Pastors Speak Out on LGBTQ+ Policy in Tennessee

Southern Christian Coalition calls on policymakers to practice love and tolerance

A group of Tennessee pastors affiliated with the Southern Christian Coalition called on Tennessee policymakers to adopt policies focused on love and tolerance when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community.

Rev. Don Jones, pastor of Andersonville United Methodist Church, said, "I'm here speaking in support of our LGBTQ community across Tennessee. I believe that whether we are black, white or brown, Native or newcomer, transgender or not, we are all made in the image of God and we all deserve the freedom to be  and we deserve the privacy to make our own healthcare decisions, which is what our Tennessee Supermajority, Governor Lee, and Attorney General Skrmetti have all taken from us."

Rev. Val Ohle, Pastor of Union Grove United Methodist Church in Blount County stated, "I believe every one of us is created in the image of God and that across our races, our backgrounds and our genders, we all want to be treated with dignity and respect. But instead of working for policy and progress that the majority of Tennesseans want such as affordable health care, communities safe from gun violence, and high quality public schools, Governor Lee and our Supermajority Legislature have been focused on exploiting divisions and feeding manufactured fears among us so that they can get hold and keep hold on power, denying us the basic rights, resources and respect all people deserve."

Rev. Ann Bassett, Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Spring Hill also spoke in support of the LGBTQ+ community. "I'm grateful for the young people I have seen speak publicly in support of our transgender community members. But just like all movements for equality that have come before, certain politicians are trying to get and hold on to power by silencing young people taking advantage of unfamiliarity with transgender people, to punish kids for being their authentic selves. Whenever a powerful few have tried to pick and choose who counts, there will always be those of us who showed up for each other and built welcoming communities. Now it's our time to show up, reject division, and charge a better future for all of us. No matter our races, ages or genders."

Rev. Don JonesPhoto bySouthern Christian Coalition