WATCH: Rep. Mike Turner Slams Extremist Bills in Tennessee

It's good and bad to have my home state in spotlight, but it's great to have folks like Mike to speak out the foolishness down there.

VIDEO: Gov. Bill Haslam - "We're not in favor of discrimination in any form at all"

In Tennessee, the Governor claimed he doesn't discriminate even though he signed the hateful HB600. I think he needs to check his Fuck & Wagnalls

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Interesting Quote: Calpernia Addams

"As a proud daughter of Tennessee, I want people to know that not everyone there supports the recent breathtakingly harmful legislation against LGBT people. I grew up among inspiring natural beauty, a culture of friendliness, and an invigorating arts scene. When I returned from the first Gulf War, Nashville's vibrant LGBT community took me in and allowed me to grow into the woman many of you now know. We are embarrassed by the actions of a few small-minded people in power, and eager to see the people of Tennessee push back against this on big and small levels, alongside everyone else who knows that this is wrong."

FYI... Back in the day, my and friends used to watch Calpernia perform in Nashvegas. She was a great performer.

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The Tennessee HB600 Bill Drama heats up

After Gov. Haslam signed HB600, folks came out swinging. Abby Rubenfeld, an attorney in the Nashville area, says a lawsuit is on the way.  

"Yes, you can expect a lawsuit," Rubenfeld said. "We're working on it."
She wouldn't provide details but said a New York-based national firm would be assisting local attorneys in the suit. She also said they are finalizing plaintiffs and backers.

Chris Sanders of the Tennessee Equality Project states:

"We are disappointed that the majority in the General Assembly and the Governor have given their assent to SB632/HB600, which overturns a Metro non-discrimination ordinance, prevents any city or county in Tennessee from adopting a similar law, and redefines "sex" in the Tennessee code to the detriment of transgender people. You can't create jobs by allowing discrimination. And you can't say you're for smaller government when you take away the power of citizens to determine how their local tax dollars are used in government contracting. All Tennesseans deserve to be free of job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and we will continue to work toward that goal."

As I said in an earlier post,  many people expressed their anger towards this bill. Even, Deb Woolley, president and CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry withdrew its support of this mess.

But According to Gov. Haslam, he was only doing the right thing for small businesses. See his statement:

"Through the legislative process, he expressed concerns about the state telling local governments what to do, but he also had concerns about local governments telling businesses what to do, especially the potential burden on small businesses. Ultimately, he felt the Metro ordinance went farther than federal law in regulating business policies."

This is only going to get interesting.

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In Tennessee: Gov. Bill Haslam signs the Hateful HB600/SB63 into Law

After grass & net roots groups, companies and activists overwhelmingly protested against HB600/SB63, Gov. Bill Haslam signed the hateful bill into law tonight. Now, that bill overturns Metro's nondiscrimination ordinance.

They can discriminate against us all they want. Damn, Tennessee, damn!

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WATCH: Family Action Council Hateful Ad supporting HB600/SB632

HB600/SB632 is the bill that strips away LGBT discrimination protections in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the weekend the word got out that the reps from several companies supported this bill and cause some netroots group to take action.

So far, some of those main companies has denounced the bill. But before all of that happened, the hate group Family Action Council released this ad to push the bill through over a month ago


Lies! Pure grain Lies!

Thanks for Scott for providing this info

In Tennessee: The 'Don't Say Gay' Bill passes Senate

Oh, my home state! Yesterday, their Senate approved that silly DSG bill.

Senators voted 20-10 Friday morning to pass Senate Bill 49, known by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, after accepting a new amendment that says the measure would only ban discussion in prepared materials and instruction. Democrats opposed to the measure argued it would muddy state laws that already restrict sex education in middle and elementary school.

What really happening down there?

In Tennessee: State Senate approves bill to repeal New Anti-Discrimination Law

Yesterday, the state senate approved a bill repeals Metro's new anti-discrimination law.

Senators passed the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act after a short debate in which supporters argued that the bill was needed to keep discrimination rules the same in communities throughout Tennessee.


"When it comes to anti-discrimination practices, we need to be have consistent rules across the state," said state Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin.


Opposition mainly came from senators representing Davidson County. The Metro Council passed an ordinance earlier this year that requires businesses that contract with Metro to adopt polices that prohibit discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgendered people.


"This impacts Nashville only, and I really hate to think that those persons who come from everywhere else will take a dictator attitude to what our city council has done," said Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville.

This is not set in stone yet, it has to be added as a minor amendment before Gov. Bill Haslam signs it off.

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Tennesseans Rally against the "Don't Say Gay' Bill

The 'Don't Say Gay' Bill has fired up some Tennesseans to take action. Over 70 people rallied against the bill, hoping to drum up more support to stop it.

Thursday's half-hour rally was held a few feet away from the Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of the Civic Center and across the street from Oak Ridge High School. Teachers, students, parents, clergy, and community leaders gave short speeches and held signs with slogans such as "Stand on the Side of Love" and "It's okay to say gay."

Passing motorists showed their support by honking or giving thumbs-up signals.

"Gay doesn't mean bad," said Alesha Hicks, an Oak Ridge High School senior and GSA president. She said Campfield's legislation would tell children that bullying because of sexual orientation is OK.

Those who spoke at the rally, organized by the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church and the GSA at ORHS and Karns High School, said gay students have to endure ignorance, intolerance, and regular name-calling -- and they sometimes live in fear of brutality.

There are more rallies planned. Maybe this will spread throughout my home state.

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