Antigay Tennessee Lawmakers Vote to Ask for God's Mercy, Condemn Marriage Equality

Commissioners in Blount County, Tennessee will vote tonight to ask God to "not destroy our County as He did Sodom and Gomorrah."

Tonight's commission meeting at the county courthouse in Blount County, Tenn. will feature a vote on a resolution asking God to "pass us by in His Coming Wrath and not destroy our County as He did Sodom and Gomorrah." The resolution, to be heard at 6:30pm, is authored by Commissioner Karen Miller.

In part, Miller asks officials including Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to "utilize all authority within their power to protect Natural Marriage, from lawless court opinions, AND THE financial schemes of the enemies of righteousness wherever the source AND defend the Moral Standards of Tennessee."

The measure is opposed by both the Tennessee Equality Project and PFLAG Maryville as well as outspoken LGBT citizens and allies.

Brett Rich, a gay resident of the county, told The Daily Times that the resolution is ridiculous and demeaning: “I find the wording of their resolution to be a very sad form of intolerance from our government," he told the newspaper. “My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary, on Sept. 1, by finally having the opportunity to be legally married. We work, raise our niece, pay taxes, support local charities, vote in the elections, mow our yard, purchase groceries, etc. We are the same as any other couple and are very proud that our government finally has to recognize our marriage: giving us the same rights as every other Blount County citizen."

The full text of the resolution reads: