March 19, 2004: Media Advisory - ACLU-TN calls Rhea County Commission actions deplorable and unconstitutional

Nashville - The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) today sent a letter to Rhea County Commissioners describing their March 16 resolution to ban lesbians and gay men from Rhea County as both deplorable and unconstitutional.

Hedy Weinberg, ACLU-TN Executive Director, wrote, "The actions of the Rhea County Commission on Tuesday night were both deplorable and unconstitutional. Voting to determine ways to ban gay men and lesbians from your community defies the constitutional guarantees of equal treatment and equal protection under the law. We endorse last night's rescission of the resolution. Your earlier actions, however, indicate a total disregard for "the law of the land.""

Weinberg's letter concludes, "It is our hope that Rhea County residents will join with the many Tennesseans who everyday welcome newcomers into their local communities."