This afternoon (Tuesday, Aug. 10th) marks the first reading at Memphis City Council of the non-discrimination ordinance protecting city workers (and workers who contract with the city) on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
However, this morning a resolution (not the actual ordinance) was placed on hold in the personnel committee after council person Shea Flinn expressed concerns about requiring businesses who contract with the city to honor the ordinance. Council person and ordinance sponsor Janis Fullilove offered an exemption for churches contracting with the city or using city facilities. The resolution may be tabled for two more weeks, but the ordinance remains on today’s consent agenda.
On July 30th, the Huffington Post reported that Fullilove had received death threats from her support of the non-discrimination ordinance.
