TENNESSEE: State Senate Advances Bill To Ban All Local LGBT Rights Laws

A Tennessee state Senate committee has advanced the bill to ban all local LGBT rights laws in the state.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers [left] of Mt. Juliet was approved 6-3 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. The companion bill passed the House 73-24 last month. The proposal would void a Nashville ordinance barring companies that discriminate against gays and lesbians from doing business with the city. Under state law it is illegal to discriminate against a person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age or national origin. The Nashville ordinance prohibits companies that discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity from receiving city contracts. It does not apply to local governments' hiring policies for their own workers. An amendment to remove Nashville from the state proposal failed.