Anti-gay bill and Rep. Richard Floyd's remarks draw fire in Nashville
Chattanooga Times Free Press-
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jan/25/anti-gay-bill-and-rep-richard-floyds-remarks-draw-/?breakingnews
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NASHVILLE The father of a young gay college student, whose 1998 murder in Wyoming spurred national discussion about hate crimes, said today that Tennessee and several other states have become a bully pulpit in more ways than one.
Dennis Shepard, who son was killed in Wyoming due to, according to court testimony, his sexual orientation, said two pending bills dealing with gay issues disturb me and he urged state lawmakers to work instead toward an all-inclusive law toward hate crimes.
Shepards comments came at a news conference at Legislative Plaza where he spoke out specifically against a bill that seeks to create a religious exemption in the states anti-school bullying law and another measure known as the so-called Dont Say Gay bill. The amended bill says teachers can only discuss natural reproduction with students in grades K-8.
On another front, Shepard was critical of recent remarks made by Rep. Richard Floyd, R-Chattanooga, who has introduced legislation barring transgender persons from using public restrooms and store dressing rooms if they do not fit the gender listed on their original birth certificate.
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My comment:
In Tennessee there is a bill being considered that would grant a "religious exemption" to the anti-bullying law, making it possible for students to bully gay students and say that it was their "religious belief" and therefore avoid prosecution under the law. Another bill would prevent teachers from discussing homosexual relationships.
There is a poll on the linked page relating to the story if you want to give a little DU love.
atreides1
(16,319 posts)I wonder how it works if your religious belief allows you to seek vengeance against those that do you harm?
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)Should K-8 teachers be allowed to discuss homosexuality with students?
65%
Say yes
(174 votes)
34%
Say no
(92 votes)
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)religious belief bullshit.
Chipper Chat
(9,982 posts)as the most bigoted state in the Union (thanks to the people electing those radical ultra-rightwing officials).
Smilo
(1,950 posts)that we don't know about...
Race to become the Biggest Loser CINO edition.
xfundy
(5,105 posts)And wide stances.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Next on their sunday school schedule: Genocide.
WildFire43
(12 posts)State Rep. Richard Floyd threatened to "stomp a mudhole" into any transgender woman who uses a public restroom in Tennessee. "Stomp a mudhole," according to Urban Dictionary, means "To tear someone a new a--hole, to beat them to near death or to otherwise hurt someone to the point that they can not fight back." We cannot tolerate such hate!
That's why I signed a petition to The Tennessee State House, The Tennessee State Senate, and Governor Bill Haslam, which says:
"State Rep. Richard Floyd does not have the right to threaten transgendered women in his state. Hate speech like this should not be tolerated! Stop the cycle of hate now!"
Will you sign the petition too? Click here to add your name:
http://signon.org/sign/demand-that-state-rep?source=s.fwd&r_by=1670263