Despite resistance from the Tennessee business community and nationwide activist organizations, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has signed into law a bill proposing the eradication of anti-discrimination measures.
The bill was approved by the state legislature last week, and signifies a blow to LGBT individuals and communities who now stand unprotected by any state-enforced anti-discrimination policies. The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other initial proponents rescinded prior support for the measure after its initial passage through the legislature, and other business organizations spoke out in favor of respectful and welcoming work and community environments. However, despite waning support, Haslam has enacted the law and incurred resistance from activists like Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign.
In response to the new Tennessee law, Solmonese said that Haslam “has put discrimination ahead of the state’s values and even business interests by signing this horrible legislation.”
“Discrimination should have no place in the Volunteer State,” HRC President Solmonese explained
