The art of theatre exists to shine a light into even the darkest corners of human existence. It is an exercise in examining our culture and the social rules that govern our lives.

A team of playwrights created The Laramie Project in 1999 to explore the events leading up to, and the reactions following, the death of Matthew Shepard on October 12, 1998. It is widely believed that the gay University of Wyoming student was brutally beaten and killed in a homophobic hate crime.

Matthew Shepard (1976 - 1998)

The Tectonic Theatre Project used hundreds of interviews, news reports, and company members’ journal entries to create the Laramie Project. For a decade, this play has provided an intimate perspective on the life of Matthew Shepard, and the lives and attitudes of his community. Ten years later, the group revisited the community of Laramie, Wyoming, and created a new work to reflect on the ten years that have passed since Matthew Shepard’s murder.

On October 12, 2009, the Roxy Regional Theatre will be one of only 100 theatres across the United States to produce a staged reading of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. Join us for this landmark event, held on the 11th anniversary of Shepard’s death.

The performance will be at 7pm. Tickets are $20 suggested donation. Purchase online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, or call (931) 645-7699 during regular box office hours (9am-2pm, weekdays).

A cornerstone of entertainment in historic downtown Clarksville, the Roxy Regional Theatre delivers live professional productions with skilled and experienced actors from across the United States. Roxy Regional Theatre is located at 100 Franklin Street.

The concert is part of a series of events beginning on Wednesday, October 22nd, all to be held at the 2nd Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd., in Nashville. The church says on its website that it welcomes anyone to join them in their journey of faith, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic or family status, ethnic background, mental or physical abilities.

Boltz will perform as the headlining event of the conference. The event’s website lists a brief biography of the world-reknown Gospel singer:

Ray Boltz has dedicated over fifteen years to music and ministry. Through these years he has captured the attention of the CCM industry by garnering three Dove Awards, two gold albums, a gold video, and twelve number one singles. He has also sold more than four million units of product. Through all this time and these accomplishments Ray’s vision for his ministry still remains the same…to produce and perform music that allows listeners and audiences to see Jesus. Ray thanks everyone who has continued to show Christ’s love during his coming out announcement and looks forward to his return to Nashville to perform at Our Family Matters, the one event that brings all of God’s diversity together in faith, hope, joy and love.

Other featured speakers and singers throughout the four-day event will include ex-gay survivor Peterson Toscano, Dr. Jack Rogers, Mary Lou Wallner, the Holy Trinity Church Choir, and Michael Popham.

Toscano will headline Thursday’s events which are focused on helping those who have wrestled with their sexual orientation and have considered going through ex-gay “ministries,” which generally do more harm than good, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The evening will also focus on helping those who have endured such ministries and will work to help bring healing:

(Thursday) night is dedicated to those persons who have physically, emotionally and spiritually attempted to change who they are, trying to fix what isn’t broke within themselves. Survivors convene for the first time on this side of the country to share their stories, heal intimacy trauma, freeing them to move on and become more of who they are as a unified person created whole and complete.

Peterson Toscano, founder of Beyond Ex-Gay, is an actor and playwright. A short version of his bio as listed on the God and Gays website, which says:

As a gay man, Peterson’s journey out of the closet has been long and complicated. After years of submitting to reparative therapy through counseling, ex-gay support groups, and even three exorcisms, Peterson enrolled in the ex-gay residential program, Love in Action. He graduated successfully from the program nearly two years later, but in January of 1999 he finally came OUT and fully accepted himself as a gay man.

The conference will also feature a screening of the film God and Gays: Bridging the Gap on Friday, October 25th.

