Sexual orientation bias hate crimes up 18% from 2011 to 2012, according to TBI report

The annual Tennessee Bureau of Investigation hate crime report is out.  This report compiles data for hate crimes committed in 2012.  The results are disturbing.

First, the statistics still don't include information about crimes based on gender identity, crimes targeting transgender people.  The Tennessee hate crimes law includes sexual orientation, but it does not include gender identity.  However, the federal crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity.

Second, overall hate crimes for all bias-motivated offenses taken together (race, religion, sexuality, etc.) are up 70.4% from 2011 to 2012.

Third, bias-motivated hate crimes based on sexual orientation went from 39 in 2011 to 46 in 2012--an increase of almost 18%.

Here's the breakdown:

11 crimes targeting gay men
5 crimes targeting lesbians
25 crimes targeting gays and lesbians (and presumably bisexuals)
4 crimes targeting heterosexuals*
1 crime targeting bisexuals

*Yes, bias-motivated crimes can affect the majority community.  Sexual orientation is a general category.  Everyone has a sexual orientation.  It may surprise many people to see anti-straight hate crimes included, but I'm glad the information is part of the report because it shows that including the category of sexual orientation is really about making everyone safer, not just the minority communities, although that would be an important goal in itself.

As I noted, the results are very disturbing.  We all need to continue to address the rhetoric of bias around issues of race, ethnicity, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, disability, and gender identity in Tennessee. 

Call on Speaker Harwell to remove Rep. Kane from House Education Committee for telling bullied kids "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

 

During yesterday's House Education Subcommittee discussion of HB927, a great anti-bullying bill that was sent to the State Department of Education for study, Rep. Roger Kane made some of the most tone deaf comments about bullying imaginable.  In the discussion of bullied students, he said, "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

Well, Representative Kane, I guess you haven't heard that bullying does kill, specifically in Tennessee.  The cases of Jacob Rogers and Phillip Parker are well known throughout the country. 

"Rep. Kane's cavalier comments are deeply disturbing coming from a public official responsible for shaping school safety policies in Tennessee," said Jonathan Cole with the Tennessee Equality Project. "He's essentially saying that bullying is good for you because it toughens you up. Rep. Kane sends a terrible message to those Tennesseans who have forever lost a friend, a student, a son, or a daughter."

A person with Rep. Kane's lack of awareness and empathy has no place in the Legislature and certainly not on the House Education Subcommittee and full Committee.

Please, call Speaker of the House Beth Harwell at (615) 741-0709 or email her at speaker.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov and urge her to remove Rep. Kane from the House Education Committee. 

Only 11, Oak Ridge High GSA student talks about being bullied for being gay

A student who is a member of Oak Ridge High School's GSA has shared the following thoughts about being bullied for being gay via Beth Adler, the adviser for the club.  Please, take a moment to read it and consider what's going on in our schools and in our Legislature:

In nature humans think of themselves to survive.  In society they do it to elevate themselves to a superior level. Those mighty who travel in packs dictate who I am and don’t allow my true self to just be ... gay. The word is often hurled as an insult, beating me down. I feel sorry for someone who believes being different is wrong because they miss out on the enormous world of amazing people. They see gays and think “God wouldn’t approve” so they yell “FAGGOT!” as a put down. Not nearly enough people understand what it is like to feel ashamed of being yourself. They aren’t concerned with how it feels because all they think of is themselves. That needs to change.

My story is like many others. Words of hate like “girl shoes”, “gay”, and “faggot” fly as I enter a hostile classroom. It’s a constant flow of attempts to put me down. I.Won’t. Let. Them. They can laugh in my face, point at my boots, but they will never reach my soul. Believe in what you believe, keep your head up high, and don’t ever let them put you down is the phase which shields me from the sorrow. I know some of those people base their life on God, but If they left God for a bit to put themselves in my skin they might see through my eyes.

In America, we say we have freedom and are “God’s best friend,” why then does a good man have to hide himself? Why must he be afraid to say he is gay? Why should he hesitate to tell his “dark secret”? Why does he have to allow what he is to be used against him as a word of insult? As the people stand by, the government chooses to exclude those citizens whom they believe are disgraceful. Every individual inside and outside of the gay community can take the hand of a friend and stand up to this exclusion.

First, I have to say how completely sad this piece is and how brave and thoughtful the student is!  Second, thank goodness for GSAs. It's clear we need safe spaces in our schools for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students. Third, what are we doing in state public policy?  Why is Don't Say Gay going through so many iterations?  We need to move forward with the Dignity for All Students Act.  An 11-year-old can see.  Why can't we?

