Michael Leslie

  • signed Urge Gov. Haslam to protect LGBTQ state government employees via 2019-02-13 02:13:49 -0600
    Would you want to be fired for something that had nothing to do with your job performance?

    Urge Gov. Haslam to protect LGBTQ state government employees

    Outgoing Ohio Governor John Kasich recently signed an executive order barring discrimination against state government employees on the basis of gender identity.  Discrimination based on sexual orientation was already banned. 

    Outgoing Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam could do the same for our state government employees.  Sign the petition and urge him to protect LGBTQ state government employees by executive order.  If we get 1000+ signatures, we will deliver them to the Governor's office. 

    647 signatures

    Dear Governor Haslam,

    We urge you to sign an executive order protecting Tennessee state government employees from job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the same protections that Ohio state government employees enjoy thanks to the recent executive order signed by outgoing Ohio Governor John Kasich.

    Employees of our public colleges and universities already enjoy these projections as do the public employees in Metro Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and Knox County.  Everyone deserves the opportunity to work without the fear of discrimination. 

    Thank you for considering our views.

    Add signature

  • posted about LGBTQ open letter to our fellow Tennesseans on Facebook 2016-12-20 09:51:29 -0600
    We invite people of good will throughout the state to build a stronger, inclusive, welcoming Tennessee.

    LGBTQ open letter to our fellow Tennesseans

    666 signatures

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    An open letter from Tennessee's LGBTQ community to our fellow Tennesseans

     

    As members of the LGBTQ community, we write to our fellow Tennesseans a month after the election and a month before the upcoming state legislative session.

     

    In recent weeks members of our community have experienced grave assaults on our safety and dignity.  A gay, gender nonconforming man was murdered.  A transgender woman’s car was burned. The signs and doors of a church that affirms our community have been vandalized.  A gay couple received a package with a knife sticking out and a message attached urging them to leave the state. 

     

    These attacks upon individuals and institutions have put our lives and safety at even greater risk than usual.  They contravene the welcoming traditions of hospitality for which Tennessee is known.  

     

    The time we have entered is critical.  Many are calling for healing in the wake of a divisive election. Healing is difficult while fresh wounds are being inflicted such as discriminatory state legislation.

     

    So we are speaking out for our safety, dignity, and equal rights under the law.

     

    Our struggle is not against your values, unless you value discrimination.  LGBTQ Tennesseans are your neighbors, your family members, your health care providers, firefighters, grocery clerks, teachers, elected officials, and we fill many other roles vital to the life of small towns and large cities.  Many of us grew up and continue to be active in the same faith communities as you.  

     

    In the long story of our community’s struggles, we have relied on our own strength to sustain us.  We have also experienced the joy of  working with countless allies.  Now is a time for allies to speak out with us and we  invite people of good will throughout the state to build a stronger, inclusive, welcoming Tennessee to meet our state’s common challenges together.

    If you share these values and priorities, we invite you to add your name to this letter.

    Add signature

  • signed No special legislative session for bathroom discrimination! 2016-05-21 11:04:35 -0500
    Michael Leslie

    No special legislative session for bathroom discrimination!

    On the evening of May 17, The Tennessean and The Commercial Appeal reported that legislators are considering a special legislative session to take up a new effort to pass a statewide anti-transgender bathroom discrimination law.  Sign YOUR name to the statement below and we'll deliver your signatures to legislative leaders:

    1,074 signatures

    Dear Speaker Ramsey and Speaker Harwell:

    We oppose a special legislative session to consider an anti-transgender bathroom discrimination law.  It is never justified to spend the state's time and money to advance discrimination.  Thank you for considering our views.

    Add signature

  • signed Governor Haslam, Keep listening and oppose HB2414 2016-04-17 20:20:10 -0500
    Transgender citizens are NOT second class citizens. Don’t target them — treat all citizens equally!

    Governor Haslam, Keep listening and oppose HB2414

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    Sign this NEW petition urging Governor Bill Haslam to keep listening to the voices opposed to the anti-transgender student bathroom bill!

    1,533 signatures

    Governor Haslam, please continue to oppose HB2414 and listen to the voices of transgender students and the business community speaking out against the bill.  Thank you for considering our views.

    Add signature

  • posted about VETO Hate Bill 1840, the Counseling Discrimination bill on Facebook 2016-04-06 11:21:00 -0500
    Sign the petition: VETO Hate Bill 1840, the Counseling Discrimination bill.

    VETO Hate Bill 1840, the Counseling Discrimination bill

     

    Please, add your voice and urge Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to veto this discriminatory bill.

    4,242 signatures

    Dear Governor Haslam,

    We urge you to veto HB1840, which allows counselors to turn away clients based on the counselor's biases and values.  This bill puts the focus on the desires of counselors rather than on the needs of clients, damaging the counseling profession and putting clients at risk. 

    An anti-bullying amendment was stripped from the bill in the House Health Committee leaving youth vulnerable in areas where mental health services are not widely available.

    Thank you for considering our views.

    Add signature

  • commented on Tennessee clergy oppose HB1840, the counseling discrimination bill 2016-04-03 15:43:08 -0500
    I have a degree in psychology from a church sponsored college in Tennessee and I see no need for HB1840. Counselors are trained to deal with differences and to rise above their own prejudices. There is no need for legislators to interfere with the counselor’s professional code of ethics which states counselors do not condone or engage in discrimination based on religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. It’s hard enough for people to get help in Tennessee where many areas are without mental health coverage. As a former youth minister, in crisis situations it is critical to provide help when it is sought. A suicidal teen turned away because of their religious affiliation may not have time to seek out another counselor. HB1840 is discriminatory, divisive and represents an unnecessary and dangerous government overreach.
  • posted about Governor Haslam, Fight for trans students and against SB2387/HB2414 on Facebook 2016-03-21 10:42:38 -0500
    Sign the petition: Governor Haslam, Fight for trans students and against SB2387/HB2414

    Governor Haslam, Fight for trans students and against SB2387/HB2414

    Please, join us in encouraging Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to fight against this attack on transgender students.

    984 signatures

    Dear Governor Haslam,

    We call on you to do everything in your power to lobby against passage of SB2387/HB2414, the anti-transgender student bathroom bill.  We also ask that you VETO the bill if it reaches your desk. 

    The bill endangers vulnerable students and it risks significant U.S. Department of Education funds to Tennessee.  If this bill became law, the enforcement would be a nightmare for school districts across the state. 

    Show the world that Tennessee is a welcoming state.  Thank you for considering our views.

    Add signature

  • posted about Marriage PLUS Pledge on Facebook 2015-06-07 20:20:43 -0500
    I pledge to continue to work for full legal and lived equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Tennessee after we achieve marriage equality.

    Marriage PLUS Pledge

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    MARRIAGE PLUS PLEDGE

    I pledge to continue to work for full

    legal and lived equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender

    people in Tennessee after we achieve marriage equality.  

    I recognize that we have more work to do on job discrimination, public

    accommodations discrimination, housing discrimination, safe

    schools/anti-bullying, bisexual erasure and visibility, health disparities,

    domestic violence, senior care, HIV/AIDS, hate crimes, documents for

    transgender people, and other issues.

    Endorse

Jesus Follower in Process. Theologian. Ecumenical & Interfaith-Minded. He/Him. #BlackLivesMatter #FaithfullyLGBT
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