• Did you know that a Tennessee State Constitutional amendment was devised and passed which took away your rights of marrying the person of your choice? These rights were written into our constitution and taken away from us. When I say “us,” I mean all of us. We are now constitutionally restricted as to whom we can marry.
• Did you know that Stacey Campfield, a Representative from a district that lies hundreds of miles from Clarksville, tried to legislate the removal of all mention of GLBT families and life from elementary and middle school curricula in the State of Tennessee?
• Did you know that a couple of legislators from Memphis, once again hundreds of miles from Clarksville, tried to legislate who can adopt children? I don’t think that you’ll be happy to know that it was their idea that only legally married couples can adopt children.
• Did you know that we live in the only state in the entire USA that has legislation on the books that says that you canot change the sex on your birth certificate? The only state in the entire country?

I know that you’ve heard and read about equality groups and thought “this has nothing to do with me.” You might think “just as long as I can go have a good time with my friends and meet new people, I’m fine.” Well, I’d like to challenge you to look beyond yourself. For example, there are people in your community who want to marry. There are children in your community who need to learn that being GLBT is not wrong, bad, immoral or “simply something that you shouldn’t talk about.” There are single men and women, gay and straight; and unmarried couples, gay and straight; right here in Clarksville, who almost lost their rights to adopt children. Clarksville has the shame of being one of the largest cities in a state that has the shining reputation of being the only state in the entire country with legislation on the books that says that you cannot change the sex on your birth certificate.

Haven’t heard enough? Let’s take it one step further. Imagine your straight brother, sister or friend being denied the opportunity to adopt a child because a man out in Memphis decides that he or she is incapable to be a parent. What about your friends who have been together for twenty years? No go, they don’t qualify.

How would you feel if your niece or nephew were taught in school that your sexual orientation is something that cannot be mentioned?

Is it hitting home now? It should be hitting home now. In fact, you should be concerned. The last three facts that I mentioned are examples of situations from the year 2008, not the year 1958. Considering that, can you imagine what might be introduced in the 2009 Legislative Session?

Now, you might be able to see my logic that an equality group has everything to do with you, your ability to have a good time with your friends and meeting new people. It has everything to do with the relationships that you have with your family. It has everything to do with what children are being taught in schools. It has everything to do with how the rest of the country looks at the State of Tennessee—your home.

We’re fighting so that you can have a family, we’re fighting so that children will have healthy attitudes toward you, we’re fighting so that you can be proud to say that you’re from a state where oppressive, backwards laws are on not on the books. We’re fighting so that even more bizarre legislation will not pass in the 2009 session.

We’re also fighting to help you in positive ways, providing opportunities for you to have the same rights as other residents of Montgomery County.

Sounds great? Of course it does. Here’s the down side. We need your help and it’s not coming through. The GLBT and allied communities in the Clarksville area needs to help us because Clarksville, unfortunately, is not our only battleground. Tennessee is a huge state. There are more than 500 miles to cover from Bristol to Memphis. We need to rely on local people to help us make Clarksville a better place. We’ll set you up. We’ll give you guidance. We’ll hold your hand through the initial learning process. But, we need local people to make this work for Clarksville. Be proud of your community and be proud to be a GLBT Clarksvillian. Write to me at to show us that you care about your community. We’ll put you to work and give you only the amount of work that you think that would interest you.

Adoption Bill

Tennessee *HB3713 / SB3910, prohibits “any individual who is co-habitating in a sexual relationship outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of this state from adopting a minor.” At present, both bills are stalled in Senate and House committees. The passing of the adoption bill would negatively affect the GLBT community in Montgomery County, as per constitutional law, the State does not permit the marriage of same-sex couples. At the present time, a fiscal note of more than 7.4 million dollars is attached to this legislation. This means that the State estimates that more than 4.5 million dollars of additional expenditures will mount, as a result of the passing of this legislation. In addition to the State expenditures, an increase in Federal expenditures of almost 3 million dollars is estimated. Passage of this legislation would have a negative impact on the State of Tennessee and the federal government.

Amendment of Birth Certificates

Tennessee SB4052/*HB3907 “authorizes certain persons to change the sex designation on their birth certificate.” At present, both bills are under consideration in Senate and House committees. The passing of these bills would positively affect the transgender community in Montgomery County and the surrounding area. It would provide the opportunity for a citizen who changes his or her gender to change their sex to apply for an amendment to their birth certificate to indicate choice of sex.

