The TN Chamber of Commerce, one of the forces behind anti-gay and anti-trans legislation that repeals a gay/trans civil rights ordinance in Nashville, and bans Tennessee cities from passing any civil rights legislation ever again, has just switched gears and is now opposing the bill.
Unfortunately, the Republican governor just signed the law.
Here is the Chamber's statement:
“The Tennessee Chamber supports a standard regulatory environment at the state level as opposed to potentially conflicting local regulations covering employment practices. That principle was the only interest the Chamber had in this bill. Because HB600/SB632 has turned into a debate on diversity and inclusiveness—principles which we support—we are now officially opposing this legislation in its present form.”This is is a bit like finding a man innocent after you throw the switch to kill him. It's hard to see how any of these companies avoid blame since they're on the board of the local chamber, and their local representatives were warned about this legislation a good month ago - warned that it would repeal gay and trans rights - and they did nothing about it until it was far too late. Every single company that sits on the Tennessee chamber of commerce is responsible for this atrocity.
Adopted unanimously May 23, 2011
DEB WOOLLEY, PRESIDENT
TENNESSEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