Media Release: TEP urges equality advocates to wear purple Tuesday at House Education Subcommittee meeting

March 18, 2013

Contact:          Chris Sanders            

                        (615) 390-5252                                  

                        chris@tnequalityproject.com                       

Tennessee Equality Project urging equality advocates to wear purple to House Education Subcommittee March 19 for hearings on 3 discriminatory bills and 1 anti-bullying bill

Nashville, TN—The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), a statewide organization advocating equal rights for Tennessee’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, is urging equality advocates to attend the House Education Subcommittee meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday to show opposition to three discriminatory bills and support for one anti-bullying bill.

The meeting takes place in HHR 30 in Legislative Plaza.  For more information about the event, go the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/485159184867426/ .

The Legislation

SB514/HB1185—This bill would allow students in counseling, psychology, and social work programs at Tennessee’s public universities to opt out of serving certain clients if they have a religious objection.  The examples cited by advocates for the bill and even mentioned during a recent Senate Education Committee hearing focus on opting out of serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.  The bill was approved by the full Senate on March 14.

SB234/HB1332—The new Don’t Say Gay bill, as written, includes provisions that would require school personnel to out students who come to them about issues of sexuality and gender.  If the proposed amendment is adopted, the bill would prohibit school personnel from counseling students on matters other than education and career unless they are certified in counseling or psychology.  They would have to make a referral to a certified professional, which would generate a contact with the student’s parents.  That would also have the effect of outing the student. 

SB1241/HB1150—The bill is a new version of legislation designed to punish Vanderbilt University for its inclusive all-comers non-discrimination policy for student clubs.  It threatens Vanderbilt with removal of its police force.  The harms to public safety embodied in the bill are obvious, as is the animus toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

SB1241/HB927—The Dignity for All Students Act would enhance the state’s anti-school bullying efforts by adding protections enumerating factors such as disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation since these factors are often the basis for bullying. 

For more information on the Tennessee Equality Project, go to http://www.tnequalityproject.org .

###

Media Release: Advancing Equality Day on the Hill

March 11, 2013                                                               

TEP’s 9^th annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill highlights clergy support, new fronts in the battle for equality in Tennessee

Nashville, TN—The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), a statewide organization advocating equal rights for Tennessee’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, will hold its 9^th annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill on Tuesday, March 12 in Nashville. 

This year’s events 

-feature a clergy prayer breakfast at Legislative Plaza and constituent meetings with 17 senators and 37 representatives followed by a press conference,

-highlight new fronts in the battle for equality in Tennessee,

-and are designed to address bills affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, which are up for key votes this week and the next. 

The Legislation

SB514/HB1185—This bill would allow students in counseling, psychology, and social work programs at Tennessee’s public universities to opt out of serving certain clients if they have a religious objection.  The examples cited by advocates for the bill and even mentioned during a recent Senate Education Committee hearing focus on opting out of serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.  The bill is set for a vote by the full Senate on Monday evening (March 11).

SB234/HB1332—The new Don’t Say Gay bill includes provisions that would require school personnel to out students who come to them about issues of sexuality and gender.  A recent MTSU poll showed that a clear majority of people in Tennessee oppose the bill.  Rep. John Ragan, the House sponsor, has received over 1400 emails and hundreds of phone calls urging him to withdraw the bill.  His legislative assistant has told citizens calling his office that the bill is being rewritten.  

SB1241/HB1150—The bill is a new version of legislation designed to punish Vanderbilt University for its inclusive all-comers non-discrimination policy for student clubs.  It threatens Vanderbilt with removal of its police force.  The harms to public safety embodied in the bill are obvious, as is the animus toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.  The bill is up in the House Education Subcommittee on March 12 and up in the Senate Education Committee on March 13.

SB1241/HB927—For the first time legislation has been introduced to enhance the state’s anti-school bullying efforts by adding protections enumerating factors such as disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation since these factors are often the basis for bullying.  The bill should be up in committee in the next two weeks.

The Events

TEP Foundation and Clergy for Justice Anti-Bullying Prayer Breakfast—The event takes place Tuesday, March 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Plaza cafeteria.  Clergy and other guests will hear presentations on school bullying issues to help them advocate for safe schools in Tennessee.

Constituent meetings with Legislators—Citizens from Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, Crossville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Maryville, and the Tri-Cities will meet with their senators and representatives throughout the day on March 12 to discuss bills important to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

Press conference—TEP will hold a press conference at 1:00 on March 12 at the top of the escalator in Legislative Plaza to discuss important legislation and to make public the Tennessee Human Rights Statement and the businesses, religious organizations, and community organizations that have endorsed it.  The Tennessee Human Rights Statement provides a stark contrast to the discriminatory legislation filed this session and shows the beginnings of a new inclusiveness emerging in Tennessee.  

For more information on the Tennessee Equality Project, go to http://www.tnequalityproject.org .

Contact us at chris@tnequalityproject.com .

###

Memphis Housing Authority expands protections to LGBT employees

MHA joins the list of organizations protecting
LGBT employees from discrimination.

Tennessee Equality Project is pleased to share news of expanded workplace protections for LGBT employees in Memphis. 

On Thursday, Feb. 28, the Board of Commissioners of the Memphis Housing Authority approved Resolution No. 4315 which amended the Section 1.03 on Equal Employment Opportunity in  the MHA Employee Handbook . The new verbiage added "..., genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation and gender identity."

Commissioner Ian L. Randolph confirmed the change to the employee handbook with Tennessee Equality Project on Friday. 

This action follows the addition of housing protections for LGBT consumers during the first administration of President Barack Obama in federally funded housing programs (most of MHA's funding comes from Federal Government).  Commissioner Randolph reported that the Memphis Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance enacted in October 2013 by the Memphis City Council influenced the decision to extend LGBT-inclusive workplace protections to MHA employees.

TEP applauds the leadership of the MHA Board of Commissioners. Let's continue to look for an equality ripple effect in Memphis and Shelby County. 

Renewing his License to Bully, Rep. John Ragan picks up House companion to Don't Say Gay bill

Rep. John Ragan of Anderson County filed the House companion bill (HB1332)  to Sen. Stacey Campfield's Don't Say Gay bill today. 

Rep. Ragan is well known for his condescending comments to citizens about last year's License to Bully bill, most famously to Kristin Johnson.  So few people who have been following these issues over the last year will be surprised that Rep. Ragan has signed on as the House sponsor.

Even though the Associated Press reported a few weeks ago that Governor Bill Haslam, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, and Speaker of the House Beth Harwell have all distanced themselves from the bill, Rep. Ragan is either oblivious to or indifferent to the bill's harm to children and to the image of the state.

TEP is urging citizens to call on Rep. Ragan to withdraw the House companion bill.  You can do so at this Change.org petition that sends a message to Rep. Ragan.  You may also call Rep. Ragan's office and leave a message asking him to withdraw the bill at 615-741-4400.  State your name and address and ask him to withdraw HB1332.

Let's preserve the confidential relationship of trust between counselors and students and not give in to this hateful bill that hurts real people and hurts the image of Tennessee.

TEP Supports Dignity for All Students Act

All students deserve to be treated
with dignity in Tennessee.

On Jan 31, Senator Jim Kyle of Shelby County filed a bill that would strengthen current anti-bullying policy by clearly identifying common factors that become the focus of bullying in schools:

"Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” also includes any written, verbal, or physical conduct that substantially interferes with a student's educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, and that is based, all or in part, on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, academic achievement, sexual orientation, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or physical appearance of either the student or a person with whom the student has an actual or perceived association. 

SB1124 also empowers school administrators, teachers and other school staff by defining the important role they play in preventing harassment, intimidation and bullying of students.

Lastly, local education authorities (LEAs), are encouraged to review anti-bullying policies at least once every three years and to share updates with the Commissioner of Education.

By expanding the definition of bullying, the Dignity for All Students Act will provide clear guidance to educators on prohibited forms of bullying. The proposed law will empower educators to define acceptable conduct, promote a safer environment for students at school and promote academic achievement.

We give thanks to bill sponsor Senator Jim Kyle for introducing this legislation. This model legislation provides an important contrast to previous bills proposed in the Tennessee legislature (License to Bully and Don't Say Gay) which sought to marginalize and ostracize certain students. We urge all Tennesseans to contact their lawmakers and urge their support of the Dignity for All Students Act.

- Jonathan Cole

Sen. Campfield refiles Don't Say Gay bill. Is it any better?

Sen. Stacey Campfield has refiled the infamous Don't Say Gay bill.  He calls SB234 the "Classroom Protection Act," although on the summary page it is called the "Child Protection Act."

Rally at the Capitol in 2012

Protect children and classrooms from what or whom?  That's the obvious question. 

The real answer is "the gays," of course.  The language in the bill indicates it's to protect children and classrooms from anything that is "inconsistent with natural human reproduction," which "shall be classified as inappropriate for the intended student audience and, therefore, shall be prohibited." 

The bill's language represents an effort by Sen. Campfield to respond to the objections that frequently arose over the last few years, viz., that it directly showed bias to any sexuality other than heterosexuality, that it had a chilling effect on children's conversations with teachers and counselors (we'll get to that in a minute), and that it paradoxically required the teaching of sex education and nothing but sex education in grades K-8. 

Sen. Campfield has attempted to take care of these objections with various clauses in the new bill.  But did he succeed?

Required Sex Ed:  I'll give him credit on one point.  He dealt with the last objection in the language of the new bill with his last clause:  "Nothing in this section shall be construed to require instruction relative to natural reproduction in grades pre-K though 8."  The amendment to the old bill seemed to require teaching sex education in these grades, which conflicted with existing policy.  He's dealt with that.  Fair enough.

Bias Persists:  But the bill still shows bias and animus to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people by labeling us "inconsistent with natural human reproduction" and "inappropriate for the intended student audience."  The purpose of the bill is clear--to erase our community in grades K-8. 

Counselors become informers:  What about the chilling effect on counseling when a student has personal questions of identity that need to be explored with care and discretion?  Here's where the bill may fool a lot of people. 

(c) LEA policies and procedures adopted pursuant to this section shall
not prohibit:
(1) Any instructor from answering in good faith any question or
series of questions, germane and material to the course, asked of the
instructor and initiated by a student or students enrolled in the course;
SB0234
001988
-2-
(2) A school counselor, nurse, principal or assistant principal from
counseling a student who is engaging in, or who may be at risk of
engaging in, behavior injurious to the physical or mental health and wellbeing
of the student or another person; provided, that wherever possible
such counseling shall be done in consultation with the student's parents
or legal guardians. Parents or legal guardians of students who receive
such counseling shall be notified as soon as practicable that such
counseling has occurred; or
(3) Any school counselor, nurse, principal or assistant principal
from responding appropriately to a student whose circumstances present
immediate and urgent safety issues involving human sexuality. Parents
or legal guardians of such students shall be notified as soon as
practicable of the circumstances requiring intervention; provided, notice
shall not be given to any parent or legal guardian if there is reasonable
cause to believe that the parent or legal guardian may be the perpetrator
or in any way responsible for sexual abuse of the student.

Sounds good, right?  Counselors can address these questions with students.  The bill doesn't prohibit the discussion. 

BUT...

...the bill actually seems to force counselors to become tattletales.  They have to inform the parents after counseling takes place.  That requirement will erode the trust between students and counselors and leave students without any confidential resource in a place where they might be enduring bullying or other issues related to their sexuality, gender, or other factors. 

Students and school personnel are not well served by this dangerous bill.

Germantown Athletic Club opens membership to LGBT families and couples

Tennessee Equality Project applauds a recent decision by the Germantown Athletic Club to open its membership to LGBT couples and families.

Over the weekend, a gay couple with children tried to apply for a family membership at the fitness club operated by the City of Germantown (suburb of Memphis). The GAC told the couple that "only a husband and wife could do a family membership." The club membership application stated:

The couple refused to accept the policy as the last word on the matter. GAC staff urged the couple to speak with the Membership Sales Advisor on Monday.

That's exactly what the couple did. After talking with the family and reviewing their policy, the GAC now defines a "family membership [as a] household membership which includes 2 adults living under the same roof, and the children in the household that one or both of those adults are legally responsible for. Couples membership will now become a joint membership for 2 people living in the same house that would like to join their facility."

The old application was removed from the GAC website at http://www.germantown-tn.gov/index.aspx?page=699 at about 4 PM on Monday, January 28. As of 9:30 AM on January 29, the new membership form now appears on the Germantown Athletic Club website. This may be the first time a Tennessee City has voluntarily changed its policy to be inclusive of LGBT families.

Raising your voice in the face of discrimination can bring positive change. The Germantown Athletic Club deserves praise for demonstrating a commitment to diversity, inclusion, equality and fairness.

Advocacy Academy Coordinator Position Available

Tennessee Equality Project is consulting with Friends for Life in Memphis on HIV/AIDS advocacy initiatives.  The position described below is currently open and there is potential for the part time position to become a full time position if fully funded. 

