A Shining Moment For Nashville

My hometown grew up a lot last night, and I couldn't be more proud.

After weeks of intense debate, Nashville's City Council voted to pass not just one, but two non-discrimination ordinances that grant equal protection for Metro employees regardless of "sexual orientation" or "gender identity." The original bill, first sponsored by Council Lady Megan Barry, passed a required third and final reading last night, 24-15, effectively making the bill law. More than 50 area organizations, including churches, neighborhoods and labor unions, publicly supported the ordinance.

Other Council members, led by Sam Coleman, offered an alternative bill, claiming that broader protections for "non-merit" factors such as political party affiliation were also needed. Ironically, the bill's language, which was supposed to extend broader protections, omitted "gender identity." That bill too ultimately passed, but not before Councilman Erik Cole's amendment to include gender identity was added.

Much to the chagrin of Coleman and his supporters, the alternative bill - bearing their names - now includes the very words they explicitly (and passionately) opposed to begin with. The fate of Coleman's bill is now in the hands of the City Council as it moves to the final legislative stage. One foreseeable scenario is the argument that Coleman's bill is now unnecessary, given that the Barry bill has already accomplished the ultimate objective.

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Lunch With My City Councilman

Thanks to Jeff Woods at the Nashville Scene who's been covering the Nashville City Council and their progress toward passing a non-discrimination ordinance that protects "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." Supporters of ORDINANCE NO. BL2009-502 are poised to soon see this bill become law.

Included in Woods' latest write-up is part of a discussion that I had with my own city Councilman, Duane Dominy regarding the bill.

Then there's Antioch council member Duane Dominy, who represents District 28. One of his constituents, Bill Newsome, was so outraged by a lunch meeting with the council member that he contacted the Scene. Dominy didn't return the Scene's calls seeking comment about this meeting. But according to Newsome, Dominy told him he opposed the bill because sexual orientation "could be construed in a court of law to mean bestiality and pedophilia."

"I'm sitting there and I'm thinking, 'Am I really hearing this?' " Newsome says. "I really could not believe what I was hearing. I thought, 'Here's a guy who's on the city council and he's saying this.'

"I said, 'Hang on a second. You're putting bestiality and pedophilia in the same category as this?' Our meeting ended civilly and we shook hands but, as important as this issue is to me, I probably should have cleaned his clock. I was overwhelmed with this sense of anger inside."

Here's part two of the story. Councilman Dominy also wanted to followup his "research" with me in an email. Here's the followup email he sent.

From: Duane Dominy <duanead2@yahoo.com>

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 10:14 PM

To: Bill Newsome

Subject: Today's meeting

Dear Bill,

It was a pleasure meeting with you today. I enjoyed our discussion though we remain on opposite sides of this issue. I wanted to share with you the article I mentioned concerning bestiality. I understand the concern of linking this activity with homosexuality and do not desire to do so. Which is why, I currently do not intend to bring this up during discussion of this bill on the council floor, though it will likely be discussed in committee and with our legal staff. I was mistaken as to the source of the article, as I read numerous articles that evening. The information is available at www.reference.com/browse/beastiality . This discusses Zoophilia, its variations and includes distinctions between it and bestiality. However, reading the forth paragraph, a thinking individual must give pause when considering the wording of the proposed bill we discussed.

FYI. I was informed tonight, that the sponsor does plan to defer the bill Thursday evening. Also, I would expect that some may attempt to defeat the bill as well. I am unsure how this may progress and ultimately play-out. You are welcome and encouraged to attend either way.

Kind regards,
Duane Dominy
101 Cherokee Place
Antioch, TN 37013
615-831-0774

Seriously now. We have an elected official who represents a large district in a city, which just happens to be the state capital. It'd be outrageous if this were some rural town in Cullman County Alabama, but this is Nashville for god's sake. You'd think that a "thinking individual" would leave a meeting like that and say, "Woops. I probably shouldn't have talked so much about bestiality," but instead he digs a deeper hole for himself by sending me his so-called research on the subject (yes, from Reference.Com), time-stamped and dated with his name on it.

Many Nashville residents were also outraged by Councilman Hodge and his moldy comments, but at least he was telling the truth. Councilman Dominy, on the other hand, cowardly hides behind this phony notion that gays and lesbians are "under the same umbrella," as he put it that day, as sex offenders and those who practice zoophilia - whatever the hell that is.

You are an embarrassment to this city, Councilman.

