those meetings.

“He said I would be welcome to join that caucus,” Williams said of his conversation with McCord.

Two months later, Williams' election is still causing people to show their hands in this extended poker game. Democrats and Republicans are reevaluating their alliances both internally and between the two parties. The episode is revealing many clusters of leadership in the House. Some have painted this development as a bad thing, but I think it's too early to tell. If anything, we might be seeing more cooperation among the grand divisions of the state. And that appears to be increasing the backing for mega sites for business in each of the three areas. At least, that's what I've heard as I've listened to the speeches on the House floor. And yet, it's not turning into a rural vs. urban bloodbath either. Speaker Williams' trip to Memphis was a strong signal that there is openness to bridging the divide.

The Speaker may just get what he has wanted--independence:

"I think a lot of our members are beginning to see they don’t need to be told how to vote on issues. We’ve got Republicans with independent minds."

Early Voting in the 18th

Based on everything I've heard, the early voting turnout in District 18 is on the light side. When I was at the Election Commission this morning, the turnout was really low. John Ray Clemmons' campaign was represented along with David Glasgow's.

On Friday night several of us walked the neighborhood leaving information on early voting at houses on our routes. See below for a picture of the some of the members of the walk team wearing their snazzy shirts. Today the campaign held an early voting tail gate in the Election Commission parking lot.

Campfield's Don't Say Gay bill to be heard Wednesday

Rep. Stacey Campfield's (R-Knoxville) bill that would prohibit the furnishing of materials on sexuality other than heterosexuality will be heard in the House K-12 subcommittee on Wednesday.

The language of the fiscal note takes a little swipe at the bill pointing out, "Local education agencies teach what they consider to be 'age appropriate' topics, as based on the Department of Education’s
Healthful Living curriculum, which does not include homosexuality as a topic. No fiscal impact on state or local government."

It's really hard to know what is worse, bills desperately in search of ways to discriminate or the fact that we have a repressed curriculum.

Glasgow gets big boost from teachers as early voting begins

David Glasgow has announced that he has received the endorsement of MNEA's PAC as early voting begins today in the special election for the open District 18 Metro Council seat.

With his early lead in fundraising dollars as well as the number of local donors, this endorsement is another sign of an effective campaign.

Update: Michael Cass with the confirmation.

Memphis Commercial Appeal opposes Adoption Ban Bill

The Memphis Commerical Appeal has declared its opposition to the Adoption Ban Bill in the Tennessee General Assembly:

Couples who want to adopt in Tennessee are carefully screened to determine their ability to deal with a child's behavior. Their strengths are matched with the child's needs. A detailed study of their household includes medical and financial statements and references.

Whatever their motivations, politicians should not attempt to overrule the judgment of DCS professionals about who is fit to adopt and what is in the best interest of children in the care of the state.

There has never been a stampede to adopt children in Tennessee, especially minority children, children who are more than 8 years old and children with disabilities.

There are many important issues that will help determine children's future happiness, security and success. They need stable, caring, responsible parents with a good home.

Such parents can be found among married couples as well as those whose bonds are not formal but are stable and strong.

Another one joins the party

Out & About Newspaper has discovered that more than one candidate for Metro Council District 18 has voted Republican. Since it's a nonpartisan race, no one should care. But the City Paper apparently did care, or whoever was the source of their news tip cared enough to look at the voting records of David Glasgow.

Now my question is why didn't the City Paper look at the voting records of all the candidates and do a story about that like Out & About did? What exactly was behind that story?

Anger in the GLBT rights movement

The Washington Blade has summarized some responses to this Equality California ad:



The reactions are basically that the ad is not angry enough. I actually think it's a great ad, although I suspect most straight people in Tennessee would consider it "in your face."

That's the tension. GLBT folks in Tennessee are angry about the demeaning, discriminatory bills we are facing in the Legislature. But if we show anger for even just a moment, we're suddenly the angry gays. As a minority group in a get-along/go-along culture, we have had to stay in a tight box of appearing gentle, reasonable, polite, perhaps even begging. If we stray out of that box, our words become completely eclipsed. I hazard to say that Jeff Woods at the Nashville Scene has expressed more direct outrage in print than any GLBT person in the state (in print) about these bills.

So rather than talk about human rights, we are forced to talk about fiscal notes because human rights sounds like something people talk about when Secretary of State Clinton visits China. How could we possibly have a human rights problem in Tennessee? How foolish sounding to spout off about human rights to state lawmakers! Right?

The sad thing is that we've internalized these checks on our language. We grew up around the same culture of Evangelicalism (even if we aren't Evangelicals) and neighborliness and hospitality that our straight counterparts did. We feel a strong social connection even to those who seek to deny us our rights. They are our family, friends, parishioners, and coworkers. We don't want to rock the boat.