TEP invites you to become involved in promoting equality in your local community. Please join us at our meeting on Monday, April 21. If you have any questions about our organization, please contact us at . To R.S.V.P. for the meeting, please send a message to .

The Tennessee Equality Project is a 501c4 organization incorporated in Tennessee. Gifts to TEP are not deductible for purposes of federal income tax.

Campfield (at right), during his short tenure in the House, has gained a reputation for introducing controversial, if not peculiar, legislation that many view as antagonistic and bizarre. His past history of failed attempts to limit academic freedom are also well known. In 2005, he introduced HB0432, which was an attempt to limit instructional content by specifically denying classroom teachers the opportunity to express their own personal beliefs with regards to the material that they present. At the same time, Campfield made it clear that he felt as though students should have the right to “speak without fear of hurting their grades.” Many view this as an attempt to legitimatize the rights of free speech for students, but to limit them for classroom instructors.

Last year, Campfield has introduced legislation calling for the removal of the sales tax on food, replacing the lost revenue to the state with additional taxes on pornography. As a Christian, he justifies the potential for financial gain through the taxation of an industry that many of his fellow Christians would call immoral, by defining it as a “luxury item.” Many viewed this legislation as an attempt to give good reason for the sale of pornographic materials and the peddling of human flesh through a motive to fill the State’s coffers.

His most recent attempt to pass a enact HB2997 has, according to many in the media, left equality leaders scratching their heads. Here is the full wording of the bill:

HOUSE BILL 2997

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10, relative to education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-1005, is amended by adding the following as new subsection (c) and by relettering the existing subsection (c) accordingly:

(c) The general assembly recognizes the sensitivity of certain subjects that are best explained and discussed in the home. Human sexuality is an immensely complex subject with enormous societal, scientific, psychiatric and historical implications that are best understood by children with sufficient maturity to grasp such issues. Notwithstanding law to the contrary, no public elementary or middle school shall permit any instruction or materials discussing sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

In a manner consistent with his other attempts to pass legislation, Campfield expresses in his daily blog that certain segments of the public clearly misunderstand his motives: “Some people have tried to paint it as anti-gay. It is not.” In an attempt to justify his position, he seems to differentiate terminology into two categories: permissible and impermissible. He clearly limits “the topics of sexual orientation” as “topics best left to parents and guardians,” to the exclusion of schools, community leaders and the clergy. He justifies his exclusion of discussion of orientations other than heterosexuality as a need to “concentrate on the basics,” and to teach heterosexuality as the basis for the biology of sexual reproduction. He also states that:

“Without allowing reference to heterosexuality then I am sure some group would sue the state [sic] and say that we can no longer teach “Jack and Jill went up the hill” or how George and Martha Washington were husband and wife because they would say it promotes heterosexuality. You may laugh but these types of things are already happening [sic] in some states.”

This and many other statements regarding curricular innovation are on Mr. Campfield’s blog site.

Tennessee Equality Project responds

The Tennessee Equality Project, a 501c4 organization incorporated in Tennessee for the specific purpose of advancing and protecting the rights of LGBT citizens, is presently attempting to fight the passage of HB2997.

Chris Sanders, TEP’s Chair and President, said the organization is clearly opposed to HB2997 and its companion bill SB3733, introduced by Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland).

The Tennessee Equality Project opposes the bill because it is not only “overly broad in scope,” but that it seems to be a “bill in search of a problem” as it does not demonstrate adequate evidence of problematic discussion of any sexuality in K-8 instruction. In other words, Campfield has not reasonably justified a need for amending the Tennessee State Code.

Sanders continues by stating that the bills “inhibit the free speech of communities, teachers and leaders,” which seems to be consistent with a good amount of the criticism levied against Campfield’s legislation. He notes that there are inconsistencies in these bills, and specifically that “they contradict their own reasoning by saying on the one hand that sexuality is complex and then seeking to reduce that complexity to heterosexuality on the other hand.”

