Memphis Gay Rights March

The Memphis LGBT community held a March for Gay Rights today.  More than 200 people participated in the march from the Civil Rights Museum to City Hall to rally for LGBT equality and to call upon the Memphis city council to approve a non-discrimination ordinance that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  The City Council failed to pass a resolution earlier this year.

Commercial Appeal: Memphis Gay Lesbian Rallies at City Hall To Support Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

WMCTV: Hundreds Rally For Gay Rights (With Video)

Eyewitness News:  Gay Rights Supporters Walk for Equality in Memphis (with Video)

Memphis Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Withdrawn

Sad day in Memphis when a weak ordinance that would only have protected LGBT people from discrimination in city employment had to be withdraw because of opposition from Memphis religious groups and lack of support in the city council.

Memphis Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Withdrawn

From the Commercial Appeal:

The Tennessee Equality Project and City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove on Tuesday morning withdrew the proposed ordinance, designed to prevent the city from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring or promotion of employees. An accompanying resolution would have included the ordinance's language in city contracts.

Fullilove and TEP members said it was clear the ordinance, which was scheduled for the second of three readings Tuesday afternoon, lacked support from the 13-member council and Wharton's administration.

Michelle Bliss, vice chairwoman of the Shelby County committee of the TEP, said council members were making decisions based on "fear and prejudice."
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No wonder gay people flee Memphis...

Memphis Non-Discrimination Ordinance Passes First Vote

From Memphis Daily News:

Tuesday Memphis City Council
•Approved a non discrimination ordinance on the first of three readings after the item was removed from the council’s consent agenda. Items up for first reading are usually approved en masse with one vote. Council member Barbara Swearengen Ware wanted the item removed, saying it had not been approved in committee. There was no recommendation in committee and committee recommendations cannot stop an item from being considered by the full council even if there is a negative recommendation. An attempt to water down the ordinance on first reading was also voted down by the council.

A separate resolution that would prohibit companies doing business with the City of Memphis was tabled after some concerns were raised about the scope of the resolution.

Memphis Flyer: Non-Discrimination Ordinance Placed on Hold Note: the Resolution, NOT the Ordinance, was placed on hold--there is some confusion between the two in the media.

Commercial Appeal: Resolution to include Anti-Discrimination in City Contracts Tabled

Memphis Socialist Party Statement on Memphis ND Ordinance

Memphis Churches Oppose Non-Discrimination Ordinance

It's unbelievable that a city the size of Memphis, Tennessee, with its historical role in the civil rights movement, would be one of the few major U.S. cities that does NOT protect gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people from discrimination.

I began work on a city non-discrimination back in 1996 as co-chair of the Memphis Lesbian & Gay Coalition for Justice. We had the support of then Mayor Willie Herenton and a few city council members, but the ordinance was stalled for years. (Herenton is now running for the U.S. House of Representatives against Steve Cohen by opposing gay marriage and pandering to anti-gay black pastors and churches!)

Now the Tennessee Equality Project has revived the city non-discrimination ordinance and it is finally being introduced to the Memphis City council by council member Janis Fullilove.

As expected, the anti-gay churches, led by conservative mega-church Bellevue Baptist Church are opposing the ordinance, claiming that the ordinance would somehow discriminate against Christians and churches.

The ordinance was presented for the first time today, and will be up for several readings and more debate and discussion in coming weeks.

If you live in Memphis, TAKE ACTION now to contact the Memphis City Council and urge them to support the ordinance.

Memphis Gaydar: Council Members Offer Mixed Opinions on Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Churches Say Non-Discrimination Ordinance is Dangerous

Non-Discrimination Ordinance Heats Up City Council Meeting

Grand Divisions: Misconceptions in Memphis

Commercial Appeal: Ordinance Banning Sexual Orientation Discrimination Goes to full City Council

Former Memphis Mayor Herenton (Now) Opposes Gay Rights

Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton was once a supporter of gay rights. I meet with him in 1997 as chair of the Memphis Lesbian & Gay Coalition for Justice and he expressed his strong support for gay and lesbian rights, and endorsed a city non-discrimination ordinance that would include sexual orientation. In 2000 he appeared with Judy Shepard at an event on Hate Crimes and proclaimed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Day. Throughout the rest of his tenure as mayor he expressed support of LGBT civil rights to the Tennessee Equality Project...

