Memphis Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Withdrawn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Memphis Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Withdrawn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

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

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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