The problem is...we didn't start rocking the boat. When you compare the number of positive bills to the number of discriminatory bills filed just about every year, it's pretty clear we're not the ones stirring the pot. So I suspect that as more hate crimes occur and if some of these bills pass, Tennessee is going to see a great deal more anger openly expressed. That doesn't mean that the professional mechanics of politics (lobbying, endorsing candidates, working the media, running for office, etc.) is going to be abandoned. It means that our opponents will have our anger to make them uncomfortable as well as our sexuality and our gender.

The tension will increase as federal GLBT rights bills pass. When we have full hate crimes protections and employment protections granted by the Congress, people will simply not understand when the Tennessee General Assembly entertains piss-ant bills that try to ban all mention of us in school curricula.

For the last 8 years, those of us in the GLBT rights movement in Tennessee have accommodated ourselves to a federalism that carves out specific prerogatives to the states, prerogatives that make us vulnerable to a wide variety of discriminatory attacks. But that day is passing away. GLBT people are either not going to understand or care that traditionally states have wide lattitude in family law and health and education policy. And as the role of the role of the federal government in the economy increases, the language of federalism will make less and less sense to everyone. It won't be that we have changed the debate. The terms will change and wash over us all. The issue is how we adapt to the change in discourse to claim our rights as American citizens right here in Tennessee. Expect a little shouting along the way.

Adoption ban bill in the news

Janell Ross of the Tennessean looks at the battle over SB 0078 that would prohibit anyone who is unmarried and cohabiting from adopting children:

If the bill were passed, the department estimates, children would probably spend an average of an additional 180 days — about six months — in state care, [Depart of Children's Service Executive Director of the office of child permanency Elizabeth] Black said.

As of the end of January, 7,184 children were in some type of state care or supervision.

Of those, 330 were available for adoption with no suitable family found. Some of these children have been in state custody for three or four years.

The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth voted last week not to support the legislative effort to prohibit unmarried couples from adopting.

“We don’t live in an ideal world,” said Linda O’Neal, executive director of the commission.

“In some cases, having two committed adults who can provide financial and other types of stability, that situation may be better.”

Those are really the issues stated as concisely as possible. They summarize the wait for the child and the expense for the state. It's important to remember that the 180 days is an average. What that really means is that some children wait years and some never get adopted. When they become 18, they're pretty much on their own without much help or guidance.

Out & About Newspaper endorses Glasgow in the 18th

Out & About Newspaper has endorsed David Glasgow for the 18th District Metro Nashville Council seat in the upcoming election. Out & About surveyed all the candidates; three of them responded.

Early voting starts March 6.

TTPC statement on voter i.d. bills coming up in Senate committee

Statement from the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition:

Seven Voter ID Bills to be Reviewed by State Senate Committee

This Tuesday, March 3, the State Senate State and Local Government Committee will hear seven bills which would make new requirements for Voter ID's in Tennessee. The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition is opposed to any legislation which could lead to new requirements for changing gender markers which would present new challenges to transgender people who transition. This could lead to the disfranchisement of transgender voters in Tennessee.

The seven bills before the committee are:

SB0150 by Bill Ketron
SB1681 by Bill Ketron
SB0587 by Mae Beavers
SB0191 by Dewayne Bunch
SB0173 by Bill Ketron
SB0886 by Bill Ketron
SB0194 by Dewayne Bunch

Please contact members of the members of the State and Local Government Committee to express your concern about these bills and their potential negative impact on transgender voters:

Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro), Chair
Lowe Finney (D-Jackson), Vice Chair
Joe Haynes (D-Goodlettsville), Secretary
Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville)
Mike Faulk (R-Church Hill)
Thelma Harper (D-Nashville)
Mark Norris (R-Collierville)
Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville)
Ken Yager (R-Harriman)


The State and Local Government Committee meets Tuesday, March 3, at 8:30 am, in Legislative Plaza, Room 12.

Marisa Richmond
President

Democrats "outgunned" in the Legislature

According to Andy Sher of the Times Free Press, 22 Republicans and 12 Democrats in the Legislature have permits to carry loaded handguns. That's a little over a quarter of the members. Holding a permit is not necessarily an indicator of one's position on the different gun bills in the Legislature this year:

“One of four has it? I’m really surprised,” said Rep. Naifeh. He noted he obtained his permit in part last year to demonstrate he was not anti-gun but largely “anti-gun in bars” when he blocked handgun-carry permit bills in a House subcommittee.

No local legislators have gun permits, according to a review of the Safety Department database. The handgun permit totals do not include as many as five other lawmakers eligible to carry guns as current or retired members of law enforcement.

While then-Speaker Naifeh blocked many of the bills in recent years, the issue has taken on new life with the election of a new House Speaker, Kent Williams of Elizabethton, a Republican-turned independent, who does not hold a permit, records show.

Photo of the Day: Outing Equipment at Sewanee

I went to Sewanee for a conference on GLBT equality today. Before the session I was leading began, I passed by this door and laughed. Who knew there was special equipment for outing and that you can keep it in a closet? I just thought you needed a loud mouth and indiscretion.

It was a good session. I was particularly glad to learn that Maryville College has a Gay-Straight Alliance that was granted formal status last year. Thanks to the Sewanee Gay-Straight Alliance for inviting me.

