City of Memphis employees and advocates support an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance

Memphis, TN, September 6, 2012 — Tennessee Equality Project joins a chorus of voices calling for equal opportunity in employment for City of Memphis job applicants and workers. Memphis City Councilman Lee Harris is sponsoring an employment non-discrimination ordinance which would expand current workplace protections to include age and disability.

A coalition of City of Memphis employees, employee associations, unions and community advocates supports expansion of the current ordinance to include age and disability as well as sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to ensure unbiased decisions for these non-merit factors in city employment. Coalition leaders believe that the ordinance must be amended at the third reading of the ordinance to include the above non-merit factors as prohibited forms of bias in the workplace. The Memphis City Council will vote on this ordinance on Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

Here’s what coalition leaders are saying:

"The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has led the way among unions demanding equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender workers," said Chad Johnson, Executive Director of AFSCME Local 1733. "AFSCME has long believed that employment decisions should be made on the basis of an individual's ability to perform a job. Workers should not live in fear of losing their jobs or being denied promotions because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age or disability.  AFSCME Local 1733 supports adding age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to the non-discrimination ordinance for the City of Memphis."

Memphis Police officers work in a department that reflects the diverse characteristics of race, ethnicity, religious belief, political affiliation, age, ability, and sexual orientation in the community they serve. According to Officer Michael Williams, “the Memphis Police Association supports an employment non-discrimination ordinance which reflects this diversity and protects city employees. We believe that officers who are protected from unfair employment discrimination on the job will do better at protecting the safety of all people in the community they serve.”

As a Lieutenant for the Memphis Fire Department with 18 years as firefighter, Gordon Ginsberg believes in treating the firefighters in his company fairly and equally on the job: "No one should have to fear losing their job or being passed over for advancement because of who they are. It's always about who can get the job done. Non-merits factors like race, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status should never play a part in employment decisions or workplace practices. I believe we Memphians need a clear specific ordinance for a few reasons. One, I believe it will help me execute my duties within the chain-of-command by underscoring the City of Memphis' commitment to our values. Another is to assure and reassure beyond any doubt that the rights of workers under my supervision will be protected. A third is to reinforce the seriousness among all employees of respecting workplace rights. I support an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance for City of Memphis employees.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) supported previous efforts to expand the list of non-merit factors in the City of Memphis non-discrimination ordinance. IBEW Local 474 Business Manager Paul Shaffer recently confirmed IBEW’s continued support for a comprehensive ordinance that includes age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

“Employment discrimination strips away the right of workers to be judged on their merits and abilities,” said Madeleine C. Taylor, Executive Director of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP. “Every American must be allowed to contribute to society without facing unfair discrimination on account of race, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our fight for social justice will continue until all can be protected in the work place. The NAACP supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance for the city of Memphis that includes the above factors to protect city workers. Other Tennessee cities have assumed their responsibility in protecting the rights of city

workers and Memphis should do the same.”

ADAPT of Tennessee is a chapter of National ADAPT, a grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.  Americans with disabilities have not enjoyed equal access to transportation, housing, and employment. Josue Rodriguez of ADAPT of Tennessee recognizes other marginalized groups in our society who have not enjoyed equal opportunity in Memphis: "ADAPT fully supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance that expands current protections for City of Memphis workers to include age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity."

The Shelby County Democratic Party has supported LGBT-inclusive initiatives for equality along with  President Barack Obama. Van Turner, Shelby County Democratic Party Chair, states that “the party wholeheartedly supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance for City of Memphis employees. Considering that Nashville, Knoxville and Oak Ridge have already enacted similar measures, Memphis must move swiftly to demonstrate our commitment to equality and inclusion for all.”

“The members of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center wholeheartedly support the passage of an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance for employees of the City of Memphis,” states Executive Director Jacob Flowers. “We know first-hand that workers suffer from discrimination in a variety of workplaces. It is important that our city show the way forward for other entities in our region by passing such an ordinance. Plus, it puts us on par with other municipalities in Tennessee that have passed similar laws to protect its workers. As elected representatives of the citizens of Memphis, it is our hope, that you would seek to lessen the chances of discrimination by any means, this is one simple step that can be taken.”

“Work is an essential part of who we are as Americans, as Mid-Southerners, and as human beings,” says Will Batts, Executive Director of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC). “It is no longer acceptable that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees must live in fear in their own workplace. Justice demands that each employee be judged simply by their ability to do the job. City government, especially, must lead the way in treating each of our citizens with the dignity, respect and fairness that we all deserve. MGLCC absolutely supports an inclusive employment non-discrimination ordinance that expands current protections for City of Memphis workers to include age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”

The Tennessee Equality Project joins the coalition of support for equal opportunity in the workplace and an inclusive non-discrimination ordinance for City of Memphis employees. It’s time for Memphis to join other cities of comparable size and larger as well as Tennessee cities like Nashville and Knoxville which already prohibit employment discrimination based on age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. TEP calls on the Memphis City Council to amend the current ordinance by including the above non-merits factors on Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2012.

CONTACT:

Jonathan Cole

Tennessee Equality Project

JMCole1970@gmail.com

901-301-3306

tnep.org

Who's really spreading hate and intolerance in Tennessee?

The Southern Nationalist Network recently named organisations in several Southern states which "create a climate of hatred and intolerance against White Southerners and Christians." SSN's purpose is to keep "track of the radical Left and groups that promote an anti-Southern, anti-White and/or anti-Christian agenda." These hateful and intolerant organizations are the Human Rights Campaign of Tennessee, the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center, the Nation of Islam, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Tennessee Equality Project.

While SSN provides no criteria for selecting these "hateful and intolerant" organizations, a quick visit to their website paints a picture of their worldview. Here are some snippets to save you the trouble:

• Southern Nationalist Network (SNN) was created in the Fall of 2010. Those associated with this website believe that the Southern people constitute a historic and truly national population which, like every nation of people, has a natural and unalienable right to self-determination. SNN advocates the peaceful establishment of Southern independence.

• [W]e believe in the right of secession. Therefore, no government is indivisible and permanent since the people always retain the right to alter, abolish or secede from it when they so decide.

• We demand a free South where Southerners may control their own affairs, independent from outside control or manipulation. We demand a free South where Southern identity and Southern peope [sic] may thrive.

Considering SSN's aspirations, it's hard to take them seriously. I mean, the Onion couldn't come up with a better parody. When I first visited their website, I thought for sure this was a prank. All of the organizations they've named represent minorities: lesbians, gay, bisexuals, transgender people, African Americans, and Muslims. Each group has been targeted in Tennessee with legislation or court actions that seek to limit their freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, safety in schools, equal opportunity in employment, and the right to vote. 
While I can't speak for other organizations, Tennessee Equality Project is a Southern organization that takes pride in Tennessee. We firmly believe that all residents of Tennessee deserve to be treated equally. Furthermore, TEP members and board members include Christians and White people (but we readily recognize a strong commitment to diversifying in that area). We regularly work with people of all faiths and ethnicity who value the freedoms and responsibilities established by the United States Constitution. 
I think that SSN doth protest too much. If SSN is looking for intolerance and hate in the South, their leaders should look no further than the space between their ears. 

- Jonathan Cole 

TEP Board member given wrong ballot in Shelby Co.

Michelle & Scott Bliss

By now you've probably heard that the Shelby County Election Commission's incompetence has led to thousands of voters casting early votes in wrong State House, State Senate and Congressional districts. Tennessee Equality Project Board member, Michelle Bliss and her husband received one of those wrong ballots today:

When I heard that David Holt had been given the wrong ballot (he is my neighbor) I went to the voteshelby website and checked my listed districts. I was listed in 93 last week. Today I went to vote and it is showing 98. I cancelled my ballot, as did my husband, and we are NOT AMUSED that we were somehow moved into a district that we are nowhere near the border of according to the state of Tennessee's maps.

Michelle and her husband were savvy enough to catch the error, but thousands of other voters in Shelby County are not so luck. Once a ballot is submitted, it cannot be changed.

Earlier today, I launched a petition calling for the resignation of the Shelby County Election Commission officials responsible for this election debacle. I invite you to participate in the petition at this link or by clicking the image below.  - Jonathan Cole

Change.org|Free Online Petitions

Don't Say Gay bill costs Rep. Joey Hensley Tennessean endorsement in primary

The Tennessean couldn't bring itself to endorse Rep. Joey Hensley in the Republican State Senate primary for District 28.  Instead, they went with Dean Dickey.  Rep. Hensley's sponsorship of the Don't Say Gay bill played a big role in the decision, according to the paper:

Hensley’s tenure in the House has been marred by his preoccupation with divisive, social legislation, notably his “Don’t Say Gay” bill, that is bad for this state and a distraction from matters that voters want legislators to deal with, such as the economy. The Tennessean endorses Dean Dickey in the Republican primary.

The endorsement may not make much difference in this right of center district, given The Tennessean's liberal reputation.  Still, it does provide more name recognition for Dickey outside his Columbia base.

Early voting in the primary continues today and tomorrow.  Election Day is August 2. 

Rep. Jeanne Richardson and out AR Rep. Kathy Webb to headline press conference on equality and choice issues Fri

Rep. Jeanne Richardson

Rep. Kathy Webb

Drawing attention to what is at stake in this year's legislative races in terms of equality and choice issues, Tennessee Rep. Jeanne Richardson, a candidate for the District 90 House seat, and out lesbian Rep. Kathy Webb of Arkansas will hold a press conference on Friday at 5:15 p.m. at the corner of Cooper and Young Streets in Memphis prior to a reception for Richardson. For more information on the event, see the Facebook event page.

Richardson is battling State Rep. John DeBerry for the seat.  The contrast couldn't be clearer when it comes to equality issues.  Richardson was a strong opponent of HB600, which stripped Nashville of its 2011 contractor non-discrimination ordinance and she has been the sponsor of bills that would add gender identity and expression to the state hate crimes statute and allow Tennessee residents to amend the gender designation on their birth certificates.  Her comments from the House floor debate on HB600 follow, as recorded by The City Paper:

Rep. Jeanne Richardson, D-Memphis, called the bill “anti-gay” and castigated Casada and the Republicans as deceitful for pretending it is about jobs.