From: Gina Fortner
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 10:14 AM
To: Gina Fortner
Subject: Friends For Life - Part Time Positions Available - Advocacy Academy Coordinator 

Advocacy Academy Coordinator Position Overview

The Friends For Life Corporation Advocacy Academy Coordinator will coordinate the delivery of a regional HIV/AIDS advocacy network.  This project will include persons living with HIV/AIDS seeking to educate Memphis and Shelby County elected officials, policy makers and community members including leaders of the faith community about HIV/AIDS and the various needs that characterize people about the disease. Click here for full job description.

Contact Information and Procedure:


Mail, fax or e-mail application and resume along with a cover letter highlighting in detail skills and experience. Applications can be obtained at the FFL office or www.friendsforlifecorp.org/employment.

Email applications in Word or PDF only. Candidates will be selected for interviews on the basis of materials provided.  Not all candidates will necessarily receive an interview.  No telephone calls please. Deadline for applications is:  OPEN UNTIL FILLED, but priority will be given to those applications received by January 22, 2013.

Send application materials to:

Email:  gina.fortner@friendsforlifecorp.org
Mail:     Human Resources, Friends For Life, 43 N. Cleveland St., Memphis, TN 38104
Fax:       901-272-7458
*Position contingent upon continued grant funding- EEO/AA

TEP statement on Rocketown termination of Wes Breedwell for support of marriage equality

Earlier today (January 21), the Tennessee Equality Project released the following statement on the termination of Wes Breedwell, who was employed at music venue Rocketown in Nashville, for his support of marriage equality, as expressed in a shirt by the band Hostage Calm:

"TEP condemns this termination and stands in solidarity with the man who was fired for showing his support for our community. It reminds us that allies are in the front lines of the fight for equality."

The band released its own statement earlier this evening and you can find it here.

Whether Wes was fired for wearing the shirt to work (the shirt of a band that had played at Rocketown, by the way) or for liking a photo of the shirt as The Tennessean explores, he was terminated for being a straight ally for marriage equality.  

Rocketown probably has the legal right to terminate him, but that doesn't make it right or prudent.  In any diverse workplace, we will always encounter people with religious and political views that differ from our own.  Shouldn't the focus be on who can do the job?

Rocketown chose to act and they are now publicly branded as opposed to the aspirations for equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.  They chose to enter the fray and enter it on a day when President Barack Obama embraced those aspirations.  So while they have the legal right to their actions, the public will now exercise its rights to form judgments about the organization.  

*It is reasonable to ask whether Rocketown is a safe place for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth who desperately need safe spaces in Tennessee.  

*And it is reasonable to ask whether Rocketown is in step with a city that has made great strides in embracing diversity and creativity, factors vital to Nashville's brand as "Music City."   

We call on Rocketown to reverse its actions and make it clear that all are welcome at their music venue regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Fighting for our lives, our jobs, and safe schools: 2012 in review

2012 was a year without rest for Tennessee's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.  The fight was nonstop.

TEP celebrated some of 2012's highlights in September at Olympus

Fighting for our lives:  The year began with the news that Phillip Parker, a gay teenager from Middle TN, had taken his life after relentless bullying in school.  The news followed closely upon the story of Jacob Rogers who met a similar fate in December 2011.  These two deaths made discussion of the Don't Say Gay and the License to Bully bills in the Legislature even more poignant.  Other legislation came with threats.  Rep. Richard Floyd introduced the Police the Potty bill this year targeting transgender people.  His method of gaining support for the bill was to threaten to "stomp a mudhole" in transgender people who might happen to use a fitting room or restroom near one of his family members.  Fortunately cooler heads prevailed in the Senate and the bill went nowhere.  Another safety issue that caused concern in 2012 was the rise in hate crimes based on sexual orientation in Tennessee, as reported by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.  Too few of our neighbors in Tennessee failed to understand that the Chick-fil-A controversy was also a life and death matter for us.  Aided by the media, they lulled themselves into thinking it was a free speech/consumer choice issue.  For us, it was about the millions of dollars funneled by the company and its leaders to anti-equality organizations.  That's what the rallies in Clarksville and Memphis were about.