Fightin' Friday Music: I Won't Back Down

Sewanee conference on equality

The Sewanee: University of the South Gay-Straight Alliance, in conjunction with the Peace Coalition and Young Democrats is hosting the 2nd annual Southeastern Conference on Human Equality. All events are free and open to the public.

Friday, February 27

5:30-7:00 Opening Reception/ Dinner: Kappa Sigma

7:00-8:30 screening, For the Bible Tells Me So: Gailor Auditorium

Saturday, February 28

9:00-11:00 TN Equality Project Workshop: BC Hearth Room

1:00-2:00 Panel Discussion of implications of Proposition 8: Womens Center

2:30-3:30 keynote, Elizabeth Birch- former executive director of Human Rights Campaign: Guerry Auditorium

For more information, contact Lexi Namer at namerav0@sewanee.edu

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This year we invite Elizabeth Birch, former President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), to speak with the Sewanee community. Birch revolutionized the HRC in her nine year stay. Along with her work with several political administrations, Birch has also been a significant influence in the current debate on the Defense of Marriage Act. Recognized for her powerful prime-time speech at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, we greatly anticipate Birch’s presentation at Sewanee entitled On the Razor’s Edge: LGBT Progress in an Obama Era. This presentation will take place in Guerry Auditorium, Saturday February 28^th at 2:30pm.

For the Bible Tells Me So (2007)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/for_the_bible_tells_me_so/

This documentary explores the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families who exemplify how some insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, For the Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity. A public screening of For the Bible Tells Me So will be shown in Gailor Auditorium at 7:00pm Friday, February 27^th.

The Battle for Equality in Tennessee: How to Fight at the State Level

This workshop, lead by the Tennessee Equality Project’s Chris Sanders, discusses the attacks on the GLBT community's adoption, foster care, relationship, and educational rights in the State Legislature as well as successful strategies for advancing equality at the State level where many of the most important battles in GLBT rights are fought. Discussion includes citizen lobbying, traditional media strategies, new media tools, and organizing. This workshop will be held in the BC Hearth Room at 9:00am Saturday February 28^th, 2009. A light breakfast and Blue Chair coffee will be provided.

Shelby County lawmakers take lead on transgender equality in TN General Assembly

State House Representative Jeanne Richardson and Senator Beverly Marrero are sponsoring two bills that seek to make Tennessee a safer and fairer place for transgender citizens. The Memphis Flyer has the story here.

Each lawmaker is sponsoring bills that would add gender identity or expression to the current hate crime law in Tennessee. Another bill would overturn a law that prevents changing the gender on birth certificates in Tennessee.

Sen. Marrero explains the reasons for the the birth certificate legislation:

"A transgender person who has been through a surgical procedure to go from male to female or female to male cannot change their birth certificates, and that makes it difficult to travel or obtain a passport. The current law also makes it difficult for transgender people to obtain driver's licenses and Social Security cards, since both documents require a birth certificate. It seems mean-spirited to me that there are people who would be concerned about denying somebody the ability to have this stuff straightened out and make their lives easier."

Rep. Richardson is already encountering resistance from her fellow lawmakers:

"Some of my colleagues from the more rural areas don't see the world in the same way as people from Memphis or Nashville do. The first couple of people I talked to said they wouldn't support [the hate crimes amendment]. A lot of people up here are very afraid of pro-gay legislation because there's a whole lot of judgment still going on about sexual orientation."

TN Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America statement on adoption ban

The Tennessee Chapter of the Foster Care Alumni of America have put out a strong statement opposing SB 0078 (the adoption ban bill). These are adults who spent time as children in foster care. And the vast majority of them are not GLBT.

The questions are really poignant when asked by those who grew up as children waiting for permanent homes:

SB 78 supporters state that they want to protect children, and our Chapter accepts their statements as sincere. So we ask them these questions:

• Is it better for our brothers and sisters in care to have no parent than to have parent who is in a relationship you think is wrong or improper?
• Is it better for a child or youth to have no home than to have a home you think is imperfect?

We assume that SB 78’s supporters agree with us that the answer to these questions is “no.”

Therefore, until or unless there are enough qualified and available adoptive parents to promptly meet the needs of every child and youth in care, this bill should be tabled.

Sen. Black's bullying passes Senate

Sen. Diane Black's (R-Gallatin) bullying bill has passed the Senate. The bill standardizes the procedures for dealing with bullying in Tennessee schools. While we don't always agree with Sen. Black on matters of policy, this is is a good bill. TEP congratulates Sen. Black on the unanimous passage of this important bill. We urge the House to take it up quickly and do the same. Our public schools ought to be places that are safe for all children to pursue their education without violence or intimidation.

Fundraising in the 18th race

Out & About Newspaper just published a helpful piece on fundraising in the 18th District race. David Glasgow held a slight lead over John Ray Clemmons based on the disclosure of contributions made by January 15. Both candidates report $11,000 cash on hand. Clemmons has upped the ante a bit by setting a goal of $25,000 while Glasgow pursues a total of $20,000, which would go up in a runoff. Clemmons reported only one PAC contrtibution with the rest of the funds coming from individuals. Out & About notes that some of the early contributions came from out of state while Glasgow had raised most of his money from smaller, local contributions.

