Tennessee's Largest Cities' Human Rights Campaign Scores (Memphis, Knoxville: 2015, neighborhood)

[Shakeesha]

The Human Rights Campaign has released scores for Tennessee's six largest cities. Murfreesboro scored dead last at just 12 points. Nashville scored the highest at 66 points. Thoughts?

Total Scores:
Nashville: 66
Memphis: 56
Chattanooga: 35
Knoxville: 31
Clarksville: 17
Murfreesboro: 12

Murfreesboro scores low on LGBT equality

HRC's Municipal Equality Index | Human Rights Campaign

[Edgefield D]

I had posted in another thread. Nashville passed a non discrimination ordinance years ago. Then, the state legislature created a law to ban it. That portion of the survey is worth 30 points. TN cities will never have a great score. However, as a gay man....I feel pretty lucky to live in Nashville. I'm also grateful Lee Beaman does not represent me politically (even though he has an awful lot of influence over the more marginal state politicians).

[danielj72]

Murfreesboro is a nice city, and so are most of the places on that list. Tennessee is a religious conservative state that is oriented toward family values. Some people are offended by that, and that is their right. If they feel strongly enough against the predominate values of the state then they can consider moving to a place more aligned to their worldview and political outlook. Lists and studies like this are meant to shame us into conforming to the values others say we should have. Having said that I believe Tennessee is a live and let live state. I believe a gay person can live here and not be bothered or harassed and that is the way it should be. That does not mean however that a vocal minority should be able to dictate policy or values to the majority. People who do not live here should not be able place these labels on us because we don't do things the way they want us too.

[Edgefield D]

I was just talking about discrimination....nothing more nothing less...

[jabogitlu]

I believe a gay person can live here and not be bothered or harassed and that is the way it should be.

I'm sorry, but that's just not true. I am a gay man who grew up in Tennessee. My ex husband had his clothes set on fire when they were still on his body. My friends there have had death threats against their lives. I was on a date one time in Shelby Forest and we were physically prevented from leaving by rednecks in a big truck while they taunted us and called us f a g g o t s and q u e e r s and told us they were gonna beat our a s s e s. This was 2013, not 1975.

Don't be ridiculous, dude. Just because you haven't experienced discrimination doesn't mean it's not out there. Policy to protect the minority is the EXACT responsibility of the majority. Even in your so-called conservative, family-values Tennessee.

[BeeHoyal]

Being a so-called "conservative christian" means never having to be sorry for the presence of horrendous human rights violations in your area. Possibly the reason why a steeple resembles a giant dunce cap.

[mjtinmemphis]

As a gay black man I lived in memphis for five years and didn't have any issues with being gay being presented to me anymore than St. Louis or Chicago.

I would say that I dont like the politcal climate in the state. It seems so anti progressive in too many ways.

[creeksitter]

If they feel strongly enough against the predominate values of the state then they can consider moving to a place more aligned to their worldview and political outlook.

Harumph. I've lived in TN almost all my life, my business and friends are here, love the climate and scenery. Very ironic to find a transplant telling me to "love it or leave it".

Fortunately I'm not alone in feeling more inclusive. Here's a recent quote from my Mayor;

We know that a great city opens its arms to celebrate and nurture the diversity of its people – from white collar to blue collar; from labor to management; from every neighborhood north, south, east, west, and downtown; people of all races and colors; people of all abilities; gay and straight; people of all faiths; from the youngest to the oldest; from the richest to the poorest.