But now that he is running for Congress, challenging liberal Rep. Steve Cohen for the TN09 seat in the House of Representatives (formerly held by Harold Ford Jr.), Herenton is now proclaiming his opposition to gay marriage as one reason for African-American pastors and churches to support him!

In a letter addressed to pastors, former Memphis mayor Willie Herenton tipped his hand on several policy positions.

"As pastors, I hope you will join me in my opposition to same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana," Herenton wrote in a letter dated March 1.

"Also, please join me in the fight to keep jobs in America. Our citizens need jobs."

The two-page letter was presented Tuesday at the regular weekly meeting of the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association.

Commercial Appeal, Herenton Signals Opposition to Gay Marriage, Legalized Marijuana

Memphis Flyer, Herenton Opposes Gay Marriage (and Pot)

Mid-South Gay Pride

June is "Gay Pride Month" in most places, we celebrate Mid-South Pride Today in Memphis.

UPDATE: Here Are are some Pics from Mid-South Pride 2009

It was HOT! (Can we move Gay Pride in Memphis to November?)

Shelby Co. (Memphis) Non-Discrimination Ordinance

About 500 people gathered Sunday at First Congregational Church to rally in support of a proposed ordinance to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination.


The ordinance goes to a vote today before the Shelby County Commission. The results from an early vote Thursday were 5-5 with abstentions from Democrats Sidney Chism and James M. Harvey. Speakers at the rally called the two out by name in hopes for a change in their favor today.

Supporters Come Out to Support Gay Rights Ordinance

Bianca has more on Memphis Gaydar: Non-Discrimination Support Rally Draws 500

UPDATE: Watered-Down Non-Discrimination Resolution Passed by Shelby Co. Commission

I'm not sure why people are cheering this resolution--it was a resolution, not an ordinance, and cannot be used in court. It basically restates the Shelby Co. handbook! All because a couple of commissioners did not want to give "special rights" to LGBT people or spell out "sexual orientation" or "gender identity".

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Letter from the Editor (Memphis Flyer): Bible Thumping Politics in Memphis

"There's Nothing Wrong With Discrimination," Shelby Co. Commission Committee Votes Down Discrimination Ordinance

MEMPHIS FLYER
Discrimination Protections for Gays Voted Down in County Commission Committee
POSTED BY BIANCA PHILLIPS ON WED, MAY 27, 2009 AT 3:56 PM

"There's nothing wrong with discrimination," said Shelby County Commissioner Wyatt Bunker, while addressing the county commission committee charged with a vote on an ordinance that would prevent discrimination toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender workers in Shelby County government.
Though audible gasps from the audience followed Bunker's statement, five other commissioners apparently agreed, as they voted down the ordinance in committee. The ordinance will still go to the full commission for a vote on Monday.

The original ordinance, proposed by commissioner Steve Mulroy, would protect Shelby County employees, workers with county contractors, and employees of large private businesses in unincorporated Shelby County.

Commissioners Deidre Malone and J.W. Gibson proposed an amendment to the ordinance removing protections for all but Shelby County government employees.

"We need to get our own house in order before we can start regulating other people," said Malone.

Gibson also had concerns about the cost of enforcing the ordinance, if passed.

"This will require time and more people," Gibson said.

But Mulroy disagreed, stating that no additional investigators would be needed in the county's human resources office.

"It's not like we're going to have investigators roving the hallways looking for discrimination problems," Mulroy said. "The [Equal Opportunity Employment] Commission investigates based on complaints, just like they already do with other issues of discrimination."

Religious convictions guided the votes of several commissioners, including Mike Carpenter and Bunker. Bunker blamed the ordinance on a "homosexual agenda" and compared protections for gays to "the seven deadly sins."

"Once [homosexuals] get their foot in the door, they push their way through society until [homosexuality] becomes the norm," said Bunker.

Supporters and opposition for the ordinance filled the committee meeting room. Brad Watkins with the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center pleaded with commission members to consider God’s love when using Christian faith to justify their opinion on the ordinance.

"Our faith is one of inclusion and love. We can't say that we love someone and then sit back and discriminate against them," said Watkins.