“Discrimination against gay people about jobs is wrong. I personally strongly feel it’s wrong. … We want to say in our state to the gay community all over this state that it’s OK to discriminate on sexual identity and gender identification. That’s what we’re saying. Let’s all be honest in this room. Everybody sitting in here knows that’s what this is about. You know, representative,” Richardson told Casada.

“I think there’s nothing homogeneous about this bill. But I think there’s a lot that’s homophobic about this bill.”

Rep. John DeBerry, on the other hand, spoke out for the Don't Say Gay bill in the House Education Subcommittee this year before casting his vote for the bill, which ultimately failed to advance beyond the full House Education Committee.   His comments on the bill can be found here:

 .  Election Day is August 2. 

Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck would have no issue with gay teammate

I noticed the news of Hasselbeck's comments on a  Think Progress post linking to an Outsports story.  My first thought was, "What a welcome contrast to the fight we just faced in the Legislature and to some of the Republican county party resolutions that came out last week!"

Are you ready for some equality with that football?

It's a shame that the very thought of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the workplace should still be an issue, but it is for some people, even though working for a living and hiring the best person for the job should be old school conservative values. 

To be fair, Hasselbeck wasn't be directly political.  But the fact that he wasn't being political just highlights the contrast with those who are trying to demonize our presence in the workplace in the political sphere. 

Here's a sample from the Outsports piece:

“The quarterback room conversation was that, ‘Hey, has anybody played with an openly gay teammate?’ And nobody had,” Hasselbeck told Outsports. “And it’s kind of irrelevant to the discussion in terms of how we would view that person as a teammate or how we would view that person as a friend, or how we would trust that person.”

Hasselbeck, who showed a sharp wit and a great sense of humor in the interview, said the oft-cited issue of a gay teammate in the locker room did come up with the other Titans quarterbacks.

“The question did come up, well, what about in the shower? And those are tricky, delicate issues. But so are female reporters in the locker room. There’s rarely a clear, black and white answer on a lot of tricky issues. But I think, at least for the three quarterbacks in our room, it was kind of a shrug, yeah, so what?”

Compared to the kinds of bizarre conversations that have been popping up in Tennessee about minorities in the workplace, "yeah, so what?" is a welcome change.  Let's hope his comments open some eyes.

TEP to honor Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, Metro Nashville, Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center at Sept Olympus event

July 22, 2012

Contact:          Chris Sanders

                        (615) 390-5252

                        chris@tnequalityproject.com

Tennessee Equality Project to honor Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, Metro Nashville, and Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center at September Olympus event

Nashville, TN—The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), a statewide organization advocating equal rights for Tennessee’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, will honor Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, and the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center as Champions of Equality at Olympus, a benefit for TEP to be held at the Parthenon in Nashville on September 22 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Metro Nashville Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors will serve as honorary co-chair of TEP’s first gala event that celebrates the people and organizations helping to advance equality in Tennessee.  “The 107^th General Assembly presented significant challenges for our community, but we are still seeing important advances for equality in West, Middle, and East Tennessee. So we are bringing together all three grand divisions of our state to celebrate these champions of equality,” notes TEP president Chris Sanders.

The Honorees

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, who was elected in 2011, led the effort to pass a non-discrimination ordinance in April 2012 that protects Knoxville city government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and ethnicity.  Her efforts resulted in the first non-discrimination ordinance in Tennessee to pass unanimously.  She was also the first Mayor of Knoxville to speak at Knoxville Pridefest in June.

Celebrating its 50^th anniversary, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has adopted two inclusive non-discrimination ordinances—one in 2009 protecting Metro government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and another in 2011 protecting employees of Metro contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  The Metropolitan Council additionally passed resolutions honoring high school students protesting the Don’t Say Gay bill and a resolution urging the Metro Law Department to file an amicus brief in the court challenge to HB600, which overturned Metro’s 2011 contractor non-discrimination ordinance.  The administration of Mayor Karl Dean lobbied against HB600 and Mayor Dean urged the Senate State & Local Government Committee to repeal HB600 in March. 

The Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center was chartered in 1989 and provides vital programs and services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the Mid-South.  The organization partners with local agencies to provide free HIV testing and offers several support groups for the community, particularly for youth.  Among its most visible programs is the annual Outflix Film Festival that celebrates films presenting the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community in all its diversity.  The Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center consistently helps “build safer spaces within ourselves and in our community,” as their mission states.

Tickets for the event are $50 and tables are $500.  Sponsorships are also available.  Sponsors so far include Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Out & About Newspaper, and Inside Out Nashville.  For more information about ticket sales, sponsorships, and other event details go to http://www.OlympusTEP.org .

###

Attacks on the Governor's diverse hires could threaten economic development, says Williamson Co official

Last week's Republican county party attacks on Governor Bill Haslam for employing or retaining Muslims, gays, and Democrats are dividing Republicans in Williamson County, according to today's Tennessean.

