A Faith-Based Perspective on Ending Anti-LGBT Discrimination in Nashville

We've been covering potential legislation in Nashville that would require all contractors and vendors with the city to adhere to an anti-discrimination policy that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. For the most part we know why legislation like this is important: it sends the message that Nashville values all of its residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity; it shows that diversity and inclusion are good for business; and it shows that in even some of the redder states in the country, we can make real progress for equal rights.

Opponents of this legislation often cite faith as one of their primary reasons for fighting an expansion of Nashville's anti-discrimination ordinance. Indeed, one Metro Council member who has come down hard in opposition to this legislation even went so far to say: "Jesus said it. Love your neighbor. He didn’t say endorse their lifestyle."

With comments like that floating around, it's no wonder some people assume that people of faith are hostile to LGBT equality. But in reality, of course, there are plenty of people of faith not only willing to stand up for their LGBT brothers and sisters, but willing to be on the frontlines of the march for equality.

There's a great essay over on Just Nashville by a pastor (Pastor Jay) who talks about why he supports efforts in Nashville to expand the city's nondiscrimination ordinance to apply to vendors and contractors. The pastor does an amazing job getting two things across. First is that in his faith tradition (he's a Methodist), it is absolutely consistent for people of faith to oppose discrimination against LGBT people. He cites official teachings of the United Methodist Church:

"Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons,” he writes, quoting from the United Methodist Book of Discipline. "We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting the rightful claims where people have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law.”

Amen to that.

But the second point this pastor makes is that with regards to the legislation before Nashville's Metro Council, it's important to remember that in the end, religion has very little to do with whether tax dollars should support businesses that discriminate against citizens. Rather, as the pastor notes, it's a question of equity within a secular society.

"Certainly religious groups have the grounds for serious discussion related to sexual orientation and practice as it relates to their practice of faith. But this is about how some are discriminated against in the public sphere, and our city leaders are being asked to decide whether discrimination of this type will be supported in Nashville with our tax dollars. In the end it is a question of treating all in a secular society with equity, which I as a pastor, and the denomination that I am a part of, supports," he writes.

Powerful stuff that gets to the core of why legislation like that before Nashville's Metro Council is so important. The legislation will come up for a vote one more time, in March. If you haven't yet added your voice in support of this legislation, please do so here.

Photo credit: Randy OHC