January 13, 2003: ACLU Friends in Metro Nashville Supporting Anti-Discrimination Ordinance - call council people ASAP

Dear Friends,

On Tuesday, January 21, the Metro Nashville Council will decide whether to add "sexual orientation" and "disability" as categories to be included in the City's current anti-discrimination ordinance prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing. In addition, it will change the category "sex" to gender. Currently, the Metro Human Relations Commission has the power to investigate complaints against discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, and national origin. However, they cannot investigate complaints filed by individuals who believe they have been fired or denied housing because of their sexual orientation or because they are disabled.

Please contact your council member and the at-large board members ASAP (see list below - omitted for web) to let them know that you support this amendment to the ordinance and that you want them to vote for the measure. The amended ordinance will ensure EQUALITY and FAIRNESS for all Metro Nashville residents.

During the second reading on December 17, the measure received a 26-2 favorable vote with 2 abstentions and 9 council members absent or out of the chamber. Since then a lot of pressure and opposing phone calls have been made to council people and some are wavering on their support. It is vital that we - the supporters - make calls and send emails - to all Metro Council members.

Please make sure your council people know that this amendment does not and will not be applied to religious institutions conducting core religious functions. Both the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause bar the government from interfering with the internal structure of the churches. Unfortunately, those in opposition are saying just the opposite. Make sure at-large council members and your council member understand this. In fact, an additional amendment will be introduced that specifically exempts religious institutions.

Nashville would join Maryville, Tennessee, as the only city in Tennessee that offers such protection. It also would join companies such as Vanderbilt Medical Center; Vanderbilt University; Bridgestone-Firestone; Dollar General Corporation; Northern Telecom; Broadcast Music Inc.; Dell Computer Corporation; Bass, Berry and Sims PLC; Austin Peay State University; The University of Memphis; Volunteer State Community College; Cingular Wireless; Ford Motor Company; and Autozone that offer such protections.

If you do not know who your council representative is or need contact information, please go to http://www.nashville.gov/council/council_roster.html

Your voice is important. Please make these calls ASAP and help make Nashville a place that promotes equal treatment and fairness for all its residents.

At-Large members Chris Ferrell and Eileen Beehan are co-sponsoring the bill. Thank them for their courage for initiating the effort to promote equality and fairness in our city.

Many thanks,
Hedy Weinberg, Executive Director