Image from Equality Florida

What's more, a top economic development official in Williamson County, when pressed, admits he is worried these attacks on diversity could hurt the area's ability to attract companies seeking to relocate:

Matt Largen, director of Williamson County Economic Development, often works with the state office in which Ali is employed. He described it as “one of the most important relationships” his office has cultivated. That the dominant political party in his community is accusing an employee in that office of subverting the very economy she was hired to promote could become embarrassing, Largen said.

Moreover, employers looking to relocate here often have preconceived notions about the level of diversity in Tennessee, said Largen, and are anxious to see an inclusive community. Largen said he does not know whether these criticisms of the governor will hurt the county’s reputation, but acknowledged there is reason to be concerned.

Let's focus on one phrase:  "anxious to see an inclusive community."  Most of the larger companies have realized diversity and inclusion = good business.  Let's hope these extremist attacks don't get Tennessee off course.

Lt. Gov. appoints former legislator who tried to ban adoption by gays to judicial commission

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey announced the appointment of former State Representative Chris Clem to the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. 

As a legislator, Clem was quite the culture warrior, even trying to ban adoption by gays and lesbians.  And this was back in the day when they explicitly tried to pass an adoption ban.  There was no beating around the bush with language like "no unmarried individuals" in those days. 

According to Tom Humphrey's piece linked above:

"The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission reviews the performance of appellate judges using surveys, interviews and other information, as required by law. The Commission uses these evaluations to publish a report in which the Commission recommends appellate judges for retention or replacement. Of the nine members of the Commission, two are appointed by the Speaker of the Senate, two are appointed by the Speaker of the House and five are appointed by the Judicial Council.
Among the qualities the commission looks for in the judges are integrity, knowledge and understanding of the law, an ability to communicate, preparation and attentiveness, service to the profession, effectiveness in working with other judges and court personnel."

Let's hope the former representative's views have evolved or at least don't overly color his evaluation of judges.  Given the week we've had of county Republican parties complaining about gay state employees, this is not a good sign. 

Birthdays can be a drag

But they don't have to be.  Come join our Tri-Cities Committee Chair Joe Rhymer on his birthday for a TEP benefit show with Ms. New Beginnings Euereka O'Hara, Mr. New Beginnings Deshawn Blaize, AnnaTomical O'Hara and others! All show tips go to the fight for Equality in Tennessee! 


July 18 at 11:00 p.m. at New Beginnings Night Club in Johnson City located at 2901 Bristol Highway.


All show tips benefit TEP!

Find out more and RSVP at the Facebook event page.

TEP to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 15

Many thanks to Michael Hildebrand for his fabulous design work
for this year's TEP Ice Cream Social in Memphis.

Join us in celebration of equality and National Ice Cream Day as we serve up luscious ice cream realness at Kingsway Christian Church at 7887 Poplar Avenue in Germantown, Tennessee from 2 to 4 PM on July 15.

See more info about the Third Annual TEP Ice Cream Social here.

Richard Floyd vs. Basil Marceaux: Mudhole Stomper vs. Stopper of Traffic Stops

Republican voters in Hamilton County have an embarrassment of riches, er, um, something in the House District 27 primary.

Richard Floyd vs. Basil Marceaux, (.com?) Sr.

Previously obscure and rightly so, Rep. Floyd emerged onto the national stage after a harrowing experience of reading about a transgender person at a Macy's in Texas, which led him to put forth the police the potty bill.

Despite his new found fame, Floyd is no match on the national stage for Basil Marceaux, who vowed as a gubernatorial candidate to stop traffic stops.  You see, Mr. Marceaux has been on Jimmy Kimmel:

The victor of this bash of the Titans faces Democrat Frank Eaton of Hixson in November.

Early voting in the primary starts on Friday.  Find out more about early voting here.

When you vote, don't forget the Don't Say Gay bill

We've said it so many times, we can't keep track.  But it's worth saying again in yet another way.  This year's state legislative races matter.  Here's video from the February House Education Subcommittee debate on the Don't Say Gay bill.  Rep. Joey Hensley, the bill sponsor, is running for a State Senate seat this year against former Rep. Ty Cobb.  And Rep. John DeBerry, who spoke up for the Don't Say Gay bill, is running against Rep. Jeanne Richardson, for the House seat in District 90.  It matters who wins!

Early voting starts on Friday, July 13.  Make time on your calendar to exercise your rights!

And save the date for our Day of Action for a Better Legislature on October 27!  We ask you to give 2 volunteer hours at locations around the state to help good candidates.

Remembering what's at stake in state legislative races this year: HB600 debate

 

Video from the House Commerce Committee debate on HB600.

The discussions in this video make it clear what's at stake in this year's state legislative races.

Be sure to vote early in the primary coming up on Friday.

Fight back for equality at the ballot!

And sign up to take part in TEP PAC's Day of Action for a Better Legislature on October 27.

Leap of faith for safe schools in September

I have no idea what's going to happen in September when we launch Advancing Equality Month at the School Board. 

But I know we've got to do it.  I think of Phillip Parker in Smith County and Jacob Rogers in Cheatham County--young gay men who took their lives after being bullied at school.  I think of the students in Haywood County who heard their principal say that their gay peers are going to Hell.  The Monroe County student who was assaulted by his principal for wearing a pro-GSA shirt comes to mind.  And it's hard to forget the Lenoir City teacher who came under fire for allowing a student to publish a piece saying it's O.K. to be gay.  Don't get me started on the discriminatory school legislation at the state level this year.