Additionally, it is worthy of mention that Campfield himself seems to criticize his own logic in saying that teaching about sexual orientation is unnecessary, as it is complex, yet teaching about heterosexuality is necessary as a basis for instruction on sexual reproduction. Succinctly, according to Sanders, the bills “contradict the spirit of education, which requires open discussion of the various branches of knowledge in the search of truth.”

The Tennessee Equality Project plans to voice their opinions regarding this and other proposed legislation that would affect the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities at their annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill on February 19, 2008. If you are interested in participating, or if you would like further information regarding TEP, please contact Todd Hughes at .

The Tennessee Equality Project is a 501c4 organization incorporated in Tennessee. Gifts to TEP are not deductible for purposes of federal income tax.

Their goal is for people from the Clarksville, Montgomery County area to participate in their Feb 19 Advancing Equality Day on the Hill event. This Lobbying 101 session will prepare you to be able to actively participate.  

Sexuality based attacks have already begun in the Tennessee Legislature for the 2008 term, and illustrate why this proactive approach is necessary.

For additional information or any other questions, please contact Middle Tennessee Coordinator Todd Hughes at . 

The Tennessee Equality Project is a 501c4 organization incorporated in Tennessee.  Gifts to TEP are not deductible for purposes of federal income tax.

First, according to the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the following are the particulars regarding adoption by same sex couples in our state:

• Single GLBT people may adopt children
• There is no explicit prohibition against adoption for same-sex couples;
• It is unclear as to whether or not a person can adopt the child of a same-sex partner.

Second, there are currently no bills in the Legislature that would restrict the rights of GLBT individuals or couples to adopt.

So, where’s the “problem” and why are we talking about a “battle?”

In a response to a request by Wilson County Circuit Judge Clara Byrd, Tennessee’s Attorney General Bob Cooper made a ruling on October 11 regarding the position of the state’s constitution on adoption by same-sex couples. Cooper, in his response, stated that it was his opinion that provided that it is in the best interest of the child, gay couples can adopt in the State of Tennessee. He found nothing in the adoption statutes that would challenge the joint adoption of a child by a gay or lesbian couple.

Because of this ruling, a push has begun to ban gay adoption. Glen Casada (R), Representative from the 63rd District of Tennessee, has indicated in a recent [Nashville] City Paper article that he will introduce legislation against adoption by gay parents in the 2008 legislation session, beginning on January 8.

Representative Casada’s quixotic pursuit, intending to introduce discriminatory legislation, is not new. In 2005, he co-sponsored a bill, which attempted to achieve the exact same goal. That bill failed.

What can you do to stop Representative Casada in yet another attempt to legalize discrimination in Tennessee? The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) needs your help. Please plan to attend our organizational meeting for TEP Montgomery Country on November 12 at 7:00 PM. The meeting will take place at the Borders Bookstore Café at 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. in Clarksville. If you have any questions, please inquire by sending an email message to Todd Hughes at .

The author of this article would like to thank Mr. Christopher Sanders, Chair and President of the Tennessee Equality Project for his collaboration in this effort.

The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) is holding an organizational meeting on November 12, at 7:00 PM, at Borders Bookstore Café, 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., in Clarksville, to present the issue and discuss the reality of and omissions in the non-discrimination law. TEP can assist Montgomery County residents in making their opinions on this bill and other issues of equality heard at both the state and national levels.

Dr. Marisa Richmond, President of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, points out the following faults in the legislation:

• It is unprecedented for Congress to pass civil rights legislation that is not supported by a single organization in the community the law is supposed to protect. According to Richmond, over 300 LGBT organizations representing over 2 million Americans actively oppose any employment nondiscrimination legislation that does not include gender identity.

• HR 3685 does NOT provide sufficient protection against discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.Richmond states that not only does this bill completely fail to protect transgender people, but it also fails to protect lesbians, gay men, bisexual, and straight people who do not conform to gender stereotypes.

