Though this perception of Tennessee may in fact be true; it gives us a very one sided perception of a state that has so much going for it.

Though extremists may run the state, and though there are many people who harbor anti-gay views, Tennessee is, in fact, one of the most progressive of the Southern States. To paint a picture of Tennessee as a place where only those with hate in their hearts live, is to paint those equality minded residents with a brush that does not do them justice at all.

Within this state are individuals who work day and night to advance the interests of equality and equal protections for gays and lesbians.

It was through these individuals efforts that the Metro Council of Nashville/Davidson county enacted its anti-discrimination provision (which was overturned by the state legislature).

It was through the efforts of dedicated allies in the fight for equality that the issue of Sequoyah High School’s drive to ratify a gay-straight alliance has gained national press.

And it is through the outspokenness of individuals such as Jerry Pittman Jr. and Dustin Lee that we can address head on the issue of hate-crimes in this state.

These past few years we have seen a profound shift in how we are dealing with anti-gay bigotry, for instead of staying in our closets, we will not take the degradation of our community sitting down. Instead we will stand and fight!

Tennessee is getting a bad rap, not because anything “new” is happening, but instead because we are actually doing something about what is going on, we are fighting against the forces of bigotry and hate. And, as everyone well knows, when the fight happens, the push-back is that much stronger.

This weekend, the City of Memphis and the Mid-South region are celebrating its annual Mid-South Pride. In the city which is known for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and encapsulates the reality of the civil rights struggle firsthand, LGBT people will cry out for their civil rights to be recognized.

Only blocks from the National Civil Rights museum, we will celebrate our community, and the impacts that we have made in this, and every, Mid-South city. In recognition of our struggle for societal acceptance, Memphis mayor A.C. Wharton issued a statement commemorating our celebration, a snippet of which follows:

“Mid-South Pride Festival and Parade is an annual, multicultural and educational event in Memphis that highlights the continued need for better understanding, respect, fairness, justice and equality for all people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, in the crusade to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices”

Though Tennessee may treat its LGBT citizens with condemnation and hate, it is not hopeless. Change does not come easy, but even if it did, change that comes with sacrifice is that much sweeter.

Let us rejoice that we are seeing change happen each and every day in this great state.

About the Author:

The benefit won’t become available until January 1, 2012, and while the company has yet to finalize many of the details, it has announced the expansion of its benefits program nonetheless.

The Memphis-based shipper had been coming under pressure from LGBT employees and advocacy groups to expand its health-benefits package during an annual review process.

“Several of our employees have been asking for the benefit and, because we knew the economy has improved, we’re able to expand our benefits,” said Sandra Munoz, a company spokesperson.

FedEx said it will take time to add the benefit to a package that was cut to deal with the recession, referring to the 2012 effective date. It will be extended to all 225,000 domestic employees.

The company has been offering such benefits to employees in California (where its required by law) and at the FedEx Office locations for several years.

But a lack of across-the-board coverage for same-sex partners had led to poor rankings in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. In 2007, Diversity Inc. removed FedEx from its list of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity due to the company’s failing to offer insurance coverage to same-sex partners.

The Triangle Journal has been produced monthly since 1990 by an all-volunteer staff through the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC).

In a posting on the publication’s website, Len Piechowski, president of the MGLCC writes:

“Due to a decreasing cultural reliance upon printed media and a subsequent dwindling of advertising revenues, the board of directors of Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC) has recently decided to curtail the printed version of Triangle Journal and Triangle Quarterly.

“Furthermore, the board also decided to place the online version of Triangle Journal on hiatus pending the development of a new and improved MGLCC website that will incorporate items of widespread community interest. The web site is slated for implementation in the late summer.”

The closure comes just weeks following the announcement from Window Media — which published the Washington Blade, Southern Voice, David Atlanta, South Florida Blade, 411 Magazine, Houston Voice, and the previously defunct Genre magazine — that it had shuttered operations and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Last week, the founder of Southern Voice annouced plans to launch GA Voice, a new gay publication in Atlanta. And last month, DC Agenda emerged as a new gay publication in the District of Columbia, founded by former employees of the Washington Blade.

Wesley Huggins, 22, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with vandalism, setting fire to personal property or land, and assault.

Huggins and 23-year old Ross Burton were seen by officers attempting to set fire to the gay pride flag in front of the building Wednesday morning.

When approached by the officers, the two suspects began fighting with them and attempted to disarm them. Both fled the scene, but Burton was caught a short time later and taken into custody.

Meanwhile, it was learned Thursday that Burton is a member of the Memphis-based 164th airlift wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard.

Though there is no known connection, an MGLCC billboard depicting gay local former Marine Tim Smith was destroyed in September. The billboard read, “I’m gay and I protected your freedom.”

Plainclothes officers observed Burton and another man — who fled the scene and remains at large — attempting to set fire to the rope that runs up the flag pole in front of the MGLCC.

When police officers approached the men, an altercation ensued, and one suspect attempted to disarm an officer. Additional police were dispatched and some reportedly received lacerations and abrasions from the struggle. The suspects fled, but Burton was located and arrested.

Burton is being charged with aggravated assault and vandalism under $500.

This event marks the second act of vandalism against the MGLCC in two months. In September, an MGLCC National Coming Out Day billboard at Poplar and High was destroyed. No word on whether the two crimes were related.

Full story at the Memphis Flyer.