Not The Onion: Sen. Kelsey introduces 'Turn The Gays Away' Bill: "No Goods/Services To Homosexuals"

[kpete]

Sen. Kelsey introduces 'Turn The Gays Away' Bill


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (FOX13) -

A new bill was recently introduced in the Tennessee State Legislature that, if passed, would allow people and businesses to refuse to provide goods and services to homosexuals.

It was filed by State Sen. Brian Kelsey, who represents Memphis and Germantown.

The bill notes that businesses can refuse services and goods only if it furthers a civil union, domestic partnership, or same-sex marriage. The person or business would just have to say it was against their religion. For example, if a same-sex couple wanted a cake for their wedding reception, a bakery could refuse to cater to them.

Read more: http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24698365/sen-kelsey-introduces-turn-the-gays-away-bill#axzz2t8TntUYi

[shenmue]

1. There are no words

I actually don't know enough bad words to express what this is really like.

[stranger81]

2. I think Kansas passed something like this within the last week.

Disgusting. Unfortunately, I fear the consequences if the SCOTUS gets its hands on this issue.

[hrmjustin]

3. Sounds like a sweetheart.

[bullwinkle428]

4. Okay - practical question, Senator Kelsey. Will people be required to carry "hetero" cards

and produce them in order to ensure that they're okay to receive these goods and services?

Honestly not enough of these to go around.

[Rex]

5. I thought businesses could already refuse service to anyone they wanted to?

Without rhyme or reason. Is that not true?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Not true - they can't discriminate

if the operation of the business affects interstate commerce (that's the old Heart of Atlanta Motel U.S. Supreme Court case). Also, most states have public accommodation laws that prohibit discrimination against at least some groups of people.

[Rex]

11. Thanks, I did not know that!

[Bluenorthwest]

12. Yeah they can. In Kentucky and 28 other States it is perfectly legal to discriminate in

employment and housing, much less the offering of services under their State laws and there is not a bit of Federal protection for LGBT people in those States. You can be fired and evicted for being gay in Kentucky and in those other States, the whole South plus some of their Northern allies.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. OK, I should have clarified that. The Heart of Atlanta Motel case

specifically covered racial discrimination. In some states, however, LGBT people are protected from discrimination by businesses.

[Swede Atlanta]

6. First of all as a gay couple I wouldn't want to give business

to someone who was so skewed in their thinking.

But there were similar attempts to "protect" businesses when the SCOTUS in Loving v. Virginia held that state prohibitions on mixed race marriages were unconstitutional.

Businesses across the South especially (although these prohibitions were not only a southern phenomena) clamored about their rights not to have to cater to these perversions.

This eventually quieted down.

These laws are the last gasps of a party that finds itself on the wrong side of history. They clearly realize that marriage equality will be the law of the land. So they are finding a way to allow religious bigots to continue their discrimination.

[Rex]

9. +1

nt.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. "only if it furthers a civil union, domestic partnership, or same-sex marriage"

Oh, that's different. Selective bigotry!

[CurtEastPoint]

8. If you're on Facebook, check out his page. He's not being treated nicely. Waaaah.

[KamaAina]

13. I wonder how much of Memphis he (mis)represents.

Most of Memphis is extremely liberal by TN standards; check out U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, for instance.

Germantown, on the other hand, is a white-flight suburb. I would not be surprised if this meatball's district only includes the adjacent areas of Memphis proper.

[Initech]

14. This would get overturned in SCOTUS in a 1/2 second.

But still...

[Jefferson23]

15. ....would just have to say it was against their religion. UGH!!!!!!!! n/t

[Feral Child]

16. Disgusting

Weak, ugly, demented.

[progressoid]

18. OFFS.

[pipi_k]

19. Um...I think they may

get the message eventually when business starts dropping off.

Because it won't just be gays they'll be pissing off...there are also friends and families and people who just think that sort of thing is wrong.

[indepat]

20. Is State Senator Brian Kelsey trying to win the m'f'er of the year award for extreme zealotry?

Or maybe he should just take a flying 'uck at himself.

[MissMillie]

21. So nice to see that this is the most important thing

this guy can do for his state.

[BeeBee]

22. I guess I won't be rushing to TN for my honeymoon. n/t

[mindfulNJ]

23. Best response in the comments:

"Im going to assume that in the name of equality gays will have the right to turn away heterosexuals. Damn there are going to be some butt ugly weddings and brides with no makeup or hairdos."

[BeeBee]

24. That's great! n/t