Kristine LaLonde, who has actively been fundraising, plans to release more information with the next financial disclosure on March 19. Out & About notes a Nashville Post story by Nate Rau indicating that LaLonde is in the same fundraising ballpark as Glasgow and Clemmons. Her recent endorsement by Women in Numbers should certainly be an additional help as she attracts contributions. I could be wrong, but I think Out & About broke that news. I don't recall seeing it before, but it's a notable endorsement.

Clemmons indicated that he has not yet received any endorsements, but then again, most groups have not yet made their decisions.

The big question mark in terms of fundraising is in Stephenie Dodson's numbers. The Out & About piece indicated that she had not replied to questions.

For four people to be in a race in which they are all trying to raise between $15,000 and $25,000 for a district Metro Council seat in a bad economy and right after a presidential race and the English-Only ballot initiative is pretty amazing. They could all be on track to achieve their fundraising goals. That's either one index of how interested the voters are or how much pressure there is going to be to take outside money/PAC money, etc to make the goal.

What's going to happen this session with four bills of concern to the GLBT community?

The flashy titles of Jeff Woods' blog posts notwithstanding, the 5th Advancing Equality Day on the Hill actually did advance equality a few steps. Difficulties in maintaining appointments with four legislators while 47 meetings took place is not a bad record. I've read through the written reports that were provided by the participants and here's a little bit of what we learned.

SB 0078/HB 0605 (the adoption ban)--At the beginning of the day, many legislators had not heard of the bill. What they consistently said, regardless of party and regardless of whether they supported or opposed the bill, was that anything with a fiscal note like the one the bill carried last year, would either be dead on arrival or have a tough climb. One senator, however, said that if the Senate Republicans wanted to run it, it would pass on a floor vote. That would obviously increase the pressure in the House. Considering the bill managed to hang on until May of last year, even in the face of revenue shortfalls, I think that it's too soon to be optimistic. So TEP will continue to be active in working against the bill.

SB 1250/HB 0821 (Don't Say Gay)--The broad opinion among legislators we talked to was that the fact that Rep. Campfield's name is attached to the bill should be enough to insure its demise. However, the bill will probably get a spirited hearing in the House K-12 subcommittee. Last year when Rep. Les Winningham was chair of the full Education committee, he opposed it. This year, he chairs the K-12 subcommittee where it should be heard first. While many legislators get concerned at the thought of "teaching homosexuality," whatever that means, the bill is written so broadly that many of them can be persuaded that the bill is a bad idea. TEP will continue to work against the bill in a support role. Our assumption is that TEA will be the lead because it deals with a curriculum matter.

SB 0252/HB 0334 (birth certificate change)--Tennessee is the only state that prohibits by statute gender changes on birth certificates. From conversations with Republican lawmakers, the responses varied. Some were sympathetic after meeting with transgender constituents; I wouldn't say that will be enough to change their votes in many cases. Republicans indicated possible objections on the grounds of insurance issues. One Republican frankly admitted that he was tired of dealing with the bill every year and wanted to see some kind of compromise that would include putting MtF (male to female) of FtM (female to male) on birth certificates to indicate a gender change. The transgender community would not view this option as a true compromise because they now identify and live as a gender different from their birth gender. And since birth certificates are now widely used as a form of identification and not merely as a record of what took place, it causes problems for them when dealing with employers, etc. In a heavily Republican Senate and an almost evenly divided House, the bill continues to face an uphill climb. TEP will continue to support the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition in advocating for the bill.

SB 0253/HB 0335 (hate crimes sentencing enhancement for gender identity)--Tennessee hate crimes sentencing enhancement currently includes sexual orientation, but not gender identity or expression. Given the rash of violence against the transgender community last year in Memphis, the need for the bill is clear to the GLBT community. This bill unfortunately will probably not move very far this session for a number of reasons. First, the scope of the problem is largely unknown to legislators across the state. Many had not heard of the bill or the problem when our Day on the Hill participants spoke with them on Tuesday. The bill will also carry a fiscal note and that will hamper its chances of advancing. TEP will continue to support TTPC in providing education about the problem.

There are several other bills that we are monitoring this session, but those are the big four. Check here for regular updates.

Ministers Day on the Hill: If you're male and against the GLBT

Jeff Woods links to and mocks the Family Action Council's upcoming Ministers Day on the Hill. Watching the video, I noticed some diversity--white and African-American ministers. But you'd be hard pressed to find many women. I'm not sure how many priests (Orthodox, Catholic, or Episcopal) were in the crowd. Oh, um, rabbis and imams? Next question.

