NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The main lobbyist for a state law that overruled local protections for gay and lesbian workers led an orchestrated effort to portray the bill as being about best business practices rather than opposition to homosexuality.
Emails to lawmakers from Family Action Council of Tennessee President David Fowler came to light as part of a lawsuit challenging the Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act, signed into law in May.
Fowler told The Tennessean he did what any good lobbyist would do in providing lawmakers with arguments that could garner support for the bill.
It prohibits local governments from creating anti-discrimination regulations that are stricter than those of the state. The law nullified a Nashville ordinance barring companies that discriminate against gays and lesbians from doing business with the city.
---
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