• HR 3685 is morally and strategically wrong. Not only is it morally wrong to leave part of the LGBT community out of this bill, but it is also strategically wrong. We have learned from our work in the states that it is far easier to include gender identity in civil rights legislation the first time it is passed than it is to try to go back and add it in later.

The House is voting on this resolution as we read this. What can you do to help stop this inequitable legislation? The most effective way to make your voice heard is to contact US Congressmen Marsha Blackburn or John Tanner at http://www.house.gov/writerep/.

Elsewhere in Tennessee: Nashville

The Tennessee Equality Project held a meeting with Nashville Community Members and Leaders to Solicit Opinions for non-discrimination ordinance for Nashville, TN.

A group of approximately sixty community members met on the evening of Wednesday, October 12, at the East End Methodist Church in Nashville to discuss the possibilities for a non-discrimination ordinance and other positive legislation for Metro Nashville.

Attending the meeting were leaders from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce, the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) and the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition. Each leader provided a short presentation on behalf of his or her group, within the context of the possibility of a non-discrimination ordinance for Metro Nashville.

After the presentations, Mr. Sam Felker moderated a discussion between attendees in which many expressed their outlook regarding a positive plan of action for conducting the initiative. While participants expressed a wide variety of opinions, several themes were common: a carefully planned effort that is appropriate for implementation in the Nashville community; building strong alliances with local businesses; community and faith leaders, and the general populace; and a careful consideration of what has worked in other communities.

About the Tennessee Equality Project

The Tennessee Equality Project is a statewide organization dedicated to promote and sustain the equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the State of Tennessee through the establishment of fair and equitable laws protecting these rights and the elimination of laws that would seek to counter this effort. TEP is also concerned with fair and just treatment for victims of hate crimes.

TEP’s mode of operation is unique in that we believe in forming a strong bond with legislators who are sympathetic to our causes. While the Tennessee Legislature is in session, they monitor our legislators and have a full-time lobbyist on the hill representing the GLBT community. In addition, TEP encourages and provides the resources for Tennesseans to contact their representatives regarding specific legislation that affects the GLBT community in Tennessee .

Shelton’s performance began with an introductory speech by Miss Amber Gaulden, vice-president of the GSA which started off the night’s pattern of somewhat offbeat humor with Miss Gaulden making slight jabs at the potential controversial nature. That was followed by Shelton doing a brief presentation on the upcoming Day of Silence to warm up the audience before beginning his presentation with an analysis of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, before then proceeding to read from his book.

Shelton’s presentation was both highly thought provoking and somewhat irreverent, with Shelton at one point joking, “If God doesn’t destroy Los Angeles, he owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology.” However, despite the worry of controversy none appeared during the presentation. Attendees were courteous, and polite, including during a somewhat tense question and answer period where attendees asked Shelton a variety of questions including several about his interpretation of certain verses from the biblical scripture.

When asked after the presentation, however, about his feelings over the appearance that some attendees deeply disagreed with him, Shelton stated, “There are plenty who read my articles who disagree with me on nearly everything. I’m okay with that. I contend one thing: the dialogue must continue.” It appears that Shelton certainly opened dialogue that night.

“Can a person be gay and a Christian?”

