Gays are People Too

Nissan Vice President Steve Becker chairs the chamber’s board of directors…”  NPR   Mr. Reuter PLEASE call NPR and ask them to do an correction on the spelling of Mr. Becker’s name.  THX!!

NISSAN Whistleblower Explains HOW the Anti-Gay Bill Passed

“It Was a Runaway Train & the Traditionally Liberal Biased Gannett owned Tennessean ‘fueled’ it....”  Sharyn Bovat

Years ago the “political hawks” told me that it’s a  fact that “you can’t stop a moving train”.   

 

 In Tennessee corporations were “slow” to give input on the bills that lead to the desk of Governor Haslam. 

 

“Haslam noted that the state Chamber of Commerce didn’t turn against the measure until after he signed it into law, and said businesses should have voiced their concerns earlier…….“You know, you had a chance to engage in this during the legislative process, and it passed with over 70 percent majorities in both houses,” he said. “And to kind of change tracks on Monday felt a little late to me.”  The Tennessean 5-26-11

The fact is most global businesses want “uniform” laws for they have offices in many locations and it’s confusing to HR to have numerous guidelines  In this case the “slow” and quiet opinions of major corporations were heard TOO late.  The Governor is an “elected” official and he would have looked “gay” had he not signed the socially destructive legislation.  The fact is Governor Haslam has a LOT to do in Tennessee to create jobs.   He signed the lay the same day school was dismissed for many children in public schools and I believe this was done so the issue will “fade away” by the end of the holiday weekend.

 

Bottom line damage was  done due to the “limited” coverage of the bill by the dominate newspaper The Tennessean thus allowing the extremist anti-gay lobby had the opportunity to swoop in and claim victory.   Those in the Chamber in Tennessee are “innocent” EXCEPT for the “leaders”  for I heard that they helped FUEL the train that moved so quickly.

Many people are asking about the “anti-gay” bill signed into law in Tennessee ( this is one reason WHY I want to leave Tennessee.  Too many people in Tennessee are NOT tolerant of diversity.   In my case members of a “Good Ole Boy” network mad at me for being a whistle blower slandered me by telling people I was gay (Which people in “other” states can’t understand)   That slandering they did make me about my personal life made me mad &  “unemployable" in this conservative community & I will prove THAT in court.  

The fact is I’m not gay BUT I respect gays.  Some of the most hard working, creative, talented people I’ve met are gay. They are human beings & deserve to be treated as such.     

That said:  At NISSAN North America after the move to Tennessee women in management declined from 20.9% to 10%.  When I complained I was told “skirts don’t speak”  

Knowing that to get laws for Gay Rights passed you first MUST have Women’s Rights (In California women got those in the 60’s). I’m going to ask members of the gay community to assist me in getting Women’s Rights in Tennessee and then “together” we’ll fight for   One law that encourages ALL businesses in Tennessee to RESPECT for ALL People Statewide.

About the Anti-Gay Bill…..

“The measure bars local governments from establishing anti-discrimination policies with tighter limits than those set by the state. It effectively nullified an ordinance adopted earlier this year in Nashville.  Now, a list of companies, including Franklin-based Nissan North America and FedEx, which is headquartered in Memphis, are issuing statements, saying they do not support the new state law.   Both Nissan and FedEx are members of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, which actively lobbied for the measure. Nissan Vice President Steve Becker chairs the chamber’s board of directors……..”  NPR     

 

Scott Becker, Greg Morton and your Good Ole Boy buddies…. Smile and enjoy the victory against those people some of YOU call “queers”  On Tuesday you’ll hear “this HAWK Talk”.   A BUNCH of “ex NISSAN” gays are on my side.  They told me A LOT!!!! 

 

FYI- Some at NISSAN has their "personal" Facebook accounts hacked into by "off shore" vendors.  Good Ole Boy HR had no respect for the privacy of employees.  THAT was/is morally wrong!!!    Respect for Privacy is IMPORTANT!!!! 

 

 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS….It sets all policy for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry. OFFICERS. CHAIRMAN: Scott E. Becker, ... IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Gregg F. Morton, AT&T.

