July 15, 2009: Ordinance Protecting LGBT Government Employees in Nashville Filed

Dear E-Alert Network,

We are excited to announce that last night a non-discrimination ordinance was filed with Metro Nashville Council that would add protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity to Metro Nashville’s current non-discrimination ordinance.

This ordinance would prohibit the Metropolitan Government from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity through its employment practices, similar to the resolution passed in Shelby County earlier this year.  Adopting a non-discrimination ordinance will help ensure that both new and current Metro employees are treated with basic human dignity, and will be judged based on their merits, and not on characteristics unrelated to their ability or skills.

At-large Council Members Megan Barry, Tim Garrett, Ronnie Steine, Jerry Maynard and other Council Members introduced this landmark bill.

We will let you know after the ordinance’s first reading when to contact your council members to thank them for their support and/or to urge them to vote for the ordinance.

For over 25 years, the ACLU of Tennessee has been committed to ensuring that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated fairly and equally by the community and by their government. For more information, please visit www.aclu-tn.org/lgbt.     

Thank you for standing with us.

Hedy Weinberg

Executive Director