http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid...ounty_gay_ban_1
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[ April 19, 2004, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: m1 ]
Full Version: Thinking about a move? Stay outta Rhea County TN...
Here's more on it, PF.
A bipartisan example, I guess, of just how we continue to advance in the 21st century. It's obvious evolution skipped a generation here...
DAYTON, Tenn. — Rhea County commissioners unanimously voted to ask state lawmakers to introduce legislation amending Tennessee's criminal code so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes against nature.
"We need to keep them out of here," said Commissioner J.C. Fugate, who introduced the motion.
County Attorney Gary Fritts also was asked by Fugate to find the best way to enact a local law banning homosexuals from living in Rhea County. Commissioners asked Fritts to bring a resolutionced drinking alcohol and county zoning.
The Rhea County action came after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-1 Tuesday for a bill that would prohibit legal recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships among homosexuals in Tennessee. Gay marriages already are prohibited in the state.
The state senator who represents Rhea County, Tommy Kilby, D-Wartburg, said Wednesday he hadn't seen the resolution and couldn't comment on it until he did.
"Yesterday in Judiciary Committee, they passed out a bill basically saying we will not recognize same-sex partnerships or civil unions from other states or foreign countries. I voted for that, and that's my position on that issue," Kilby said.
State Rep. Jim Vincent couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
A bipartisan example, I guess, of just how we continue to advance in the 21st century. It's obvious evolution skipped a generation here...
DAYTON, Tenn. — Rhea County commissioners unanimously voted to ask state lawmakers to introduce legislation amending Tennessee's criminal code so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes against nature.
"We need to keep them out of here," said Commissioner J.C. Fugate, who introduced the motion.
County Attorney Gary Fritts also was asked by Fugate to find the best way to enact a local law banning homosexuals from living in Rhea County. Commissioners asked Fritts to bring a resolutionced drinking alcohol and county zoning.
The Rhea County action came after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-1 Tuesday for a bill that would prohibit legal recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships among homosexuals in Tennessee. Gay marriages already are prohibited in the state.
The state senator who represents Rhea County, Tommy Kilby, D-Wartburg, said Wednesday he hadn't seen the resolution and couldn't comment on it until he did.
"Yesterday in Judiciary Committee, they passed out a bill basically saying we will not recognize same-sex partnerships or civil unions from other states or foreign countries. I voted for that, and that's my position on that issue," Kilby said.
State Rep. Jim Vincent couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
And then, here in the bastion of genteel fascism that we call Virginia, we get this.
So much for "less government is more." :mad:
So much for "less government is more." :mad:
Well, now these turns of events are interesting, because both the Tennessee and Virginia moves can be considered completely unConstitutional, under the 14th Amendment, the Full Faith and Credit clause, and the whole non-interferance with Interstate Commerce.
Think about it - I am part of a company with a business trip to Rhea County, Tennessee - by barring me because I am gay, the locality will be interfering with Interstate Commerce, which is unConstitutional (and I'm sure if my interpretation is wrong, MIB will let me know). And if these neanderthals make my very existance a crime (as opposed to a specific act I may or may not engage in), doesn't that violate some rules in the Constitution - after all, I cannot stop being who I am, and can never not commit the crime they claim.
As for Virginia, I found this part of the Equality Virginia piece very interesting:
Certainly medical powers of attorney or custody agreements must also fall under the category of contracts that all states must abide by. I'd love to see VA try to enforce this one.
More importantly, although BG does not want to move - could you at least boycott VA merchants. In fact, I would love to see the DC gay community rise up if this law is passed to refuse - maybe for one day, or one weekend, or one week, to do any shopping in N. VA - and to get straight allies to do the same. Since N. VA is more liberal than the rest of the backwater, they might actually miss the $$.
Think about it - I am part of a company with a business trip to Rhea County, Tennessee - by barring me because I am gay, the locality will be interfering with Interstate Commerce, which is unConstitutional (and I'm sure if my interpretation is wrong, MIB will let me know). And if these neanderthals make my very existance a crime (as opposed to a specific act I may or may not engage in), doesn't that violate some rules in the Constitution - after all, I cannot stop being who I am, and can never not commit the crime they claim.
As for Virginia, I found this part of the Equality Virginia piece very interesting:
QUOTE
The effects could include:
Revoking hospital visitation rights, or medical directives. These could be interpreted as a \"partnership contract,\" which this bill expressly prohibits;
Rendering inoperative, agreements entered into by gay couples with children giving the non-biological parent the legal authority to make medical and education-related decisions for their minor children;
Prohibiting any existing health insurance coverage for gay and lesbian employees and their loved ones. This could be seen as a \"benefit of marriage\";
Finding invalid out of state same-sex second parent adoptions or custody decisions.
