DONIO SPEAKS OUT (UPDATE)
As the Tennessee state congress considers two bills that would seriously compromise the LGBT community, including a "bathroom bill" that has already passed in North Carolina and Mississippi and another that would allow therapists to deny services, James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), has spoken out on the pending legislation and the upcoming Music Biz 2016 event in Nashville.
His full statement is below:
“When we decided to bring Music Biz back to Nashville in 2016, the troubling bills now before the governor were not in discussion. If these bills become law in Tennessee, they will allow discrimination against people for what they believe, how they live, or who they are—and especially penalize transgender youth at a time when they should be getting support. We urge Governor Haslam to use his veto power to put a stop to this harmful legislation.
"We strongly support the city of Nashville that has been so welcoming to Music Biz, and applaud Mayor Barry’s fierce opposition to this legislation.
"We will proceed with our May 16-18 convention at the Renaissance Hotel. In fact, our event provides a perfect forum to highlight that music serves as a unifying force around the world. It brings people together regardless of who they are. We will use our convention as an opportunity to discuss the need to celebrate diversity—rather than advancing or sanctioning discrimination—and how our business can be a positive force for fostering acceptance and understanding.
"Music Biz’s goal is to hold its convention in a place that embraces diversity in its fullest form, and we want to see Tennessee be true to that ideal.”
Donio's stand has subsequently been supported by Mayor Megan Barry, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. and the Renaissance.
@MayorMeganBarry: Grateful for @MusicBizAssoc's support for Nashville and commitment to inclusion in face of anti-LGBT legislation.
@visitmusiccity: Thanks to @MusicBizAssoc, 1st group to announce they will not cancel their event, in an effort to support Nashville.twitter.com/MusicBizAssoc/…
The Renaissance Nashville statement: The Renaissance Nashville Hotel is standing with Mayor Megan Barry, the Nashville CVC and the Music Business Association in opposition to the two discriminatory bills now being debated in the Tennessee legislature. We believe that Nashville is a welcoming city that embraces diversity. We encourage our state representatives and senators to vote in a way that reflects the welcoming spirit of all Tennesseans.
