NASHVILLE — In a move that could impact the religious liberty of business owners, the Nashville Metro Council voted Feb. 15 to extend workplace protections to homosexuals and transsexuals working for city contractors. If the bill is approved upon final vote March 15 and signed by the mayor as expected, firms that do business with the city will be required to sign affidavits saying they won’t discriminate on the basis of “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.”
The bill has an exception for businesses that employ 15 or fewer workers, The City Paper in Nashville reported.
Several council members said the proposal would discriminate against business owners whose religious beliefs don’t condone homosexuality or transsexuality.
“Jesus said love your neighbor,” Councilman Jim Hodge was quoted as saying in The City Paper. “He didn’t say endorse their lifestyle. I cannot as a businessman with 16 employees conduct my business the way I want to — the way I desire to based on my faith — if this passes. We don’t have any reason to interfere in a private contractual relationship between an employer and an employee.”
The vote was 21–16, with three council members abstaining. (TAB)
Share with others: