TN Business, Chamber, on Anti-GLBT Law: 'Now that it's signed, we've changed our minds'

Businesses criticize anti-discrimination prohibition

* By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II, Associated Press
* Posted May 24, 2011 at 11:15 p.m.


NASHVILLE — Businesses against a new Tennessee law that prohibits local governments from creating anti-discrimination regulations that are stricter than the state’s say it’s discriminatory and they oppose it even if supporters contend it will shield them from unwanted mandates.

The legislation, which Republican Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law Monday, voids a Nashville ordinance barring companies that discriminate against gays and lesbians from doing business with the city. Under state law it is illegal to discriminate against a person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.

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However, Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese pointed out in a recent news release that a number of businesses — including FedEx, AT&T, Whirlpool and Comcast — oppose the measure because they view it as discriminatory.

He noted that the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce at one time favored the measure, then changed its stance. Nissan officials issued a statement saying the company believes in a standard state regulatory environment, but shares “public concerns about this bill’s impact on diversity and inclusiveness.”
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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/may/24/businesses-criticize-anti-discrimination-measure/

to hold them accountable ................ babies ........... boycott