I'm not sure whether to be troubled by or just merely dismissive of the speaker who is being brought in to help the ministers respond to the "Gay Theology Movement." I have an M.Div., and I'd be lying if I said I'd never heard of something called "Gay Theology." But I can tell you that it has almost nothing to do with most GLBT Christians in Tennessee. In my view, theology is the systematic consideration of God's nature and how God relates through the process of redemption to the creation. A question in the vast sweep of the discipline relates to how we interpret the place of GLBT people in God's redemptive work. You can look at that question from the point of view of Biblical interpretation, social ethics, and the implications of the core doctrines. But I've never thought of myself as holding, following, or teaching a "Gay Theology."

I think the way this seminar will try to frame the question is one of "Gay Theology" vs. true Christianity, which means some form of Evangelical theology whose pedigree definitely doesn't go back further than the 16th century and probably not much further back than the late nineteenth. Truth be told, there's a lot of late 20th century innovation in it. And in my least charitable moments, I'd say whatever gets said will have been thought up 5 minutes before the seminar begins next month.

Of course, most troubling is the fact that the speaker is trying to respond to a movement that has little relevance in Tennessee, but he will ignore the lives of GLBT people in Tennessee. And this response will then be used to advance policy that makes life difficult for real families. It will be a clean, discursive procedure free of the body count. No muss, no fuss...all to the background of happy hymn singing.

Onward, Christian soldiers!

Fighin' Friday Music: I've Got You by Melange Lavonne

Though it's too cute for a fight song, it still has some fight to it. So I'll dedicate it to all the parents and parental hopefuls who lobbied against the SB 0078 at the Legislature this week during Advancing Equality Day on the Hill:

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

The Shelby County Committee of Tennessee Equality Project invites you to celebrate Mardi Gras at Pearl's Oyster House and promote LGBT equality in our local community and state.

Enjoy fun, merriment and the tasty flavors of New Orleans cuisine while promoting a worthy cause. TEP will provide a spread of tasty treats with cash bar. Mardi Gras beads and attire are encouraged. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 299 South Main Street in Downtown Memphis.

TEP is moving forward with plans to promote Non-Discrimination Ordinances in Memphis and Nashville and fight anti-LGBT legislation at the state and local level. Citizens from Shelby County and all over Tennessee just completed another successful Advancing Equality Day on the Hill in Nashville. We engaged lawmakers on several bills affecting the LGBT community including an adoption ban bill that would "prohibit any individual who is cohabitating in a sexual relationship outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of this state from adopting a minor."

Help us fight this bill and other anti-LGBT legislation! Your support is needed to advance and protect LGBT rights in our state ($25 to $50 suggested donation). If you can't attend the party but want to support TEP's efforts in Memphis and elsewhere in the state, take a moment to donate online.

Contributions to TEP's 501(c)(4) lobbying organization are not tax-deductible.

For more information contact TEP at 901.301.3306 or shelbycounty@tnequalityproject.com.

Let the good times roll!

Endorsement of David Glasgow in Metro District 18: Full text

The news has already broken at Out & About and at the Tennessean, and picked up by Mr. Kleinheider, but here is the full text of TEP PAC's endorsement of David Glasgow from TEP PAC Chair Jenny Ford:

On Tuesday in the presence of the statewide community gathered for the 5^th annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill, I had the pleasure of announcing that TEP PAC has endorsed David Glasgow for the open Metro Nashville Council seat in District 18.

David is a strong neighborhood advocate, a quality prized highly by the people of District 18. Also impressive is how hard David has worked in this campaign. David has knocked on countless doors and, according to the first financial disclosure, he is the leading candidate in fundraising with an impressive number of local contributors. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to put in the time needed to serve his neighbors, and the residents of his district are responding enthusiastically.

David is the third openly gay candidate that TEP PAC has endorsed. In 2007, we endorsed Shane Burkett for Metro Council District 12 as well as Keith Durbin, who served as the District 18 Council Member. David has expressed a strong commitment to equality that stems not only from his personal story, but from his desire to represent one of the most progressive areas of the State. He understands that there is not a separation between the task of serving all his constituents and advancing equality. For these reasons, he has received our endorsement.

We would also like to acknowledge the clear commitment to equality articulated by candidates John Ray Clemmons, Stephenie Dodson, and Kristine LaLonde. In particular, we are grateful for the longstanding and active work for equality exhibited by Kristine LaLonde. It is obvious that District 18 is fortunate to have so many good candidates running for this seat.

If you live in District 18, we ask you to vote for David. We ask the entire statewide community to support him in his bid for Metro Council. You can find out how by clicking here http://www.glasgow18.com/contribute/ . If you live in Nashville, we ask you to consider volunteering in the campaign. Learn more by clicking here http://www.glasgow18.com/volunteer/ .

Let’s all do our part to help David get elected.

Yours,

Jenny Ford

Chair, TEP PAC

Where's G.A. Hardaway?

When GLBT constituents and their friends from all corners of Tennessee arrived for Advancing Equality on the Hill last Tuesday, a few had difficulty meeting with their Senators or House Representatives. Liberadio and Pith in the Wind documented that Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) canceled her appointment with her constituents because there was really no reason to meet since there was nothing new to hear and there were no common stances with anything her GLBT constituents had to discuss. Despite the cancellation, her constituents did report to Black's office at the appointed time and were able to talk with her for a few minutes.