Unlike marriage contracts, at least some of these items have already been ruled on by federal courts. Certainly states have to abide by other states' adoption decisions (there was a case from Mississippi last year where a lesbian couple in VT was denied an amended birth certificate for a child born in MS but adopted in VT, but the courts ruled in the women's favor). Revoking hospital visitation rights, or medical directives. These could be interpreted as a \"partnership contract,\" which this bill expressly prohibits;
Rendering inoperative, agreements entered into by gay couples with children giving the non-biological parent the legal authority to make medical and education-related decisions for their minor children;
Prohibiting any existing health insurance coverage for gay and lesbian employees and their loved ones. This could be seen as a \"benefit of marriage\";
Finding invalid out of state same-sex second parent adoptions or custody decisions.
Certainly medical powers of attorney or custody agreements must also fall under the category of contracts that all states must abide by. I'd love to see VA try to enforce this one.
More importantly, although BG does not want to move - could you at least boycott VA merchants. In fact, I would love to see the DC gay community rise up if this law is passed to refuse - maybe for one day, or one weekend, or one week, to do any shopping in N. VA - and to get straight allies to do the same. Since N. VA is more liberal than the rest of the backwater, they might actually miss the $$.
Somethin' tells me Rhea Co. is home of many a recent Republican landslides. 
QUOTE
HornFan:
Somethin' tells me Rhea Co. is home of many a recent Republican landslides. :rolleyes:
Not as bad as you would think -- 2000 resultsSomethin' tells me Rhea Co. is home of many a recent Republican landslides. :rolleyes:
Gore 3,722 (of course it was his home state)
Bush 5,900
Remember it is a sin to be a homosexual, but is a-okay to marry your cousin. 
A number of years ago a friend of Dan Savage started passing around an initiative here in Seattle to ban adoption by fundamentalists. it got quite a few signatures, and while a few flat-earth fundamentalists didn't get it - it did send the message.
How about some initiatives to ban Rhea county residents from entering our various home cities and counties?
I certainly don't want people like that here...
Nat
How about some initiatives to ban Rhea county residents from entering our various home cities and counties?
I certainly don't want people like that here...
Nat
Nat that could probably be easily done, with all the crazy initiatives that get started around here.
[ March 17, 2004, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: CnSEA ]
[ March 17, 2004, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: CnSEA ]
There is no new thing under the sun.
Torch Out But Tolerance Shines: Olympics Pull Torch Relay From Anti-Gay Cobb County
Torch Out But Tolerance Shines: Olympics Pull Torch Relay From Anti-Gay Cobb County
QUOTE
Friday, April 19, 1996
Torch Out But Tolerance Shines: Olympics Pull Torch Relay From Anti-Gay Cobb County
MEDIA CONTACT:
NGLTF Communications Department
media@ngltf.org
323-857-8751
To the relief and gratification of gay and lesbian people everywhere, the Olympic torch will not pass through Cobb County, Georgia, announced the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG). ACOG stunned the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (g/l/b/t) community when last July it announced the Torch Relay would pass through Cobb County, which in 1993 passed a resolution condemning the \"gay lifestyle\" as incompatible with the community's standards. County officials have refused to rescind the measure despite mounting opposition against it.
....
Torch Out But Tolerance Shines: Olympics Pull Torch Relay From Anti-Gay Cobb County
MEDIA CONTACT:
NGLTF Communications Department
media@ngltf.org
323-857-8751
To the relief and gratification of gay and lesbian people everywhere, the Olympic torch will not pass through Cobb County, Georgia, announced the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG). ACOG stunned the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (g/l/b/t) community when last July it announced the Torch Relay would pass through Cobb County, which in 1993 passed a resolution condemning the \"gay lifestyle\" as incompatible with the community's standards. County officials have refused to rescind the measure despite mounting opposition against it.
....
I hate Virginia... If it were not for the BF getting a job at Circuit City's headquarters we would be out of here! I even grew up in NOVA and that sucked!
Laws like this put me in a parade mood. Anyone want to walk down mainstreet hand in hand? Getting arrested would be the fastest way to get this particular piece of crap legislation dumped.
