In a March 1st letter to some Shelby County pastors, 9th District Congressional candidate (and former Memphis mayor) Willie Herenton wrote: "As pastors, I hope you will join me in my opposition to same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana."

Jackson Baker



As Tennessee Equality Project's Jonathan Campbell points out in a note on Facebook, Herenton's words are in conflict with his previous support of the LGBT community during his tenure as mayor.

On September 25, 2000, Herenton appeared with Judy Shepard (mother of hate crime victim Matthew Shepard) at a speaking engagement at Calvary Chuch in Memphis. The former mayor proclaimed the day "Memphis Against Hate Crimes Day."

Also in 2000, Herenton appeared at the ribbon-cutting for the grand opening of the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center. And in January 2009, Herenton pledged support for an ordinance that would protect LGBT city employees and contractors.