Yes, we have a severe discrimination problem in many of our state's schools.  From students bullying each other to school leaders turning a blind eye or actually participating in the bullying, many Tennessee schools just aren't as safe as they should be. 

What's going to happen when citizens go before their school boards in September and call for safer schools?  I still don't know. 

Here's what could happen:

1.  Citizens will gain confidence in standing up for themselves like Kaelynn Malugin, Jeremy Rogers, and Mary Ann Bernicky did in Cheatham County.  That led citizens in Sumner County to try the same thing.

2.  The quantity and quality of public discourse about safe schools will rise in Tennessee.  The coverage of what happened in Cheatham County zig-zagged around the state.  Think of the potential of citizens throughout the state speaking up!

3.  You never know when it might have an impact on state legislation for the good.  One of the interesting things that happened in Cheatham County is the fact that it was noticed by state legislators.  State legislators asked about one of the proposals we made to require the school system to provide a monthly public report on bullying incidents.  While we didn't get the monthly report requirement, the state is going to require each school district to make an annual report on bullying incidents.  The numbers should be eye-opening and may lead to further solutions.

Our hope is that the conversations these citizens initiate will lead to discussions about concrete policy changes their school districts can make so that their schools will be safer. 

It's a gamble we ought to take.

RISE UP: Push harder for equality in Tennessee

Much has changed since I was last president of TEP. New times call for a more aggressive approach to protect and advance equal rights in our state. It's in that spirit that I share these thoughts with you.

 

Starting with Local Governments 

We will be in touch with county and city leaders throughout Tennessee informing them of existing rights and protections held by our community and advising them to do more to extend protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in their jurisdictions.

Additionally, we are currently at work on plans to advance non-discrimination ordinances for municipal employees in all three grand divisions of Tennessee. Most notably, we have some unfinished business in Memphis and our Shelby County Committee will lead the way.

September is Advancing Equality Month at the School Board across Tennessee

Outrageous mistreatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied students has occurred countless times in Tennessee public schools in the last twelve months-principals harassing students for wearing pro-GSA shirts, a principal telling gay students they are going to Hell, students bullied to the point that it is a contributing factor in them taking their own lives, and the list goes on. We ask citizens across the state to appear at their local school board meetings in September to speak out for GSAs and inclusive non-discrimination policies during the open forum time on the agenda. Citizens in Cheatham County and Sumner County have led the way in this effort. We have provided links to their videos here. If you are interested in appearing before your school board, let us know at chris@tnequalityproject.com and we will help you with talking points for your remarks. We have to open the conversation in school districts throughout our state and we can only do that with your help. We owe it to the students of Tennessee.

October 27 Day of Action for a Better Legislature

The 107th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee was the worst in decades. The attacks were demeaning and constant. We have to help good candidates win. October 27 is a Day of Action for a Better Legislature. We are recruiting volunteers for TEP PAC who will help good candidates in important races for 2 hours that day. We will meet in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Cookeville, Nashville, Jackson, and Memphis to get our assignments, pair up, and get to work.  Find out more here.

Results Matter

This plan's purpose is to yield more non-discrimination ordinances to protect our employment, better policies and structures to protect our youth, and better lawmakers to help us stop attack legislation. In our view this is a viable, possibility-laden plan for Tennessee.  

It depends on you! Equality will not drop out of the sky or leak over from some other state. It's up to us to make it happen. There are volunteer opportunities for people in every part of Tennessee in this plan. 

Rise up and advance equal rights in Tennessee! 

Chris Sanders

Chairman of the Board and President

 

Why not? A look at marriage equality in Tennessee

Why not? A look at marriage equality in Tennessee

By Brandon Hutchison, President, TEP Foundation          

The endorsements of marriage equality by President Barack Obama and the NAACP as well as the setback in North Carolina have brought marriage equality back into focus.  A short film released this spring by MTSU professor Dr. Bob Pondillo, The Miracles On Honey Bee Hill, also has raised the question, “What are we doing to achieve marriage equality in Tennessee?”  To answer that question, we need a little background to explain the state of marriage equality in Tennessee.

Tennessee’s constitution, similar to that of North Carolina’s (recently amended) and 28 other states, specifically defines marriage as only between one man and one woman.  Narrowly defining marriage to heterosexual unions in our state’s constitution was achieved through a lengthy process that culminated in an 81% approval by the voters in November 2006.  No state, county or local government agency can recognize, perform, or codify into law a marriage between two people of the same gender--period.  Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) was founded in response to the start of the constitutional amendment process to define marriage and waged its largest campaign to date to defeat the amendment at the ballot.  Despite these efforts 81% of voters approved of defining marriage as only a heterosexual union in our state’s constitution.  

Are we giving up?  Is that the end of the story?  

The simple answer is “No”.  The broader answer includes understanding that a direct attempt to amend the constitution is unlikely in the near term.  TEP and TEP Foundation will continue to strive for full relationship recognition equality.  However, reality dictates we must respond to the many immediate challenges to the safety, security and basic dignity of LGBT persons in Tennessee.  We must focus our efforts and our resources to safeguard our youth, protect the rights we currently have, and expand our rights where we can.  In the past six years since the constitution was changed to narrowly define marriage, we have faced daunting attacks through legislation including: bills that would limit a school teacher or staff’s ability to curb anti-LGBTQ bullying, protect hateful, bullying speech in our schools under the guise of protecting religious freedom, require transgender persons to use a public restroom opposite their gender expression, outlaw civil unions or domestic partnership recognition, strip away the ability of an LGBT person to legally adopt, and many more.   Last year, Tennessee became the first state in the nation to pass a law that removes a local government’s ability to require private businesses to not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.  Tennessee is also the only state that by law does not allow a transgender person to change his/ her sex on a birth certificate.  My point is, there are many immediate challenges that must be confronted.  

Does that mean we don’t care about marriage equality?

Quite the opposite is true.  We want marriage equality in Tennessee as LGBT persons deserve the full benefits and dignity it conveys.  We also want our youth to stop choosing suicide as an alternative to being bullied at school and for workers to be able to work without fear of LGBT-biased discrimination.  In short, we want to maintain and expand upon the basic level of safety, security and dignity LGBT persons currently have in Tennessee.  In our near future, those are the tangible areas where we can make a real difference and we can do it in the short term.  Marriage equality, because of the amendment to the constitution, is a long term proposition.

What would it take to achieve full marriage equality in Tennessee?

If we concentrated all our efforts and resources on securing marriage equality in Tennessee today, the earliest opportunity to do so through Tennessee’s constitutional amendment process would be November of 2016.  The only legislative way to do so in less than 4 ½ years would be to call a constitutional convention for the purpose of redefining marriage.  Even if we could manage to get a majority of Tennessee voters to support marriage equality, the cost of holding a constitutional convention would be discouraging enough to eliminate the majority needed to vote to hold such convention.  In addition, the cost of a 4 ½ year fight would likely require $4-6 million to offer a real chance of success.  (Those opposed to the amendment in North Carolina spent $3 million and outspent the competition 2-to-1.  On election day, they were able to convince only 39% of the population to vote to oppose an amendment which broadly restricted any relationship recognition, including marriage, to a heterosexual union.)  Tennessee does not have a record of financially supporting pro-LGBT causes with that kind of investment.   I firmly believe if TEP and TEP Foundation could achieve financial support over the next 5 years of just one third of that amount, Tennessee would likely see full employment, housing and public accommodations protections and comprehensive anti-bullying legislation.  Knowing this, I personally could not vote as a board member in favor of pursuing the single victory outcome of marriage equality with an under-funded effort when we could seize the opportunity to directly improve the dignity, safety and security of every LGBT person in Tennessee.

Will Tennessee ever achieve equality in our marriage laws?  

Yes, we will.  And whether that is achieved by amending our constitution once again or by a successful court challenge to invalidate the current language in our state’s constitution, TEP and TEP Foundation will play a determined role in the effort.  Until public will shifts more determinately toward demanding marriage equality, we will act responsibly to pursue every avenue to achieve an equal level of safety, security and dignity for all Tennesseans regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.  And TEP Foundation will partner with people, like Dr. Pondillo, who has used his unique talent and skill to produce a thought provoking short film in favor of marriage equality. (Check it out www.miraclesonhoneybeehill.com.)  This will keep momentum on our side and the public will shifting toward marriage equality.  

Upper Cumberland Pride brings celebratory end to the 107th Tennessee General Assembly

"Your eyes don't deceive you. That's a pride celebration in Cookeville, TN with lots of people." said  Nashville Committee Chair Chris Sanders who reposted this picture on Facebook on Saturday. At least one observer from Cookeville beleieved that as many as 1000 people attended the event over the course of the day. 

The Upper Cumberland Committee provided an absolutely amazing LGBT Pride celebration in Cookeville, Tennessee on Saturday - a perfect end to a week of victories and positive news for LGBT people, their families and their allies in Tennessee. Upper Cumberland Pride which was sponsored by TEP Foundation also brought an inspiring end to the legislative session. Traveling back and forth on the road to Cookeville from my home in Memphis gave me some time to reflect on Tennessee Equality Project's efforts to advance and protect the rights of LGBT people and their families in state government. I'm pleased to share that with few exceptions we've done well for Tennessee during the last 5 months of the legislative session

Several members of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly promoted legislation with a far-right social agenda that attacked LGBT people and contradicted conservative ideals of smaller government. Much of that legislation focused "below the belt."

Police the Potty Bill Flushed!

The session began with the "Police the Potty" bill (HB2279) which would have criminalized the use of public restrooms and dressing rooms by transgender people. Rep. Richard Floyd threatened to "stomp a mudhole" through any transgender person he found in a restroom. Public pressure compelled the Senate sponsor to withdraw his version of the bill (SB2282). I can’t remember a lawmaker having this much concern about what’s happening in the stall next to him since Idaho Senator Larry Craig’s infamous troubles in a Minneapolis Airport men’s room. Tennessee Equality Project quickly responded against this bill along with Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition and other allies. No other Senator was willing to file a companion bill, so the legislation could not advance. The death of this bill was our first victory of the session but other lawmakers continued to obsess over what happens below the belt until the end of the session.

It's Still Okay to Say GAY! in Tennessee

Two bills with a rather prurient interest in sex education in public schools advanced this session, but only one passed both houses of the legislature. The "No Hand Holding" bill (HB3621/SB3310) which prohibited the teaching of something called "gateway sexual activity" in public education sought to leave Tennessee's youth with no information about how to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases should they become sexually active. By shifting the emphasis of sex education to "abstinence only," students and parents will now have to go outside public schools for accurate information about vital, life-saving strategies for good health. Tennessee parents deserve more sex education options to choose from in public schools for their children. While the "No Hand Holding" bill became law, other efforts to redefine sex education failed. 

Stacey Campfield's "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB0229/SB0049) passed in the Senate last year and re-appeared on the agenda in the State House this year. In its amended form, the bill would have banned "classroom instruction, course materials or other informational resources that are inconsistent with natural human reproduction" in grades K-8. Tennessee Equality Project fought hard against this bill with a multi-pronged approach that included professional lobbying, mass media, and YouTube videos made by students, parents and educators, visits with lawmakers, attendance at House committee hearings, phone calls, emails, and letters. Our lobbying strategy significantly reduced lawmakers' desire to vote on this bill. But they were also affected, as we all were, by the news of two gay students in Tennessee who completed suicided after enduring anti-gay bullying in school. Many conservative lawmakers began to realize that marginalizing LGBT students with anti-gay and anti-trans legislation would only increase the incidence of bullying in public schools. 

Despite opposition from Governor Bill Haslam, House Speaker Beth Harwell and other House leadership, Rep. Joey Hensley (HB0229's sponsor) continued to push his bill forward in the House. HB0229 advanced with close margins in the House Education Subcommittee and House Education Committee before landing in the House Calendar and Rules Committee. Lawmakers who wanted no part in voting on this legislation never scheduled HB0229 for a floor vote before the House of Representatives adjourned for the year. This victory was hard to win and would not have been possible without the efforts of people like you.

Special Rights for Bullies Defeated!

Many of our supporters will recall the  "License to Bully" bill that appeared early in the session with the full backing of Family Action Council of Tennessee. David Fowler sought to write special protections into state law for students who harassed, intimidated or bullied fellow students based on their "expression of religious, philosophical, or political views." Early in the session, Tennessee Equality Project observed that lawmakers were attempting to place students in double jeopardy with the License to Bully and Don't Say Gay bills. "Students with an anti-gay bias would be free and encouraged to bully LGBTQ students, and teachers and other school staff would be prohibited from speaking about the issue."  The same TEP lobbying strategy used against the Don't Say Gay bill helped keep the License to Bully bill from advancing in the legislature.  Another victory for safe schools and equality in Tennessee!

Gay-Straight Alliances are Here to Stay in Tennessee

Tennessee Equality Project can also declare a victory in protecting the status of Gay-Straight Alliances in public schools throughout the state. In a past legislative session, Sen. Stacey Campfield targeted GSAs by introducing a bill requiring all students to obtain permission to participate in school clubs and activities. The bill would have placed many LGBT or questioning students at risk by forcing them to "come out" to their parents before participating in their school's Gay-Straight Alliance. Schools faced a potential nightmare in trying to manage all the permission slips for students participating in Spanish Club, the Thespian Society, the football team, cheer leading squad. etc. Tennessee Equality Project intervened by persuading the House sponsor to amend the language of the bill (HB2548/SB2488). Rather than require parents to "opt in" their children for school activities and clubs, the bill would give parents the opportunity to "opt out" their children from participating in school activities and clubs. The bill which passed into law essentially maintains the status quo by reinforcing the right of parents to balance their children's extracurricular activities with academic achievement.

Governor Bill Haslam Stands Up to Bullies in His Own Party

We can declare another victory with an education bill vetoed by Governor Bill Haslam. Your calls to the Governor helped give him the extra push he needed. The Governor announced last Wednesday that he would veto the "Anti-All Comers" bill that targeted Vanderbilt University's inclusive non-discrimination policy:

Although I disagree with Vanderbilt’s policy, as someone who strongly believes in limited government, I think it is inappropriate for government to mandate the policies of a private institution.

Supporters of the bill feared that Christian student organizations might elect someone into a leadership position who didn't hold the same beliefs as their group (e.g., LGBT people, Muslims, Jews, atheists, etc.). In reality, Haslam had to veto the amended form of HB3576/SB3597. Last year, he signed HB600/SB632 into law which forbade local governments from enacting laws which extended nondiscrimination provisions to private businesses that exceeded protections defined in state or federal law. The bill overturned a Nashville ordinance protecting LGBT employees of private contractors doing business with local government. Signing HB3576/SB3597 into law would have been a clear argument that Tennessee State Government was not concerned with preventing government interference in private business. Haslam really had no choice but to veto this bill in order to maintain the facade that the his party is the protector of private business' ability to make their own policies.

