In what's been a interesting modern twist on segregation Senator Brian Kelsey of Memphis and Germantown Tennessee has introduced a bill that "permits persons and religious or denominational organizations, based on sincere religious belief, to refuse to provide services or goods in furtherance of a civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by the Tennessee Constitution". Based on the wording it's unclear how far this bill will reach. It appears to be intended to specifically allow people to discriminate against same-sex unions, but it could be as broad to allow discrimination against any individuals in relationships that the state of Tennessee doesn't specifically acknowledge, this could be same-sex, Jewish, Indian, Inter-racial, Muslim, Mormon, Polyamorous, Buddhist. It isn't clearly laid out and when you're discriminating against one group it sets precedent to discriminate against others.
I encourage everyone to reach out to members of the Tennessee House and Senate as well as major businesses that are based in Tennessee to ask them the following questions about sb2566
Are you familiar with the bill sb2566 that would allow refusal of services and goods based on religious beliefs?
Do you believe that businesses should be able to refuse services or goods if a customer does not live according to their religious beliefs?
If you run or were to run a business would you refuse goods or services to customers if they were in a relationship that did not match your religious beliefs?
What, if any, relationships do not match your religious beliefs (eg same-sex, Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Indian, Inter-racial, Muslim, Mormon, Polyamorous, Buddhist)?
What, if any, are relationships that would cause you to refuse goods or services to a customer if you run or were to run a business (eg same-sex, Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Indian, Inter-racial, Muslim, Mormon, Polyamorous, Buddhist)?
Do you have any additional thoughts on a bill that would "permits persons and religious or denominational organizations, based on sincere religious belief, to refuse to provide services or goods in furtherance of a civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by the Tennessee Constitution"?
If you do get any responses please send them to info@lgblt.org
Here's the news story that brought this issue to our attention
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24698365/sen-kelsey-introduces-turn-the-gays-away-bill#axzz2t9GEdw5P
Some additional information about the Bill
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2566
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