It's important for citizens to know what their elected officials are saying when they're meeting with constituents. That's the only reason I initiated contact with the Scene. "Let me be clear," I said to Jeff, "I am not calling you to promote some kind of smear campaign." I stand by that.

Once upon a time, a true thinking individual said this. "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." Here's real proof that not enough people from Nashville's District 28 participated on August 2, 2007, the day this guy was elected - with just 791 votes.

HR 1913: Hate Crimes Bill Passes Passes House

HR 1913 (Local Law Enforcement Prevention Act of 2009) has passed the House of Representatives, 247-175.  Please take a look at the roll call to see if your Congressional Representative voted for the bill.  Please call and thank them for their support if they voted yes.  I'm proud to say that Congressman Jim Cooper (TN-5), my representative, voted for the bill as did Steve Cohen (TN-9). 

Seventeen democrats voted against the bill, three of them, sadly, from Tennessee:  Davis (TN-4), Gordon (TN-6) and Tanner (TN-8). There were 18 Republicans who voted in favor of the measure.

The Senate is expected to pass its version of hate crimes legislation, which was introduced earlier this week by Ted Kennedy (S.909).  Here's a list of the 33 co-sponsors who have signed on already. 

Sen. Edward Kennedy [D, MA]
Sen. Daniel Akaka [D, HI]
Sen. Evan Bayh [D, IN]
Sen. Jeff Bingaman [D, NM]
Sen. Sherrod Brown [D, OH]
Sen. Maria Cantwell [D, WA]
Sen. Benjamin Cardin [D, MD]
Sen. Robert Casey [D, PA]
Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME]
Sen. Christopher Dodd [D, CT]
Sen. Richard Durbin [D, IL]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D, CA]
Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand [D, NY-20]
Sen. Thomas Harkin [D, IA]
Sen. Tim Johnson [D, SD]
Sen. John Kerry [D, MA]
Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D, MN]
Sen. Mary Landrieu [D, LA]
Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D, NJ]
Sen. Patrick Leahy [D, VT]
Sen. Carl Levin [D, MI]
Sen. Joseph Lieberman [I, CT]
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D, OR]
Sen. Barbara Mikulski [D, MD]
Sen. Patty Murray [D, WA]
Sen. Bill Nelson [D, FL]
Sen. Ben Nelson [D, NE]
Sen. John Reed [D, RI]
Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY]
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D, NH]
Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME]
Sen. Arlen Specter [D, PA]
Sen. Mark Udall [D, CO]
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D, RI]

HR 1913: Hate Crimes Legislation Clears House Committee

Following up on our Monday blog, we are pleased to inform you that the House Judiciary Committee passed HR 1913, 15-12.

Democrats are well aware of public support for this legislation as they advance it toward President Obama's desk.  A gallup poll in May 2007 revealed that 68% of Americans support expanding current hate crimes laws to include "gender," "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." George Bush vetoed a similar bill in 2007.

Leaders from within the gay community have also been pushing members of Congress to extend health insurance benefits to same sex couples who are federal employees.  Another hot button issue has been a repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which was introduced once again last month. But don't look for these particular debates to make much progress anytime soon.  Barney Frank, just yesterday, advised a wait strategy before taking up Don't Ask, Don't tell.   

“I believe we should and will do ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ next year. We haven’t done the preliminary work, the preparatory work. It would be a mistake to bring it up without a lot of lobbying and a lot of conversation.”

“People think because they know the rules, that somehow you gain some advantage from it. ... But we all know the rules; the question is when to do it. The key issues are not procedural, it’s political."

My take:  With precision, Democrats are targeting these issues as they develop into more feasible achievements. While some gay and lesbian advocate groups may want Congress to vote tomorrow on gay marriage, they would be asking for too much, too soon. Imagine if one of these issues were defeated in a Democratic controlled congress.  Social conservatives would claim a moral victory, yet again, and the argument would be dead, yet again.

For now, it appears that HR 1913 is headed for the Senate where Republicans will certainly do all they can to muster a filibuster. But defeating hate crimes legislation this time won't be as easy as in 2007.  Both Maine Republicans, Snowe and  Collins, voted for the 2007 bill. Besides fewer votes to work with, there's a Democrat in the White House waiting to sign the bill into law - signaling to anxious gay and lesbian advocates that the new administration is still on their side.

Hate Crimes Legislation - Your Action Is Needed

Everyone please mark your calendars for April 22nd. The House Judiciary Committee is set to vote on H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. Language in the bill includes “sexual orientation,” which is why this bill has our attention (and why so-called family groups are in a tizzy.) Forty-two congressmen have already signed on as co-sponsors.

