- FAST FACTS:
- Substitute resolution replaced ordinance
- Crowd passionately debated both sides
- Gay-Rights Advocates are pleased with resolution
tom.powell@wreg.com
(MEMPHIS June 1, 2009 10:16 PM) -- The Shelby County Commission passed an Anti-Discrimination Resolution Monday which states, "The discrimination against any Shelby County Government employee on the basis of non-merit factors shall be prohibited."
The vote was nine in favor, four against.
The resolution substituted an ordinance presented by Commissioner Steve Mulroy. Mulroy's original ordinance used more specific language, saying discrimination "on the basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression is prohibited."
According to the County Attorney, the resolution that passed cannot be enforced in court, it doesn't call for fines, but he believes it still provides protection to GLBT county employees who could use the resolution as evidence in a hearing to determine if they were wrongly terminated.
Commissioner Wyatt Bunker, who organized a media conference to oppose the original ordinance last week, said he just as strongly opposes the substitute resolution. He spoke to reporters after it passed. "It's disappointing," he said. "This is exactly the same resolution, just in general terms."
Commissioner Mulroy supported the substitute resolution, and called Monday a historic day in Shelby County. "What we've done, for the first time in Tennessee history, is a local government has made it the official policy, that their government employees will be protected against all types of discrimination, including members of the GLBT community," he said.
