Tennessee Now A State Of Hate.

 

It’s a State Of Hate.   One major step back for equality and not just gay rights,  but for  human rights.   Tennessee is starting to be more vocal of it’s hate for difference,  for gay people.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed the bill reversing Metro’s new non discrimination ordinance, dealing a blow to opponents who had mounted a campaign urging him to veto the bill.

Haslam signed the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act, HB 600, Monday afternoon, a spokesman confirmed. The bill effectively reverses an ordinance passed by Metro Council that required contractors with the city to agree to follow Metro’s rules barring discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered people.

“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,” said Haslam’s spokesman, David Smith. “Ultimately, he felt the Metro ordinance went farther than federal law in regulating business policies.”

The Tennessee Equality Project condemned Haslam’s decision. “We are disappointed the majority of the legislature and Gov. Haslam have given their assent to this repressive law,” the group said. “It encourages discrimination, restricts the power of every city and county to determine how to use its own tax dollars in government contracting and nullifies a Metro non-discrimination ordinance that was backed by over 70 Nashville congregations, businesses and community organizations.”

What this basically means is that it’s now perfectly legal to not promote, to fire, to discriminate against gay people in Nashville.   If you’re gay,  you now have no protection from discrimination, abuse and hate.   In all but name the Governor has legalised hate crime.

This anti gay bill is also supported by the chamber of commerce,  which includes Nissan, FedEx, AT&T, Embraer, DuPont, Caterpillar,  some of which have diversity policies including protections for gay people.  The support they are showing this bill makes a mockery of such policies and procedures for the respect of and protection of diversity. 

Would it come as any surprise to learn that the senate and house that passed this legislation is overwhelmingly republican.