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Be a Ballsy Bigot

6/10/2011

7 Comments

 
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It used to upset me when politicians say bigoted or hateful things about various groups of people, but now I can appreciate blatantly prejudice remarks, because at least I know where that specific politician stands. When politicians try to disguise or sugarcoat their biased views, I think it’s that much more insulting because now you’re lying, trying to deceive people and cowardly hiding your opinion.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed a law that would prohibit local governments from creating their own anti-discrimination laws. This decision came after the city of Nashville formed an ordinance that restricts employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Haslam’s spokesman, David Smith, told “The Tennessean”: “Through the legislative process, (Haslam) expressed concerns about the state telling local governments what to do, but he also had concerns about local governments telling businesses what to do, especially the potential burden on small businesses…Ultimately, he felt the Metro ordinance went further than federal law in regulating business policies.” 

Not only was Haslam too much of a coward to address “The Tennessean” himself, he hid his prejudice against the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community under the guise of protecting businesses from government. He’s concerned about “local government telling businesses what to do?” Really? There are multiple state laws that “tell businesses what to do,” including not discriminating based on sex and race, among other things. Why have anti-discrimination laws for one group, but not another? Oh, I remember, because Haslam is prejudice against the LGBT community. I would slightly respect Haslam more if had a just came out and said “I think businesses should be able to not hire a homo if they don’t want to.” Be ballsy with your homophobia, please.

On another note, when it comes to LGBT employment discrimination, we have slightly bigger fish to fry as a culture. As it currently stands, there are no nationwide anti-discrimination employment laws for this community. That means, unless you have an awesome lawyer and a supportive court, you’re going to have a hard time obtaining damages as a victim. For all of those bigots out there, that fact is a gift. For those who believe in human rights, support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a circulating congress bill that has yet to pass. 

7 Comments
DiOtheDoll link
6/10/2011 07:03:59 am

It hurts as a gay man to be living in a region such as this. To know that I could be or possibly have already been denied a job due to my sexual orientation is a hard, odious pill to swallow. Do they want all homosexual people to migrate to the northern and western states as African Americans did? This is going to turn into The Great Migration all over again.

Reply
Ronnie
6/10/2011 09:20:40 am

Hey Jasmine the governor is being ridiculous and his proposal is ridiculous! This is so sad to see this happening and unfortunate to say the least. NO one should be discriminated against in employment and I FULLY SUPPORT the ENDA!! :)

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Tracy
6/10/2011 11:03:04 am

Just wondering if you would provide me a link to the interview with this guy?

Reply
jp
6/10/2011 11:31:32 am

ENDA is not always the answer, especially when transgender protection is often stripped out of it, with a "pass this now, we'll come back for transgender protections later" tossed in. ENDA will protect LGB people completely, but often with the T being sacrificed for whatever bigoted reason (yes, people who are LGB are often bigoted against T, this post can apply to them as well, honestly).

Reply
J.Says
6/10/2011 11:51:32 am

@Tracy: Thanks for visiting! Here's the link: http://www.newser.com/story/119341/tennessee-governor-bill-haslam-voids-nashville-law-that-prohibited-anti-gay-discrimination.html

Reply
Andrea Smith
6/11/2011 06:06:03 pm

Clearly, Tennessee is probably one of the most, if not the most, homophobic states in the union. I'm not sure if it has to do with the "Bible Belt," antiquated (backward) thinking, or just a fear of differences that has caused many of our legislators (and many of their constituents) to close their eyes to human rights issues. Where is their sense of humanity, fairness, and equity? It's wrong to discriminate--no matter who turns out to be the benefactor. Keep fighting...the struggle is not over.

Reply
Crystal
6/24/2011 03:52:57 pm

The question of what choices someone makes relationally should not even become an issue at most workplaces. If it does, it usually means someone is becoming too chummy with their coworkers (that applies to heterosexuals as well as LGBTs). Sometimes, however, personal choices should be brought into question. My father was fired for infidelity because he worked for a Christian company and it was in his contract to uphold a high moral standard. He absolutely deserved to be fired. The company made it clear in his contract what they wanted. When a company hires you, you represent them. The way I see it, a company shouldn't ask whether you are married, shacking up, or dating. It isn't any of their business unless you make it their business. What matters is that you are willing to abide by their rules and maintain professional boundaries. If you can do this, they shouldn't care what hat you wear at home.

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