You probably saw the story about the hardware store owner in East Tennessee who put up the sign forbidding "gays" after the Supreme Court struck down state bans on marriage by same-sex couples. 

Sadly, one the results was predictable.  The whole region was painted with the broad brush of hate, even though people in East Tennessee widely reviled the store owner's actions. 

What's actually going on with businesses in East Tennessee and the movement for equality?  David Payne, a TEP volunteer, has been actively recruiting members of Tennessee Open For Business in the Region.  Here are just a few of the recent additions to the program:

Price & Associates REALTORS®, LLC
Smoky Mountain Media Group
Positively Living
Anchors Hair Company 
Bliss Home, Market Square
James Freeman Interiors
Tennessee School of Beauty 
Three Rivers Market 
L’Espace Motorcoach
Earthbound Trading
Top Shelf Express LLC
Parlour (aka Palmer Sampson Designs)
KS Absher 
The Knoxville Pearl 
Ijams Nature Center 
AC Entertainment (Bonnaroo)
La Roy’s Hair Salon
Nothing Too Fancy 
RFC Co. dba Johnstone Supply 
Chattanooga Ghost Tours
Katherine Stinnett Photography 
Sanctuary Massage and Bodywork
Amy Petulla, Attorney/Mediator

And what do members of Tennessee Open For Business pledge?  They pledge not to discriminate against their employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity and they pledge to serve their customers without discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Any business in Tennessee can join by filling out the form at the link.