Fighting for our jobs:  2012 saw significant action on the employment non-discrimination front with Knoxville and Memphis both passing ordinances protecting their city government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  State Senator Jim Kyle and Rep. Brenda Gilmore sponsored a bill to reverse HB600 of 2011 to return to cities and counties the ability to apply their non-discrimination ordinances to contractors.  The bill failed in the Senate State and Local Government Committee, but Nashville Mayor Karl Dean endorsed the bill with a letter to the committee and Metro Nashville Councilman Anthony Davis spoke eloquently on behalf of the bill during the committee meeting.  With no progress at the state level, TEP with a host of cosponsors held rallies in Memphis, Cookeville, and Nashville in December to urge President Obama to sign an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  One of the oddest moments in the discussion of job discrimination in Tennessee involved a few county Republican parties criticizing Governor Bill Haslam for retaining or hiring gay and Muslim employees.  Despite the criticism, Governor Haslam stood by his employees. Our freedom to work is very much a contested issue in Tennessee.

Fighting for safe schools:  As I mentioned, we faced horrible legislation this year--the License to Bully bill and the Don't Say Gay bill. We were pleased that neither passed, but that result didn't come without significant work.  We lobbied, emailed, phoned, packed committee meetings, commented in the media, brought in Dennis Shepard, father of the late Matthew Shepard, to speak at a press conference at the Capitol.  One bright spot in the legislative matters related to education was Governor Haslam's veto of a bill that would have punished Vanderbilt University for its all comers non-discrimination policy for campus organizations.  The struggle for safe schools also took place in individual public school districts around the state.  A West TN principal told gay students they were going to Hell and then suddenly she wasn't the principal any longer.  Citizens of Cheatham County fought for safe schools reforms before their board of education.  Though the board didn't adopt their proposals or even give them a proper hearing, Sen. Bill Ketron did incorporate their suggestion for reporting the number of bullying incidents into his anti-bullying bill that passed this year.  Students around the state worked for Gay-Straight Alliances...without much success in many cases, I'm afraid. There remains much to do to protect students from bullying...and from our Legislature.

Cheers for the victories of 2012! They were monumental, but they didn't come without struggle, loss, and a lot of pain along the way.  A toast to all those who fought.  You made progress in a state where it practically counts as a miracle.

Here's to new opportunities to advance equality in 2013!

What happens when we discover the cause of sexual orientation?

The recent UT study which used mathematical modeling to show links between epi-markers on genes and sexual orientation led me to raise questions with Darrell Greene on Fox 13 in Memphis last night:


This new report revisits an old question: What causes sexual orientation? I personally side with nature over nurture as a cause along with many other gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Others claim they had a choice. This study also raises new questions:

• Whether sexual orientation is determined by genes or epi-markers on genes, what do we do when and if that question is settled?
• What would parents do, if their doctor tells them that an epi-marker test projected they will have a gay or lesbian child?
• What if we had the medical technology to ensure that certain epi-markers were "switched on" for a particular orientation?
• Would such knowledge lead to genetic engineering to eliminate homosexuality or bisexuality in newborns? 

After struggling with homophobia for many years, I finally came to the conclusion that a person's orientation is a morally neutral phenomenon. In my personal experience, I find being gay to be a gift. Being gay brings a perspective that enriches my life and career. I believe it would be wrong to terminate a pregnancy if parents learn that that unborn child will be gay, lesbian or bisexual. I also think it would be unethical to apply "treatments" to an unborn child that would ensure heterosexuality.

Our society needs to explore these matters more deeply before a cause for sexual orientation is known. We need an ethical framework for new discoveries that will have profound social and political consequences for gay, straight, lesbian and bisexual people. What do you think?

 - Jonathan Cole

Rallies for Equality: Roundup of the Coverage

Sarah Smith of Vanderbilt Lambda addresses the Nashville rally

Although we're still waiting for the Washington Blade piece, here's a roundup of some of the coverage of the Rallies for Equality that took place yesterday in Memphis, Cookeville, and Nashville:

Out & About Newspaper with story, photos, and video.

Tennessean piece with comments by Austin Peay State University GSA's Ryan Whipkey.

Fox17 coverage focused on safe schools issues in Tennessee and featured the comments of Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet High School student Gray Alexander. Now begins the waiting game to see whether the Don't Say Gay, License to Bully, and other negative education bills will be filed in the 108th General Assembly.

Barbara Stover, Darren Crawford, and Janet Moore in Cookeville (photo

 by R. G. Cravens)

Blurbs by WSMV and Newschannel5.

The TEP Shelby County Committee has posted photos from the Memphis rally on their Facebook page.  

Kal Dwight at the Memphis rally

To sign the petition urging President Obama to sign the executive order barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity among federal contractors, go to wh.gov/9ALQ .