Rep. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) "stood up" his constituents twice after missing scheduled and rescheduled appointments on Tuesday. Campfield is notorious for filing bills that border on the absurd that have never made it to the floor for a vote. His proposed legislation includes bills that would prohibit discussion of homosexuality or bisexuality in public schools, call for issuing death certificates for aborted fetuses, and deny birth certificates to immigrant children.

Shelby County constituents also had difficulty meeting with a few of their lawmakers. I phoned several times to schedule an appointment with Rep. G.A. Hardaway (D-92) during the weeks before Advancing Equality Day. I finally reached him last Friday. He apologized that his office had not responded with an appointment for Tuesday and apologized for not calling to cancel a scheduled appearance at TEP's Lobbying 101 training in Memphis on Jan. 24. Hardaway asked that I call his office early Tuesday morning. He was certain he would have time to meet.

I called Rep. Hardaway's office at 8:15 a.m. last Tuesday and was offered a meeting with Hardaway at 12 Noon. When my fellow constituents and I arrived at Hardaway's office at Noon, we were told that he would not be available for the rest of the day. I found this curious since many in our Shelby County group had seen Rep. Hardaway several times in the halls of Legislative Plaza earlier in the day.

Most people who know me will tell you that I am a patient person. I try to accommodate elected officials because I understand they have many demands and responsibilities. Their time is valuable. But a pattern of avoidance seems evident here.

Rep. G.A. Hardaway represents the Cooper Young Neighborhood which includes a high number of GLBT residents and business owners, GLBT-friendly businesses, and the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. Hardaway's constituents deserve to know where he stands on legislation that affects our community. Hardaway has demonstrated an interest in GLBT voters of his district when he is campaigning for office (He made the rounds at the Midsouth Pride Festival last June). But I have never heard him state a position on legislation that affects his GLBT constituents.

So, where is G.A. Hardway? Where does he stand on the adoption ban bill, the birth certificate bill, and the "Don't Say Gay in Schools" bill? If you are lucky enough to catch him, be sure to ask him and let me know.

Is karma catching up with Sen. Paul Stanley?

Shelby County Senator Paul Stanley, the sponsor of the Adoption Ban Bill (SB 0078) which would prohibit any individual who is cohabitating in a sexual relationship outside of a marriage from adopting a minor, is not just the focus of child welfare and LGBT advocates.

Apparently, the Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Stanley's employer, Standford Financial Group, for fraud. The SEC froze company assets to investigate international bank certificates of deposits sold by Stanford Financial Group that paid far more than typical rates of return on U.S. bank CDs. Civil charges against Stanford allege he lied about the safety of investments he sold as "certificates of deposit."

Stanley claims he is dumbfounded:

State Sen. Paul Stanley, R-Germantown, said he was amazed and dumbfounded when he got the call in Nashville from his assistant in Memphis on Tuesday morning that federal authorities had raided the Stanford Financial Group's Memphis office where he works as a wealth manager.

"It's unbelievable. I'm just dumbfounded," he told reporters in his legislative offices in Nashville. "I did not participate in any type of activity nor have any knowledge of it. If justice needs to be served, it needs to be served."

Stanley, first elected to the legislature in 2000, has worked at Stanford Financial Group for 3 1/2 years as an individual wealth management adviser and was in public finance before joining the firm.

Stanley said he has not been contacted by any investigators. "I have no knowledge of this. I don't believe any of my colleagues that were around me or that I worked with or that do what I do were involved in anything. We're wealth managers. You come in with your investments -- stocks, bonds, mutual funds -- and we help manage money for our clients."

The SEC has presented no evidence that Stanley is responsible for any of the malfeasance described in the charges.

The Liberadio Interviews from Advancing Equality Day on the Hill

Here they are. I'm blown away. First, Mary Mancini deserves a big thanks for talking to all these folks. But I'm so impressed with the personal stories of everyone who was interviewed.

Advancing Equality Day on the Hill round up

Another Advancing Equality Day on the Hill has come and gone. The last appointment of the day started at 4:30. Despite some rescheduling and one confirmed no-show, my count is that our members visited 15 senators and 32 representatives today.

Most of the meetings were informative in nature, both for the legislators and for the participants. Legislators have such busy schedules that they can't possibly read all bills and today was the first that some of them had the chance to discuss the bills of concern to our community. Likewise, the experience was educational for our community. Some were pleasantly surprised by the positions of certain lawmakers; others got confirmation of positions they suspected that legislators held.

Participants came from Bristol, Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Cookeville, Crossville, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Jackson, Memphis, and other cities. It was the most geographically diverse group we've ever brought to the event. The strategy of planting committees throughout the state, particularly in East Tennessee, paid off big.

I didn't have time to take a lot of pictures, but here are a few.

Coverage was good. Some of it will appear later in the Commercial Appeal, in the Tennessean, on Liberadio, and on NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, but here is a sampling of what is already available.

