Fat Tuesday won’t come around until March 8th this year, but in true Mardi Gras style, the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) is starting the party early.
On Sunday, February 20th, TEP is hosting its annual Mardi Gras party and Gumbo Tasting Competition at the Hi-Tone (1913 Polar). The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Bring your appetite.
You won’t have to chase down the ice cream man (or woman) this Sunday. Save your energy and drive to First Congregational Church for the Tennessee Equality Project‘s Ice Cream Sundae Social on Sunday, June 27th.
Ten bucks (or $25 for families) buys several flavors of ice cream and toppings. There’s also face painting and games for the kids. If you’re thinking $10 is a little too much to pay for an ice cream cone, remember that the money benefits the equal rights lobbying work by the Tennessee Equality Project.
The social runs from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page.
According to Nashville’s Out & About newspaper, Nashville Metro council member Megan Barry plans to file a non-discrimination ordinance Tuesday, July 14th that would protect Metro government employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The ordinance is similar to one passed by the Shelby County Commission last month. The Nashville chapter of the Tennessee Equality Project has been working toward getting this ordinance to the council since last year.
Though Shelby County beat Nashville in passing such workplace protections, the Nashville Metro Council has dealt with the issue before. In 2003, a similar proposal failed on the second reading when then-vice mayor Howard Gentry cast the tie-breaking vote. Out & About reports that he later apologized for the “no” vote when he ran for mayor in 2007.
It looks like the Nashville ordinance may have some dissenters again this time around. Councilman Michael Craddock is proposing government employees take sensitivity courses as an alternative to workplace protections.
The Nashville City Paper reports that Metro council members Tim Garrett, Ronnie Steine, and Jerry Maynard are also sponsors of the non-discrimination ordinance.