Sunday, May 31, 2009
Non-Discrimination Support Rally Draws Over 500 People
Posted by Bianca Phillips on Sun, May 31, 2009 at 3:13 PM
"Scream it loud enough that they can hear you at Bellevue Baptist Church!" yells Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy, the sponsor of a non-discrimination ordinance that would protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender workers in Shelby County government.
The crowd at Sunday's Unity Rally is gathered in support of Mulroy's ordinance, which will go before the Shelby County Commission for a vote on Monday afternoon. Currently, there are no local, state, or federal laws to prohibit an employer from not hiring or firing someone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
Supporters wave signs reading "Work for Equality" and "End Workplace Discrimination." Joining Mulroy on First Congo's steps are ordinance supporters State Senator Beverly Marrero and former Shelby County Commissioner Walter Bailey.
"The intent of this ordinance is solely to level the playing field," Bailey tells the enthusiastic crowd. "Employees shouldn't be judged on their sexual orientation, but their job performance. That's what counts."
About 20 opponents of the non-discrimination ordinance, most of them Baptist pastors, gathered last Tuesday for a press conference outside the Shelby County Building. That opposition rally paled in comparison to the hundreds of rainbow flag-waving, sign-bearing participants of Sunday's support rally.
"We make last Tuesday's press conference look like nothing, don't we?" Mulroy says, igniting cheers from the crowd.
The ordinance failed in county commission last Wednesday, after several commissioners cited religious reasons for not supporting workplace protections for gays. However, the full commission will vote on the ordinance Monday afternoon. The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m.
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What more can you expect from Bellevue aka "Six Flags Over Jesus"? After all, they only recently admitted slavery was wrong. Have you noticed they strategically placed their version of the Holy Land as far away from those who need Jesus the most? I really don't think any of those struggling to find "the way" have A way to get that far down the expressway. Modern Golgotha's such as this is why I hope I'm here for the rapture. I can't wait to wave "bye-bye" to their masses as I'm on my way home with Jesus!
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