Terry Frank and I square off in the pages of the Tennessean on the adoption bill.

Out & About Newspaper's coverage.

Jeff Woods of the Nashville Scene and also here.

Post Politics on the appointment with Sen. Black; see Mary Mancini's comment.

Today's Liberadio Interview: Advancing Equality Day on the Hill

Find it here. Thanks, Mary and Freddie.

TEP Tri-Cities Committee in the News

The Johnson City Press did a feature on our Tri-Cities Committee today.

Committee Chair Joe Rhymer explains the challenges of organizing in Northeast Tennessee:

“As far as a community for GLBT individuals, there’s not a whole lot of it,” Rhymer said. “In the Tri-Cities it’s not something that’s looked fondly upon.”

That should change, Rhymer said. He said tolerance of GLBT individuals is good, but more accepting attitudes need to be realized. The culture needs to change, which is the direction gay rights groups are moving across the country.

Rhymer said he sees unnecessary anxiety placed upon GLBT people, and some in the community lash out in hateful manners toward the gay population. He said some members of the local gay community feel compelled to hide their sexual orientations out of shame, because the consequences of discovery can be devastating.

“Honestly, in the time that I’ve lived here, I’ve heard of three or four suicides because of the fact that someone found out, or someone’s family found out,” Rhymer said.

Senator Paul Stanley wants to know what's going on in your bedroom

Wendi Thomas tells the story of two of my favorite people in today's Commercial Appeal: Will Batts and Curtis Petty. If their Senator has his way, Will and Curtis will lose their right to adopt children.

I spent 7 years working in child welfare in Tennessee. I've witnessed horrible cases of abuse and neglect of children. These children deserve good homes like the one Will and Curtis can provide. It's amazing to me that Paul Stanley has such contempt for my friends by sponsoring this bill again for the second year in a row.

Sen. Paul Stanley's adoption ban bill would do nothing to protect children or increase the likelihood of being placed in a loving and nurturing home. It's about pushing a narrow theological and ideological agenda on the citizens of Tennessee. Political conservatives used to believe that government has no place in the private lives of its citizens.

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, I'll be in Nashville for Advancing Equality Day on the Hill to tell Paul Stanley and other lawmakers that the Adoption Ban Bill has no place in Tennessee. Come with us or write your legislators if you oppose this bill.

Happy Valentine's Day

I went to the Tennessean's website today and saw this picture with the caption "Looking for Love? Check out the best places in Nashville to find love."

There is, indeed, a long unwritten history of people finding love (or fleeting things somewhat like it) at the Capitol, but it would not be my first thought.

But while we're talking about finding love at the Capitol on Valentine's Day, it seems like a good time to remind everyone what we're fighting for in the Legislature this year. It's love. I know some people want to reduce our community to sex, and sex they're not comfortable with, even though some of their best friends are G, L, B, or T. But we're in it for love. You can't build a life with a partner or raise children without love. You can't spend hours advocating for your community's rights without love.

To our friends on the Right, we wish you the best in your marriages. We hope your children grow up to be strong, healthy, smart, active members of their communities. We wish you wanted the same thing for us. But until you do or whether you do, our love will sustain us. Love is at the heart of our movement and our persistence is proof that love conquers all.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Fightin' Friday Music: Fight the Power

The Don't Say Gay bill is back

Well, we knew it was a matter of time. Sen. Bunch and Rep. Campfield have reunited for their duo performance of last year's hit "Don't Say Gay," also known as SB1250/HB0821. This year's digitally remastered version is sure to be on all the club mixes this spring.

OK, back to earth...thanks again, gentlemen, for attempting to erase our existence. No matter how unspeakable you think the love that dare not speak its name is, it's not going away. And it's going to get talked about, and honest curricula in science, health, social studies, and literature will deal with it as part of the overall subject matter. So middle school students won't be allowed to discuss the battles over marriage when they're learning to write essays? Are we going to encourage them to stop reading the news? Unworkable foolishness.

Update: Minnesota's largest school district is dropping its Campfieldesque policy.

Back to the Future: Rep. John DeBerry files companion adoption bill

Rep. John DeBerry (D-Memphis) has once again signed on as the House sponsor of the adoption ban bill. He filed HB 0605 today. He and Sen. Stanley were the sponsors of a virtually identical bill last year.

Naifeh Retrospective

The Tennessean's Theo Emery takes a trip through the years with former House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. One of the early reader comments on the story is that Emery should get a spine because it's basically a p.r. piece. It never takes the haters long to emerge.

But you have to admit, Naifeh's is a great American political story. Who would have thought that a man of Lebanese descent would rise to preside over the TN House of Representatives for 18 years? He even indicates that he would be open to seeking the position again. He's not one to be counted out.

The griping about Naifeh usually centers around how he maintained power, was married to a powerful lobbyist, or that's he's partisan, or that he killed a lot of bills. Why don't people just come out and say it? You don't like him because he stood against your agenda. The other charges usually lack a lot of specificity and amount to piling on. It's either that, or you just don't like being outfoxed in your own power plays.

