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Tracy Morgan Apologizes to Fans, LGBT Groups Nashville

30 Rock star Tracy Morgan has delivered a personal apology today in Nashville, the site of his now infamous stand-up routine where he said that he would stab his son if he were gay, reports the AP.

Comedian Tracy Morgan has delivered a personal apology to gay advocacy groups and audience members in Nashville, Tenn., who were offended by an anti-gay rant during his June 3 show there. Morgan met with them Tuesday morning and later addressed reporters at the Nashville Convention Center. He did not take questions.

Morgan said: "I just wanted to take this opportunity to help and not hurt."

This is the second stop in Mogan's mea culpa tour after his offensive and violent rant. On Friday, the comedian visted the Ali Forney Center in Brooklyn to hear the stories of homeless LGBT teens rejected by their families.

Tracy Morgan Meets with Homeless LGBT Teens at the Ali Forney Center

Tracy Morgan continues his mea culpa after unleashing a vitriolic, on-stage anti-gay rant. The 30 Rock star visted the Ali Forney Center in Brooklyn to hear the stories of homeless LGBT teens rejected by their families.

Nineteen-year-old Raciel Castillo said his own father rejected him for being gay when he came out at age 12, sending him to therapy to “fix him” and eventually putting him out on the street. Castillo told his story to Morgan, as did Jayden Love [above], 20 years old, also shut out by her family [and] forced to live in an amusement park in New Jersey where she worked.

Also on hand was Elke Kennedy, whose son Sean died in an anti-gay attack in South Carolina in 2007.

Morgan spent an hour with the group, eventually leaving in tears, said [Carl Siciliano, executive director of the Ali Forney Center]. Those on hand told the Journal that they believe the comedian sincerely wants to heal his rift with the gay community. He did not make any comments to the press.

Love said she wanted to help him realize the sheer enormity of the homeless problem for gay and lesbian youth, who are more likely than straight kids to end up on the streets or commit suicide. "I told him what a low place I had been in without parents to help me," Love said. "I think he was really shocked."

The comedian caused a huge uproar after ranting on-stage in Nashville that he would stab his son to death if he were gay. Morgan said his remarks were "really stupid s---" and promised to meet with LGBT youth.Morgan is scheduled to travel to Tennessee with GLAAD next week to meet with LGBT activists.

Bravo.

Tennessee Gov Signs Bill to Void LGBT Anti-Discrimination Laws

Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Haslam has ignored some of his state's largest employers and signed a law that strips the power of local governments to create anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than the state's.

The law would effectively "void" a Nashville LGBT non-discrimination ordinance "that required contractors with the city to agree to follow [its] rules barring discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgendered people," reports The Tennesseean.

The 2009 ordinance that passed in Nashville covering city employees reamins in effect.

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry originally lobbied for the bill. Nissan, Alcoa, AT&T, Comcast, DuPont, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caterpillar, FedEx, United HealthCare and Whirlpool sit on the executive committee.

LGBT netroots activists have pressured companies to distance themselves from the legislation. The TCCI reversed its position earlier today.

"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 released late Monday. "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."

Tennessee is one of almost 30 states that have no statewide protections for sexual orientation or gender identity.

It's been a busy week for the homophobes at the Tennessee state house. Only days ago, the Senate voted 20-10 for the outrageous "Don't Say Gay Bill" which would prohibit any discussion of homosexuality before high school. That bill is likely dead for the year because the House version was withdrawn.

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TN Sen Votes to Void LGBT Anti-Discrimination Laws
TN Senate Votes 20-10 for "Don't Say Gay" Bill

Tennessee Senate Votes 20-10 for "Don't Say Gay" Bill

The Tennessee Senate has passed the outrageous "Don't Say Gay Bill" which would prohibit any discussion of homosexuality before high school, report the Commercial Appeal and The Tennesseean.

Senators voted 20-10 Friday morning to pass Senate Bill 49, known by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, after accepting a new amendment that says the measure would only ban discussion in prepared materials and instruction. Democrats opposed to the measure argued it would muddy state laws that already restrict sex education in middle and elementary school.

"We have said we should not have age inappropriate material in K through 8," said Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga. "What we're doing here is passing something just to pass it."

The bill is likely dead for the year. Companion legislation in the House has not advanced out of committee. "But its sponsor has said he will bring it up again next year if the Senate version passes," reports the Commercial Appeal.

More developments on another evil piece of anti-gay legislation in Tennessse. Last week the Senate overwhelmingly passed a law that prohibits local governments from creating anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than the state's. This would effectively "void" a Nashville LGBT non-discrimination ordinance that covers contractors.

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, which is headed by Nissan, heavily lobbied for the bill, reports AMERICABlog. Alcoa, AT&T, Comcast, DuPont, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caterpillar, FedEx, KPMG, United HealthCare and Whirlpool sit on the board.

Very surprising news on the part of FedEx, which is the largest private employer in Memphis. Last year the company announced that it would offer health care benefits to same-sex domestic partners. "It will be extended to all 225,000 domestic employees. Here in Memphis, that means about 30,000 people," FOX 13 reported at the time.

AMERICABog has started an online campaign to pressure the governor to veto the bill.

TN Senate Votes 21-8 to Void Local LGBT Anti-Discrimination Laws

A setback for equality in the mid-South. The Tennessee Senate overwhelmingly passed a law that strips the power of local governments to create anti-discrimination laws that are stricter than the state's. The law would effectively "void" a Nashville LGBT non-discrimination ordinance that covers contractors, reports the AP.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mae Beavers of Mt. Juliet was approved on Thursday. The companion bill passed the House 73-24 last month. Lawmakers must now work out differences before the measure goes to the governor for his consideration.

The Nashville ordinance prohibits companies that discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity from receiving city contracts. It does not apply to local governments' hiring policies for their own workers.

The vote was 19-8, reports The Tennessean. The bill was passed only five weeks ago by the Metro Council.

Metro Councilman Jamie Hollin supported the ordinance and was outraged at the vote. "This is nothing more than homophobia hidden behind a red herring argument of protecting business," he said. "If they really are concerned with homogeneity for businesses in Tennessee, they would pass a law that requires uniform zoning statewide."