COMMERCIAL APPEAL: Anti-Discrimination Bill Fails in County Committee

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This is scary! If we can’t get this passed, my partner and I are leaving Memphis, Tennessse and the Confederate South!
Jim M.
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OK, Here are my responses to the anti-gay bigots, or, HOW TO TALK TO HOMOPHOBIC BIGOTS:

Quit trying to quote the Bible! First, you are picking out verses to suit your political agenda. If you really want to follow the Levitical Code, then just go all the way and say your support putting people to death for homosexuality, adultery, disobeying parents, and eating the wrong foods! And if you want to follow the New Testament literally, you need to make your women shut up and be quiet. After all, Paul says, God made Adam first gave him dominion over the earth--and women! Second, what the Bible says is irrelevant to CIVIL rights and laws in the United States. Thanks to Thomas Jefferson and other enlightened founders of this country, we have a SECULAR constitution! If you want to live in a country where gay people are put to death, move to Iran or Saudi Arabia!

Evidently some black preachers didn't get the message of the Civil Rights movement. They think Civil Rights are only for them! Dr. Martin Luther King said Injustice anywhere is an injustice to everyone. He didn't limit the struggle for social justice and equality to just one race. If it is a disgrace to the civil rights movement and black people to compare gay rights with other civil rights, you better correct Civil Rights leaders like Rep. John Lewis and Rev. Joseph Lowery, and rebuke the words of Coretta Scott King who said:

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the civil rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice. But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother-and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."

Quit trying to impose your religious beliefs on me! You have the freedom to CHOOSE your narrow-minded archaic religious dogmas, I have the freedom to CHOOSE to be a gay, atheist!

And if you don't think gays and lesbians need protection from discrimination, maybe we should rescind all civil rights laws, including those covering race and religion! I don't see any evidence that racist Southern Baptists and homophobic black preachers are being discriminated against! Why should you be getting "special rights" because of your race or religion?

Let's make a deal--you respect my CIVIL rights (to be a gay atheist) and I will respect your right to be a religious fanatic or a bigot. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights protects all of our rights! Don't try to take away MY rights!

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On the Non-Discrimination Ordinance (The Civil Rights Argument)

Religious Bigots Protest Ordinance to Protect Gays

Former civil rights activist protests ordinance to protect gays

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC-TV) - Although he marched for civil rights in the 1960's, Rev. William Owens of Memphis says he's opposed to a proposed ordinance that would prohibit Shelby County employees from being discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

"We don't want San Francisco, Shelby County," he said.

Owens says he's against giving gays equal employment rights.

"I don't see where these people are being discriminated against. If so, it's very isolated," he said.

Owens and several other ministers plan to hold a news conference Tuesday outside the Shelby County Administration Building in Downtown Memphis.

Although he marched for civil rights, Owens said,"I did not march one inch, one foot, one yard for this type of legislation."

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy says he expected the opposition. Mulroy is behind the potentially groundbreaking measure that would not only protect gay employees of the county, but also those who work for county contractors.

"If you're against my ordinance, then what you're saying is you believe people ought to be able to discriminate in employment on the basis of sexual orientation," said Mulroy."If you think that, you're entitled to your opinion. But I think it's profoundly misguided, and I think the tide of history is against you."

Mulroy says his intent is for the county to protect the employment of gays in the same way African Americans, Hispanics and women are protected from discrimination.

"They want to be treated under the law like everybody else. And who can blame them?" said Mulroy.

Opponents say commissioners will be to blame if the measure passes, and they say they'll voice their displeasure loudly come election time.

"We're gonna do everything in our power to see they don't have a seat on that commission the next time," said Owens.

Mulroy says he hopes his colleagues on the Shelby County Commission don't bow to the pressure.

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UPDATE: Memphis Pastors, County Commissioner, Speak Against County Anti-Discrimination Measure

Six Memphis Pastors Oppose Equal Protection for Gays
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TAKE ACTION: Contact Tennessee Equality Project!

County Ordinance Targets Discrimination Against LGBT People

National Black Justice Coalition: King Would Stand With Us Civil Rights Belong to ALL People!

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Memphis and the Great Gay Migration

Gay blogger, and former Memphian, Chris Crain has an inciteful analysis of the Great Gay Migration and the impact on cities like Memphis. There is growing concern here in Memphis about the migration of wealth and tax revenue out of the city and the mounting financial crises and social problems left behind. Crain points out that cities that have benefited from the migration of upper income people have at least one thing in common--a large and influential gay community. This may explain part of the reason that cities like Nashville are more culturally and economically advanced than Memphis, which continues to suffer from poor race relations and the combination of homophobia and a small politically weak gay community.