 

For the record I'm a Republican who supports the Chamber of Commerce for they protect business owners.  In Tennessee I believe that the Chamber leadership was "hijacked" by extremist.  I believe that reputable organization will "make change".  

 

Businesses need a "code of conduct" in reference to Diversity and "if" they are taking TAXPAYER money those businesses need to be BEYOND APPROACH.

???  what better organization to create "the code" for Respect than the Chamber.  

 

Society Matters!!!  

Have a Great Day!!

 

Sharyn Bovat

 

 

Haslam urges businesses to set own rules

3:36 AM, May. 26, 2011  |  

 

Erik Schelzig | Associated Press

Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday that he encourages businesses to adopt policies banning discrimination against gay and lesbian employees, but that he doesn’t believe local governments should be able to require those guidelines before companies can contract with them.

“We’re not in favor of discrimination in any form at all,” Haslam said. “We just think that businesses should get to decide for themselves what they have in their policies.”

No such policy exists at Pilot Flying J, the family-owned truck stop chain where Haslam was president before he was elected Knoxville mayor. The Republican governor still holds an undisclosed share in the privately held company with annual revenues of $20 billion.

“While Pilot Flying J’s anti-discrimination policy does not explicitly include sexual orientation, Pilot Flying J’s goal is to hire the best associates available it can at all times,” the company said in a statement.

Haslam told reporters that he hasn’t had second thoughts about signing into law a bill overturning Nashville’s anti-discrimination ordinance, despite several large companies and the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce publicly announcing their opposition to the measure.

Companies speaking out against the law to overrule the city include Fedex, AT&T, Whirlpool and Comcast. Franklin-based Nissan Americas issued a statement that the automaker shares “public concerns about this bill’s impact on diversity and inclusiveness.”

'Late to me'

Haslam noted that the state Chamber of Commerce didn’t turn against the measure until after he signed it into law, and said businesses should have voiced their concerns earlier.

“You know, you had a chance to engage in this during the legislative process, and it passed with over 70 percent majorities in both houses,” he said. “And to kind of change tracks on Monday felt a little late to me.”

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said he’s unhappy with the legislature’s decision to interfere with a local government decision.

“It would have been a good thing for Nashville, because it would have set Nashville off as an open inclusive city, which actually I think helps you bring business to the city,” he said.

House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, said she remains in favor of the measure overruling the local ordinance.

Associated Press writer Lucas L. Johnson II contributed to this report.

 

 

 

LINDSAY CHAPPELL

Nissan is put out with Tennessee’s anti-gay measure

May 24, 2011 - 4:15 pm ET

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NASHVILLE -- Nissan North America has given Tennessee’s more conservative politicians a thump in the forehead.

In the interest of being a good corporate citizen down here in Tennessee, and at the same time looking out for its own business interests, Nissan this week signaled to the public and to the state’s Republican governor -- Bill Haslam -- that it disapproved of what many are calling anti-gay legislation.

Despite an outcry from citizens who opposed it, Tennessee’s legislature passed a bill that would prevent cities from imposing new rules on municipal contractors that bar discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender people.

Nissan relocated its North American headquarters from California to Nashville in 2006 and is one of Tennessee’s largest private employers. It is currently investing $1.6 billion to expand its factory just outside Nashville and is expanding an engine plant in Decherd, Tenn.

On Monday, the automaker put the governor on notice that it opposed the bill.

But Haslam, who had several more days to mull it over, instead signed it into law that night, characterizing it as an effort to prevent cities from burdening small businesses with additional regulations.

“We share public concerns about this bill’s impact on diversity and inclusiveness,” Nissan said in a statement. “Nissan is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive environment for all stakeholders."

“All stakeholders” is just vague enough to include the automaker’s 8,000 Tennessee employees and its human resources managers, who recruit people from all over America.

But it could also include some of Nissan’s customers around the country who might now look askance at the automaker’s chosen home state.

David Reuter, Nissan’s chief U.S. spokesman, declined to comment on whether the new law might have any impact on Nissan’s brand image.