Jason and GatorJamie, I know how you feel, it may be time to get out. The last one turn the rainbow christmas lights out. Virginia is getting really scary. I am going to the Equality Virginia dinner on Saturday in Richmond, I am sure this issue will be topic no. 1.
This embarrasses me being from the great state of Tennessee -- my former stomping ground of the hills of East Tennessee is different (hell, East Tennessee wanted to break away from the South during the Civil War and join the Union!), at least the East Tennesseans stood up to Fred Phelps and told him to stick his anti-Matthew Shepard monument up his ass when he wanted to plant one in a town square next to the 10 Commandments monument that was soon moved. Maybe the new Democrat governor will step in and do something about this ridiculousness.
[ March 18, 2004, 07:01 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]
[ March 18, 2004, 07:01 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]
I can't find a phone number for this JC Fugate bigot, but here is his address and a map to his house:
JC Fugate, County Commissioner
117 Cherokee Drive
Spring City TN 37321
And here is the phone number for the Rhea County Commission, which voted unanimously for the measure:
(423) 755-7818.
If anyone could get this dude's personal phone number, I wanna give him a piece of my mind, and I'm sure others would too.
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[ March 18, 2004, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: m1 ]
JC Fugate, County Commissioner
117 Cherokee Drive
Spring City TN 37321
And here is the phone number for the Rhea County Commission, which voted unanimously for the measure:
(423) 755-7818.
If anyone could get this dude's personal phone number, I wanna give him a piece of my mind, and I'm sure others would too.
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[ March 18, 2004, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: m1 ]
I've asked it before and I'll ask it again: is it too late for the North to secede?
In the mood to crash a council meeting?
[ March 18, 2004, 01:27 PM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]
QUOTE
Rhea County commissioners will clarify whether they support a state legislative movement to ban same-sex marriages or they wish to charge gays as criminals. A unanimous vote Tuesday led to the confusion. Rhea County is about 30 miles north of Chattanooga.
[ March 18, 2004, 01:27 PM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]
QUOTE
Cpt.Doom doesn't work for a hospital
Just to clarify, I work in health care quality for a non-profit, I don't work in a hospital. As for the suggestion we crash the council meeting - too bad I am so far away from the scene of the action!
Interestingly, although I doubt the county could pass a law making it criminal for any gay to go into the county, they could pass a law declaring it illegal to rent or sell a home to a gay person, and that would be perfectly legal. As I understand it, the federal courts have been clear that sexual orientation is NOT covered by federal anti-discrimination laws. Assuming Tennessee does not have an equivalent state law (yeah, I know I'm going out on a limb with that assumption
), there would be nothing anyone could do about the law, unless the Supreme Court ruling in Romer v. Evans would somehow apply. Many people have argued that the marriage fight is the wrong one at this time because we still don't have federal protections to otherwise participate in society (e.g., jobs and housing). I agree that those more basic rights are important, but the marriage fight is the one that is here now, and the one that can make the biggest impact on the nation. Nonetheless, this points out again how it can really suck to be gay (thank God that DC is gay-friendly!).
QUOTE
CPT_Doom:
thank God that DC is gay-friendly!
You're absolutely right, CPT. There's a reason why I never gave you crap about your policy of not spending money in VA. My company is considering a move out of the rent-inflated West End in DC, and I've already made my preference known that we not move to Fairfax County, even though I live there.thank God that DC is gay-friendly!
But let's road trip to Tennessee, Priscilla-style!
gj
p.s. PF, you keep those appletinis comin' and I'll fetch you a beer or three in Philly this May. :cool:
So, umm, remember Rhea County, Tennessee? Well first of all, the county commissioners are "reconsidering the proposal to ban homosexuals from living in the county" because they were confused about which pointless, anti-gay blather they had voted on.
"County Commission Chairman Terry Broyles said he understood the motion to be about gay marriage -- not banning gays from the county."
Oh, of course, that's an innocent misunderstanding... :confused:
"County Commission Chairman Terry Broyles said he understood the motion to be about gay marriage -- not banning gays from the county."
Oh, of course, that's an innocent misunderstanding... :confused:
Now this is just perfect: Community That Tried To Imprison Gays To Get A Taste Of Rainbow Pride. This is the part that makes it so great:
QUOTE
\"I don't believe there are any of those people living here,\" said June Griffin, a Christian activist who favored the recent ordinance.
Yes, people, there are no homosexuals living in Rhea County... which perfectly explains the bill to arrest those who live in the community... because there are none... and my head just exploded.