Well, I'll come clean. I'll always be a fan. I remember that day in 2005 when the adoption ban went down in the Children and Family Affairs Committee by a vote of 11 to 9. Speaker Naifeh went to the committee meeting, rallied the Democrats, and personally cast a vote. I am convinced that his leadership is the reason why adoption in this state is still based on what is in the best interests of the child. For that, I will always be grateful, no matter what happens with the adoption bill this session.

And I have no doubt that there are a hundred other stories like that where the Speaker helped kill a bad bill or advance good legislation. You don't read a lot of defenses of him on the blogs, but that's all right. He's always been able to manage just fine. A word of gratitude now and then doesn't hurt, though.

Tennessee contributors to Florida's marriage ban revealed with handy map

Based on this map of residents of Tennessee who contributed to the effort to pass Florida's marriage ban, persecuting GLBT people in other states isn't a very high priority. The dollar amounts aren't very high either. Maybe no one told Lee Beaman about the Florida amendment because his name doesn't show up.

But if you click on the balloon around Franklin, you'll see that one of our friends at the Family Action Council of Tennessee did his part. Disney may be too pro-gay, but at least it's still safe to go to the beach without running into married same-sex couples.

Bone-headed quote of the day

In response to a 365gay.com story about Tennessee's proposed adoption ban, here's what one commenter had to say:

• Casey Cameron Said: February 5th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

  • I wish the entire south would succeed. The rest of the country could do without their pro-slavery values.

Yes, this daft person wrote "succeed" instead of "secede," but the substance of the point (if substance is the right word), confirms last Saturday's post.

Fightin' Friday Music

Have a good weekend and get ready to start fighting for equality again on Monday.

Glasgow campaign releases financials

18th District Metro Council candidate David Glasgow has released his first batch of financials.

Also, last Friday we filed our first campaign financial statement with the Election Commission. The report covered cash and in-kind donations made before January 15. At that time we already had 35 donations totaling $5,168. Right now we have over $11,000 cash-on-hand for the next stage of the campaign, and we still have pledges out and are receiving contributions every day!

So there were a few scoffers when he announced $15,000 in pledges at the January kickoff. But the number is looking pretty good now. 35 donations by January 15 isn't too bad either, considering that the presidential race just ended and the English Only ballot measure was coming to its conclusion.

The email also indicates some upcoming events that will likely bring in more contributions.

Richardson introduces gender identity as sentencing enhancement factor for hate crimes

Rep. Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis) has filed HB 0335, which would add gender identity and expression as a hate crimes sentencing enhancement factor. Tennessee law currently includes sexual orientation. Given the vicious attacks on the transgender community in Memphis last year, this bill is a welcome signal. Although it faces an uphill climb, it should provide the occasion for more statewide discussion of hate crimes against transgender persons.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition is the lead organization in advocating the bill.

No clout

That's what Pete Kotz says over at the Nashville Scene about "gays" in Tennessee in his discussion of the proposed adoption ban legislation filed by Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Cordova). But before we get to that, let's give thanks.

First, I'm glad the Scene noticed the bill. I'm not surprised. They've consistently paid attention to GLBT issues. But I don't take it for granted because they don't have to cover these issues and lots of outlets won't even notice the ban until it comes time for a committee vote, if then. Second, I'm glad they're on our side. They don't pull any punches about nonsensical legislation like this. They're probably a lot more direct about these matters than even those of us at TEP are. Lobbying organizations, after all, are tempted to be too nice. So it's always a little gratifying when someone says aloud what you're thinking.

So what about this issue of gay clout in Tennessee? First, let's not lose the fact that while we're probably the most obvious group opposed to this legislation, it affects straight people too. It's about all couples cohabiting outside marriage. I don't think unmarried straight couples have much of a lobby in Tennessee, but I confess I haven't looked at every record at the Tennessee Ethics Commission. Maybe they should get one, though. Second, if this bill is defeated, child welfare clout and budget clout will come into play. Large numbers of children waiting to be adopted and the hefty fiscal note the bill carried last year should give everyone pause. Those two factors certainly were in play last year.

But let's deal with the issue of clout head on. Like just about anybody's clout, the Tennessee GLBT community's influence is regional and occasional. It's a political presence in the larger cities alongside several other interests. The results make the point. Other than the marriage amendment, no discriminatory legislation has passed the General Assembly since 2005. Lots of bills have been proposed, and you don't beat them without having a few friends. On the other hand, the influence required to pass positive state legislation is clearly lacking.

At the local level in Memphis and Nashville, it hasn't been hard finding candidates who seek and value our endorsement. In many ways, we've become just one among dozens of other interest groups that vet and support candidates. We're not king-makers, but we are a piece of the puzzle in some districts. The real test is the advancement of legislation. There are steady advances in Memphis and Nashville, but nothing concrete yet. I believe that if nondiscrimination ordinances pass in these two cities this year, you'll see a steady increase in our community's political activity around the State. Clout is something you build, but we're not starting from zero.