Recent Comments
Re: “Christian Right Drums Up Support for Anti-Gay Counseling Bill”
Actually, such a doctor would be doing both: exercising his 1st Amdt rights AND violating his code of ethics. The two are not mutually exclusive, and once again, freedom of speech/expression is NOT the same thing as freedom of consequences for that speech.
Re: “Under New Rewrite, 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Takes Devious Twist”
Stopthehate, as a gay man, I can answer that, speaking for myself.
I live in Nashville proper...I've lived here since I left south Georgia in 1992 to attend school. If you're not aware, Music City is a bright blue dot in a sea of red. I love it here. The people are warm and welcoming, the culture is vibrant, the area is beautiful. Our local government is largely GLBT supportive from the City Council to the Mayor's office. Though Nashville is the "Buckle of the Bible Belt", even a great many area churches are gay-accepting or even gay-affirming. I can honestly say that I've never felt myself to be a victim of discrimination, barring the occasional @$$#01e (usually from out-of-town) deciding he needs let the "queers" know he hates 'em.
On the state level, clearly the situation is very different. Tennessee IS a very red state. The GOP now holds super-majorities in both houses of the General Assembly giving them the ability to shove through pretty much any bass-ackwards legislation they see fit. They've gerrymandered the state to pieces. The more rural parts of the state are NOT gay-friendly and the churches in those areas do tend to be much less accepting than those in the city.
Why do I stay? Well, beside the overly simplistic "I like it here", I don't believe it's appropriate to simply pack my bags because life here isn't all rainbows & dance music. Contrary to what you opine, I do NOT believe that "the South is becoming more bigoted" (polls back that up) and certainly don't believe that the fix for that if it were true would be to head for greener pastures. Every study or survey ever done clearly says that a person is much, MUCH more likely to be GLBT friendly if he or she has a positive relationship with a GLBT person. How would that happen if we all headed north?
Then, consider those not able to relocate. Sorry, but for many, it's not just hard to move, it's simply not possible. Many adults have familial ties to the area, careers that do not allow them to just pick up and move, financial situations that just don't allow the enormous expenses involved in moving one's life. And what about the kids? Minors are pretty irrevocably tied to living wherever their parents are, and few parents are going to be willing to relocate to accomodate a GLBTQ child wanting to move. So, if those of us that are able to move (and keep in mind that generally speaking, those that are able to move are typically those with the most power & influence) all leave the area, where does that leave the others? They would then face an even more hostile situation, with even less ability as a community to deal with it. The children would face the same (or worse) bullying without the safe havens that GLBT community centers provide. Adults would have to deal with discrimination without a strong GLBT community backing them up & fighting for change.
Nope, while it's nice to daydream about living in an area that would be 100% supportive (where would that be anyway, Sweden?) it's simply not realistic, desirable, or responsible. Far better to withstand what one can and fight for a better situation for all.
Re: “Haslam's Meteoric Rise: From Unknown Dweeb to White House Contender in Two Weeks”
"...Haslam hasn't flipped-flopped back and forth like the Mittster. He hasn't taken any positions at all. That's the beauty of his potential candidacy."
Isn't "take no positions!" how he got his current gig?
Re: “New Anti-Gay Bill Passes Senate Committee; Should State's Psychology Students Learn to Pray Away the Gay?”
So what's next, a bill to allow doctors with "deeply held religious beliefs" to pass on treating patients with STDs since they were OBVIOUSLY involved in sexual immorality??
Re: “Red [Closed]”
Red has been closed for several years...it was replaced by Suzy Wong's House of Yum
Re: “Ignoring Critics, Floyd Repeats Threat Against Transgender People”
No kidding. It would definitely be interesting to see the old codger actually try to put his money where his fat mouth is.
Re: “Senate Adopts 'Pray Away the Gay' Bill”
@Cleveland...that's a pretty naive set of statements there. Someone who had a "bad experience with...welders" that they've been unable to get over to the point you describe probably shouldn't be counseling ANYONE. Similarly, someone who lets their personal prejudices get in the way of professional ethics should probably not be counseling or treating anyone.