A Rhea County lesbian who's helping to organize Gay Day there has been taking a lot of shit from her neighbors.
Her story was transcribed in the Chattanoogan, which also published a letter from a local gay guy warning that Rhea County "is not [as enlightened as] Atlanta or even Chattanooga, and I urge you not to push the issue by going through with Gay Day there."
Here's wishing them great success!
Her story was transcribed in the Chattanoogan, which also published a letter from a local gay guy warning that Rhea County "is not [as enlightened as] Atlanta or even Chattanooga, and I urge you not to push the issue by going through with Gay Day there."
Here's wishing them great success!
Terrific piece on Rhea County from the Chicago Trib.
"People who are afraid lose the battles, and people who have courage, win. We have seen the faces of the people who are afraid."
"People who are afraid lose the battles, and people who have courage, win. We have seen the faces of the people who are afraid."
From the same article:
QUOTE
Josh Runyon, 27, who grew up in Dayton, used to believe he would go to hell because he is gay. Everywhere he went, people reminded him of it--on the street, in the fast-food restaurant where he worked and in the church where he worshiped.
Since he came out at age 14, Runyon, the son of a preacher, has grown used to Christians telling him that his sexual orientation is an abomination and quoting the Bible to make their point. Some offered to pray for him; others threatened to burn a cross on his front lawn if he didn't renounce his sexuality.
\"Christianity stopped making sense to me, so when I turned 18, I left the church. I just didn't feel welcome,\" said Runyon, who later moved to Chattanooga. \"People are locked in ideas from 20 years ago. I was taught that homosexuality is a sin and that gay people were going to hell. So I decided to stop going to church and just be gay.\"
Rev. Matthew Nevels, a former Southern Baptist minister, said he left the convention after church members shunned his son when he was dying of AIDS. Nevels, of Chattanooga, is president of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
\"So many pastors have master's degrees in divinity or PhDs in theology, but they follow a prescribed course of study in seminaries that don't offer any research on sexuality. There is an unwillingness to look at things in an open-minded way,\" said Nevels, associate pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church in Chattanooga.
Scary scene ... and still more common than people think. eek!
Since he came out at age 14, Runyon, the son of a preacher, has grown used to Christians telling him that his sexual orientation is an abomination and quoting the Bible to make their point. Some offered to pray for him; others threatened to burn a cross on his front lawn if he didn't renounce his sexuality.
\"Christianity stopped making sense to me, so when I turned 18, I left the church. I just didn't feel welcome,\" said Runyon, who later moved to Chattanooga. \"People are locked in ideas from 20 years ago. I was taught that homosexuality is a sin and that gay people were going to hell. So I decided to stop going to church and just be gay.\"
Rev. Matthew Nevels, a former Southern Baptist minister, said he left the convention after church members shunned his son when he was dying of AIDS. Nevels, of Chattanooga, is president of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
\"So many pastors have master's degrees in divinity or PhDs in theology, but they follow a prescribed course of study in seminaries that don't offer any research on sexuality. There is an unwillingness to look at things in an open-minded way,\" said Nevels, associate pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church in Chattanooga.
Update on gay happenings in Dayton...the town should be flooded with gay people during gay pride weekend!
QUOTE
Gay pride event scheduled for May 8 in Dayton
DAYTON - A gay pride event has been approved for May 8 by the town best known as the site of the 1925 Scopes \"monkey\" trial and in the news recently for a county effort to outlaw homosexuality.
Dayton officials said Friday they had agreed to plans to use the public Point Park for the event. A parade has been canceled because of space and security concerns.
Event organizer Kristie Bacon could not be reached for comment Friday.
In March, the Rhea County Commission voted to begin researching how to make homosexuality a \"crime against nature\" in the county. The action received national attention. The commission rescinded the vote two days later.
Knoxville News-Sentinel Briefs (April 17)
DAYTON - A gay pride event has been approved for May 8 by the town best known as the site of the 1925 Scopes \"monkey\" trial and in the news recently for a county effort to outlaw homosexuality.
Dayton officials said Friday they had agreed to plans to use the public Point Park for the event. A parade has been canceled because of space and security concerns.
Event organizer Kristie Bacon could not be reached for comment Friday.
In March, the Rhea County Commission voted to begin researching how to make homosexuality a \"crime against nature\" in the county. The action received national attention. The commission rescinded the vote two days later.
And at Dollywood (near Knoxville), Gay Day draws the KKK. Where are the Phelps clan, Roy Moore and the Southern Baptist Convention?
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