While Haslam can claim a consistent political philosophy, David Fowler and the Family Action Council of Tennessee cannot. Isn't it interesting that Family Action Council of Tennessee pushed the state legislature to enact HB600/SB632 with a pro-business argument, but pushed HB3576/SB3597 with a pro-religious arguments? With these two bills and the License to Bully bill (HB2548/SB2488), FACT tried to create special rights to discriminate against LGBT for people of faith. We can expect FACT to keep trying this "pro-business" approach in the 108th Tennessee General Assembly.

Knoxville Sends a Clear Message to Stacey Campfield

The prize for most inspiring good news last week goes to the City of Knoxville for enacting an ordinance protecting city employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or disability (characteristics missing from the previous law on the books). Senator Stacey Campfield can't get a break. His Don't Say Gay bill lost, he can't find a restaurant that will serve him in his home town, and he won't find anyone in Knoxville City Government who agrees with his bigotry toward LGBT people (The Knoxville City Council enacted the nondiscrimination ordinance with a unanimous vote). Time to take a hint Senator.

Tennesseans Value Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The movement for equality and inclusion of LGBT people and their families is gaining ground in Tennessee. It's hard to realize sometimes when you consider the forces of opposition inside and outside our current government. I am persuaded that Tennesseans in the not-so-distant future will look back on the 107th General Assembly and shake their heads in wonderment. "What were they thinking?" they'll ask.

I am confident in my optimism after attending last Saturday's pride event in Cookeville.  Knowing the organizers of the Upper Cumberland Committee as I do, I fully expected to see a good turnout at Dogwood Park for Upper Cumberland Pride. What I encountered was a groundswell of people hungry for change in the rural Upper Cumberland Region of our state. Equality, diversity and inclusion aren't just big city values; they are Tennessee values that are here to stay.

- Jonathan Cole

Nashville's Dean says that social legislation affects the business climate

In an interview with The City Paper, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean noted that when businesses consider Nashville, they sometimes have concerns about the social legislation coming from the Tennessee General Assembly.  He contrasts that socially conservative agenda at the state level with the commitment to non-discrimination in Metro Nashville:

You mentioned fielding calls from other cities and people checking out Nashville and how hot it is. When you’re fielding those calls, do you ever hear, “Gee, we’d love to come down, all this social agenda legislation is worrying us.” Do they ever say, “What the hell is going on with the legislature in Tennessee?”
Dean: I won’t mention names, I’m not really at liberty to mention it, but there have been companies who have actually come here who have heard about some of the social legislation and expressed concern. My position has always been, particularly in the area of nondiscrimination, that that absolutely shoots us in the foot. Particularly if you’re a cultural city and an artistic city and a university city. I think Nashville stands on its own. I think people look at Nashville and know that it’s different. Cities have to be friendly, which we are. Cities have to be inclusive, which I think we are, and we try to get more and more inclusive. That’s the way government in cities should operate. But I have heard it. The business [in question] came.

I wonder whether the business-friendly Legislature will get the message.  More correctly, I wonder what it will take for the Legislature to get the message that restrictive social legislation is unattractive for business growth and development.  To give credit, some legislators from both parties do, but not nearly enough.

Until the Legislature gets the message, it will be important for more cities to pass inclusive non-discrimination ordinances like Knoxville and Metro Nashville.  But at some point, we need a fundamental change at the state level.  Corporations are going to have to add their voices to the national media and equality advocates in Tennessee if that is going to take place.  Let's hope it does.

-Chris Sanders

Thanks Speaker Harwell, Rep. Maggart and Gov. Haslam

House Speaker Beth Harwell, Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Debra Maggart and Governor Bill Haslam

Tennessee Equality Project was one of the last organizations to formally declare the defeat of the Don't Say Gay bill (HB0229/SB0049). After fighting many bills in the legislature over the years, we've learned that anything can happen in the last days of the legislative session - especially when the rules of the House or Senate are suspended to facilitate the legislative process. Until a motion to adjourn is approved and the final gavel is heard, every bill is technically still alive.

We've fought the Don't Say Gay bill for six long years. This year, the bill met its surest defeat in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly. After enduring years of negative media attention, the ire of constituents and the sobering incidents of two gay Tennessee students completing suicide after being bullied, no sensible person wanted to see this legislation advance. We also realize that Senate sponsor Stacey Campfield or House sponsor Joey Hensley could reintroduce the bill when the 108th Tennessee General Assembly convenes. We will be ready if they do.

In yesterday's message to our supporters, we thanked many people for their vigilance in opposing this anti-LGBT legislation. But also owe thanks to three leaders in State Government who took a stand against extremism in their own party.

We give special thanks House Speaker Beth Harwell, Republican House Caucus Chair Rep. Debra Maggart and Governor Bill Haslam. Each of these individuals did their part in preventing a mean-spirited bill from marginalizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and families in Tennessee schools.

Take a moment to send a thank you note to these leaders. Without them, we would not have defeated this bill.

Speaker.Beth.Harwell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.Debra.Maggart@capitol.tn.gov

Bill.Haslam@tn.gov