Nashville Councilwoman Pushes for LGBT Equality

From the Nashvillecitypaper.com.

Five years have passed since Metro Council’s failed attempt to add “sexual orientation” to the city’s employment and housing nondiscrimination policy.

Since then 13 states and dozens of cities have joined the list of municipalities where one can’t be harassed or fired because of their sexual orientation. According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 13 states protect workers based on sexual orientation and gender identity while seven offer just nondiscrimination protection based on orientation.

Tennessee has made efforts to include sexual orientation as a protected class as well. The Tennessee Board of Regents passed a nondiscrimination and harassment policy in April.

Despite progress elsewhere, Council has not taken another attempt at protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, but that could change in the coming months.

At-large Councilwoman Megan Barry said she intends to put the issue back on the table.

“At some point over the next term, we will look to file a resolution that will protect all our brothers and sisters in Metro,” Barry said. “I want equal protection for all Metro employees because it’s the right thing to do.”