Companies who want business in Nashville, Tenn., can't discriminate

The Nashville Metro Council has passed an ordinance requiring city contractors to have employment policies that forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

One of the bill's sponsors said the vote sent a signal that Nashville is a welcoming community, but detractors called it a "travesty" and worried it would unduly burden local businesses.

Tennessee lawmaker proposes "don't say gay" bill

For some strange reason it had to be, it was all a dream about Tennessee. Tennessee state lawmakers have proposed a bill that would ban discussion of homosexuality in elementary and middle schools, even though there is no human sexuality curriculum for those grades now.

HRC supports state groups in Delaware and Tennessee

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, and the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) are pleased to announce a renewed partnership to work towards equality in Tennessee.  HRC has provided a grant of $10,000 to TEP and will work closely with the organization to defeat negative legislation at the state level and pass pro-equality municipal measures.

Anti-LGBT legislation already introduced in the Tennessee legislature this year includes the “don’t say gay” bill (SB 49 / HB 229), which would prohibit honest and healthy conversations in Tennessee’s classrooms and further isolate vulnerable teens, and a bill (HB 331) to ban local governments from enacting stronger anti-discrimination provisions than those found in state law.

“We are pleased to forge a stronger partnership with Tennessee Equality Project and redouble our efforts in the Volunteer State,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “Working together, we can make the state a better place for all Tennesseans to live, work and raise families.”

“We are excited to be partnering with the Human Rights Campaign in a meaningful way,” said TEP Board President H.G. Stovall. “All Tennesseans deserve equal protection under the law, and we will strive to ensure our rights are protected and expanded.”

Billy Leslie, a member of HRC’s Board of Governors in Nashville, added, “On behalf of HRC volunteers and supporters who live in Tennessee, we are proud to support the smart and strategic work of the Tennessee Equality Project and look forward to our continued work together.”

Announcement of the grant comes as leaders from the Human Rights Campaign’s Nashville community prepare for this Saturday’s 16^th Annual HRC Nashville Dinner at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.  Information about the dinner is available at equalitydinner.com.  A limited number of tickets are still available.