Nashville's non-discrimination ordinance is coming up for a 3rd and final reading by the Metro Council on September 15. The ordinance, which would ban discrimination on account of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" for Metro employees, has lots of support in the community. It reads:
It is unlawful for the metropolitan government to fail or refuse to hire or promote, or to discharge any individual, because of such individual’s race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability.
The Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT) and their friends over at Phyllis Schlafly's Eagle Forum are beating the bushes and sending out e-mails urging folks to show up at the September 15th council meeting and express opposition. FACT is a state chapter of James Dobson's Family Action Council. From their e-mail (some of it is here):
IT IS CRITICAL THAT CHRISTIANS AND BELIEVERS IN THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY SHOW UP ON THIS ISSUE! The church I mentioned created lapel stickers that had a red heart saying “God knows best” and “Vote No on BL-2009-502.” We will bring stickers on the 15th that have a simple stick figure of a man + a woman if you would like to wear one of those. We do not have the staff to call all the churches in Metro-Davidson County, so it is incumbent upon all of you to help us spread the word.
This is not the first time that Nashville has tried to join the 21st century by banning some of the discrimination against gays and lesbians. This time it looks like we are going to succeed, but one should never underestimate right-wingers. Sane people need to contact their Council members and also show up and make their support for the anti discrimination ordinance visible on September 15. For more info, see Tennessee Equality Project.
