Council Honors Students Who Protested “Don’t Say Gay”

Last night Nashville’s metro council passed a resolution honoring a group of student protestors. The high-schoolers rallied this spring against the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which passed the state Senate but not the House.

In discussion the council split over whether the resolution amounted to a vote in support of gay rights, or just commended students for being civically engaged; ultimately 22 members voted to honor the group. But that question also divided some of the students who took part in the protests.

Hannah Deegan graduated this spring from the University School of Nashville. She says anyone who made the effort to get involved merits recognition, regardless of politics.

“I missed my last day of high school, you know? We really gave it our all. And if there were students doing the same thing on the other side, I think they would deserve it too.”

But Ben Kurland, a classmate of Deegan’s who also took part in the protests, argues the resolution wasn’t just a celebration of democracy, but a comment against “Don’t Say Gay.”

“Clearly it’s a politically motivated statement they’re making here. It’s not really about the democracy of the thing. And I think the democracy of the thing is great; I’m not complaining. I’m just saying it’s a cover story for what they’re trying to do.”

Before the vote some council members who spoke against the measure cautioned it sets a dangerous precedent if the council makes a habit of weighing in on state politics.

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The council also passed a resolution calling for Metro’s legal department to give its opinion in a state lawsuit. At issue is a new Tennessee law that overturned metro’s ordinance barring contractors with the city from gay, lesbian, bi- and transgender discrimination. The non-binding measure asks Metro Legal to file a friend-of-the-court brief siding with those challenging the state law.

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