Memphis City Councilmen, Harris and Flinn are pushing for additional privileges for the gay, lesbian, transgender and bi-sexual community. It has been contended that once special privileges are granted a group will be considered a special class with special privileges.
Special classes have contributed to higher costs to taxpayers in terms of litigation and additional health benefits due to the special class status. There are currently laws on the books which will offer protection, but this request may change the city charter.
Today, the Memphis City Council amended a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation but is putting off a final vote while legal experts study it.
A vote for a 30-day delay, proposed by Flinn, came after the city attorney and the council's attorney raised questions about the legality of the amendment and whether it would require a voter referendum.
Jonathan Cole with Tennessee Equality Project, Pastor Steve Gaines, FACTN Director of Community Relations, Paul Houghland were among the major speakers before the City Council members concerning this ordinance being discussed to provide special privileges the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual (LGBT) community on the city's non-discrimination policy.
This was not a new debate, but that does not mean it is any less contentious. In 2010, an effort failed to add lesbians, gays, transgender, and bisexuals to the city's non-discrimination ordinance.
According to Councilman Boyd, the Council members were blind sighted by Harris' proposal. It appears that Councilman Harris did not provide a forewarning of this ordinance to the other members before the media announced it. This was considered a back-door effort to force the amendment onto the final reading by Harris and Flinn.
Posting on Facebook, sending emails, etc. are all good. But, to protect one's land, one must get involved and present a united front.
Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession. ~George Washington
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