Please call your own US Representative today to express your support for H.R. 1913, especially if they are on the House Judiciary Committee (link to members here).  Ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor if they haven’t already.

The right-wing Traditional Values Coalition has already released this statement regarding the bill. Unsurprisingly, they have also organized an effort to lobby Congress.

“The so-called hate crimes bill will be used to lay the legal foundation and framework to investigate, prosecute and persecute pastors, business owners, Bible teachers, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, Christian counselors, religious broadcasters and anyone else whose actions are based upon and reflect the truths found in the Bible.”

This same argument has been used over and over in the past to defeat similar bills. Their position is inaccurate and irrational. HR 1913, in fact, does not restrict free speech whatsoever. Lawmakers who drafted the bill went out of their way to ensure freedom of speech. Section 10 makes this abundantly clear (see text of the full bill).  A simple google search of “HR 1913 Hate Crimes” will reveal a fierce opposition to this bill by some social conservative groups who have adopted the very same talking points (other groups are gearing up for an all-out fight in the Senate).

When I contacted TVC this morning, I asked them to point out any language that restricted free speech. Of course, the agent could not highlight any portion whatsoever and instead claimed that an appointed group of lawyers had discovered in the language dangerous nuances that would compromise “free speech for pastors at the pulpit.”

Fight back by calling your Representative, and those on the House Judiciary Committee, today. Tell them to vote “YES” on HR 1913. You can bet that organizers on the opposite side of this fight are lobbying Congress, even as you read these words. We cannot allow them to defeat hate crimes legislation again.

Equality In Vermont!

2009 is becoming a landmark year for the rights of same-sex couples. Vermont, just moments ago, became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage, thanks to a Vermont Legislature that overrode a Republican Governor's veto. The measure easily passed the Vermont Senate, 23-5 and it received exactly 100 supporters (100 needed to override) in the House.

Take a look at the front page of the Burlington Free Press, where you'll find statements from both sides, video and a whole lot more. See video here  from today's House procedure.

Today's victory in Vermont is a first for same sex couples by way of a legislative process. Other states, including Iowa just four days ago, made their own history through the courts instead. Massachusetts and Connecticut also recognize same-sex marriage. Who's next?

**  UPDATE **  Here's a roll call from today's House vote in Vermont.

Tell Congress: End Don't Ask Don't Tell

Yesterday, Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), reintroduced the Military Readiness Enhancement Act to the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation, if passed by Congress and signed by President Obama, would officially end the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy (DADT). Since 1993, dedicated Gays and Lesbians who have proudly served their country have been forced to keep secrets and be dishonest. Since then, more than 12,000 Gays and Lesbians have been discharged for breaking the DADT policy.

The time for action is now, and here's what you can do to help. (You can do all four in less than 15 minutes).

1. Ask members of Congress to end DADT. Start with Representative Tauscher (and others on the House Armed Services Committee) by letting her know she has your support. Her number is located below. 

2. Call your own US Representative today. Voice your support for an end to the military's DADT policy. Ask him/her to join the 144 House members who have already signed on as cosponsors. It’s time, once and for all, that all men and women who are fighting to defend our country be treated equally. Your phone call will make a big difference.

3. Send an email to your US Representative using the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network website (click here). By simply entering your zip code, you can send an email to your congressional representative within a few minutes. They have a preformatted letter which can be sent as is, or you can add/edit/tweak to your liking. Click "Send," and you're done.

4. Most important. Tell your friends and family to join our effort to end DADT.

You can bet that this legislation will be met with fierce resistance from several Republicans and maybe even a few Democrats. They will vigorously oppose, as they always have, the rights of Gays and Lesbians regardless of the facts. We have to look no further than the recent results of California’s Prop 8 election to know the challenge we face. Although the political climate has never been more favorable, we must not lose sight of the tough battle ahead of us.

It’s estimated that 65,000 Gays and Lesbians are serving in the armed forces today. Please make your voice heard for them now. Below the fold you will find Rep. Tauscher’s Washington D.C. phone number and a recent interview she did with Think Progress. 

To find out who your own elected US Representative is, simply go to VoteSmart.org and enter your zip code. There you will find a link to your Representative’s website.


Representative Ellen Tauscher
Washington D.C.
2459 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202.225.1880
Web: www.tauscher.house.gov

Video: Prop 8 Musical

Bravo!