“We have our own very progressive and strict anti-discrimination policies here at the company that go beyond state laws,” Reuter says. “We’ll continue doing what we’re doing.”

You can reach Lindsay Chappell at lchappell@crain.com

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20110524/BLOG06/110529948/1503#ixzz1NTMCg31b

Nissan, FedEx State Opposition to Anti-Discrimination Limits

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011, by Nina Cardona

Some of Tennessee’s largest businesses are distancing themselves from a law signed into effect by Governor Bill Haslam yesterday.

The measure bars local governments from establishing anti-discrimination policies with tighter limits than those set by the state. It effectively nullified an ordinance adopted earlier this year in Nashville.

Now, a list of companies, including Franklin-based Nissan North America and FedEx, which is headquartered in Memphis, are issuing statements, saying they do not support the new state law.

Both Nissan and FedEx are members of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, which actively lobbied for the measure. Nissan Vice President Steve Becker chairs the chamber’s board of directors.

From Nissan:

“STATEMENT: NISSAN IN OPPOSITION TO HB600/SB632

“BACKGROUND: Recently a number of special interest groups in Tennessee and abroad have voiced opposition to HB600/SB632, the “Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act,” which is awaiting Governor Haslam’s signature to be signed into law. Nissan is clarifying its position on this piece of legislation and is issuing the following statement:

“STATEMENT: ‘Nissan opposes HB600/SB632. While we believe in a standard State regulatory environment, we share public concerns about this bill‘s impact on diversity and inclusiveness. Nissan is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.”

From FedEx:

“FedEx values and promotes the unique contributions, perspectives, and differences of our team members worldwide. FedEx does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

“FedEx did not lobby for Tennessee SB632/HB600 – it is our policy not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“While FedEx is a member of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, we do not support every position proposed by the Chamber.”

Gov. Haslam reverses Nashville's anti-discrimination law

3:10 AM, May. 24, 2011  |  

 

Written by

Chas Sisk | The Tennessean

Gov. Bill Haslam signed the bill reversing Metro’s new nondiscrimination ordinance, dealing a blow to opponents who had mounted a campaign urging him to veto the bill.

Haslam signed the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act, HB 600, Monday afternoon, a spokesman confirmed. The bill effectively reverses an ordinance passed by Metro Council that required contractors with the city to agree to follow Metro’s rules barring discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered people.

“Through the legislative process, he expressed concerns about the state telling local governments what to do, but he also had concerns about local governments telling businesses what to do, especially the potential burden on small businesses,” said Haslam’s spokesman, David Smith. “Ultimately, he felt the Metro ordinance went farther than federal law in regulating business policies.”

The Tennessee Equality Project condemned Haslam’s decision.

“We are disappointed the majority of the legislature and Gov. Haslam have given their assent to this repressive law,” the group said. “It encourages discrimination, restricts the power of every city and county to determine how to use its own tax dollars in government contracting and nullifies a Metro non-discrimination ordinance that was backed by over 70 Nashville congregations, businesses and community organizations.”

Haslam had until next week to decide whether to veto the legislation, which passed by more than two-thirds margins in the Republican-led state Senate and House. It bars any city or county in the state from requiring companies to follow anti-discrimination rules that go beyond the protections laid out by the state government. Haslam opted to sign the bill despite an effort by foes to persuade him to veto the measure.

Gay rights activists from across the country have been pushing companies — particularly members of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry — to issue statements against the legislation. The campaign led the chamber’s executive committee, which had supported the bill while it was in the legislature, to reverse its position Monday.

“The Tennessee Chamber supports a standard regulatory environment at the state level as opposed to potentially conflicting local regulations covering employment practices,” the executive committee said in a statement sent to members Monday afternoon. “That principle was the only interest the Chamber had in this bill. Because (the bill) has turned into a debate on diversity and inclusiveness — principles which we support — we are now officially opposing this legislation in its present form.”

A court challenge to the measure is expected.

Contact Chas Sisk at 615-259-8283