This is a question that countless thousands of people have asked themselves in the course of their lives. Whether they are struggling with this issue themselves or if they know loved ones who are wrestling with their sexual orientation, there’s now hope! This is a question that countless thousands of people have asked themselves in the course of their lives. Whether they are struggling with this issue themselves or if they know loved ones who are wrestling with their sexual orientation, there’s now hope! The Rainbow Kingdom: Christianity & the Homosexual Reconciled, a new book by David W. Shelton, answers that question and many others that we deal with as GLBT and GLBT-affirming Christians. In the first half, The Rainbow Kingdom addresses the “clobber” verses that are used to condemn gay and lesbian people throughout the world. Then, the message shifts from instruction to ministry, meeting many of today’s issues head-on.This is a question that countless thousands of people have asked themselves in the course of their lives. Whether they are struggling with this issue themselves or if they know loved ones who are wrestling with their sexual orientation, there’s now hope!, a new book by David W. Shelton, answers that question and many others that we deal with as GLBT and GLBT-affirming Christians. In the first half, The Rainbow Kingdom addresses the “clobber” verses that are used to condemn gay and lesbian people throughout the world. Then, the message shifts from instruction to ministry, meeting many of today’s issues head-on.The Rainbow Kingdom: Christianity & the Homosexual Reconciled is a practical, Biblical approach to interpreting Scripture. There are no apologies, no attacks, and no condemnation. The Rainbow Kingdom sets aside complex theology and presents its message in an easy-to-read format that’s appropriate for everyone. The message of this book is simple: reconciliation with Jesus Christ and with our deeply-held faith.

This is a question that countless thousands of people have asked themselves in the course of their lives. Whether they are struggling with this issue themselves or if they know loved ones who are wrestling with their sexual orientation, there’s now hope!, a new book by David W. Shelton, answers that question and many others that we deal with as GLBT and GLBT-affirming Christians. In the first half, The Rainbow Kingdom addresses the “clobber” verses that are used to condemn gay and lesbian people throughout the world. Then, the message shifts from instruction to ministry, meeting many of today’s issues head-on. is a practical, Biblical approach to interpreting Scripture. There are no apologies, no attacks, and no condemnation. The Rainbow Kingdom sets aside complex theology and presents its message in an easy-to-read format that’s appropriate for everyone. The message of this book is simple: reconciliation with Jesus Christ and with our deeply-held faith.If you or someone you love is unsure whether or not they can be gay and Christian, you owe it to yourself to find the answer. With this book, you can begin that process to the kind of peace and contentment that Christ has for ALL of us!

With a special Foreword by Rev. Jerri Ewell, founding pastor of Christian Community Church of Clarksville, you don’t want to miss it!

Order your copy today!

Or paste this into your web browser: http://www.lulu.com/content/432323

In the South, being out as GLBT is still very difficult for many people. This is especially true in heavy military populations like we have here in Clarksville. Even civilians who work on post feel as if they have to stay “in” in order to be able to work hassle-free.

As for my own experience, I didn’t come out even to myself until I was 30. Yes, I’m a late bloomer. It took a couple of years after that to blow off the closet doors. Now, I’m just a rebel with a cause. I’ve never been more free, more content, and more at peace with myself than I am at this moment.

My method of “coming out” was a little more public than some might employ as it was by a commentary in the local newspaper that I wrote in July of 2004. I had already com out to most of my friends and family by that point, but this time it was to the whole city. I had seen how so many people were talking about gay marriage and no one from the GLBT population spoke out about it. I decided it was time to break that silence.

That piece is posted on this blog here.

Does being out mean that you have to be a gay activist? Absolutely not. It does mean that you can live your life with integrity and hold your head up high knowing that you’re no longer living a double life. When I was confronted by now-mayoral candidate Mark Hiehle and another local pastor about the letter I wrote, they asked why I wrote that letter. I told him that living with integrity means that I live my entire life as a Christian who happens to be gay. It means that I’ll not hide elements of my life just to make people happy. It means that I’ll celebrate my partnership of almost five years.

I told them that my mission was to put a different face on a gay man that was different than the ones that are shouted down from pulpits across the country. “There are two realities in my life,” I said. “I’m Christian and I’m gay.” I had to reconcile those differences. Thank God that I did.

We parted that meeting amicably, but we knew we’d disagree. And that’s okay. Sure, I’m imperfect. And yes, I’ve made some mistakes over the last few years. But through it all, my hope, my heart, and my passion is to work for the local GLBT community and continue to build those bridges that we can all cross together. It’s a rainbow bridge, and it’s great to be out.