February 3, 2016:  Nashville, TN--The Tennessee Equality Project thanks the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County for passing a pro-marriage equality resolution last night at their regular meeting.  The resolution was passed on voice vote and, according to observers, was unanimous by those Council Members on the floor at the time the vote was taken.  The resolution easily passed the confirmation and rules committee with only one abstention prior to going to the floor of the Council for a vote.

Among those joining lead sponsor Council Member Nancy VanReece were the following cosponsors:  Council Members Brett Withers, Burkley Allen, Bob Mendes, Dave Rosenberg, Fabian Bedne, Michael Freeman, Mina Johnson, Scott Davis, Colby Sledge, John Cooper, and Erica Gilmore.  Others may have been added just prior to the Council meeting.  

The resolution is the first of its kind in Tennessee.  County commissions around the state have been considering anti-marriage equality resolutions since the fall of 2015.  For a breakdown of county anti-marriage equality resolutions and anti-marriage equality state legislation before the General Assembly, go to this link.