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Nashville adult softball league does not appreciate your gayness

Jun 16, 2010, 2:00 PM EDT

8 Comments

We take you now to Nashville, where a women’s adult church softball league has banned a team because its coach is gay. Or so says Jana J. Jacobson, who claims that church officials told her that her “deviant” lifestyle would prevent the team from competing in the Bellevue Baptist Church adult women’s softball league. From the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

The coach said she was the only team member who attended meetings in preparation for the season that began June 8, and the only member questioned by Bellevue leadership. She wondered why her lifestyle mattered since they were playing softball.

“Finally, in my frustration, I said that I am going to be clear. I am gay, and I find all of this to be absurd and against the word of God as I know it,” Jacobson said of a meeting with Bellevue officials.

Jim Barnwell, Bellevue’s director of communications, said Tuesday afternoon the church has “no plans to comment on (Jacobson’s story) at this time.”

So it’s a pretty clearcut case of discrimination if this occurs in a public league, supported by tax dollars. But does a private league — one sponsored by a church — have to play by the same rules? Should the Bellevue Baptist Church League have to admit a team of, say, Satan worshipers, whose uniforms had horns and a devil’s tail? Actually, that would be kind of cool.

The church’s decision does not appear to be illegal, said Richard Fields, a long-time local civil rights lawyer: “I don’t think it’s ever been challenged. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of anything like this.”

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Bellevue says ‘you’re out,’ gay softball coach claims [Memphis Commercial Appeal]

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  1. Lynne - Jun 16, 2010 at 4:51 PM

    Bellevue is not in Nashville

  2. Rick Chandler - Jun 16, 2010 at 5:16 PM

    Close enough. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Tennessee

  3. BJ - Jun 16, 2010 at 5:42 PM

    Actually, Bellevue Baptist Church is in Memphis. I would expect nothing less from them.

  4. Justin - Jun 16, 2010 at 5:43 PM

    It would be stupid to allow her to play for a church that clearly teaches that the Bible condemns that sort of lifestyle. Agree with it or not, she should realize this and not push the issue. Would Microsoft have to hire somebody who wanted to wear a google shirt to work everyday? No. They are a company that can do what they want. Same should go for churches. Unless they are funded by the Gov’t, they should be able to set their own rules.

  5. Mike D - Jun 16, 2010 at 6:01 PM

    Bellevue Baptist Church is not in Nashville, it’s in Memphis, hence the byline.
    Bellevue (the town) is just west of Nashville but does not have a eponymous Baptist megachurch within its borders.

  6. Rick Chandler - Jun 16, 2010 at 7:18 PM

    I stand corrected. (Places fiver in collection plate).

  7. amy - Jun 16, 2010 at 8:07 PM

    I agree, it is bellevue’s decision to turn away whomever they please. The question remains, what does sex preference have to do with playing softball? We don’t play softball in her bed?
    So, new form for Bellevue Softball league:
    1. Circle team: youth, teen, men, coed, women or gay?
    2. If circle “gay” your team will not be allowed to play.
    What would cause anybody to ask a question like this, typical stereo type… athletic woman, short hair, no wedding ring. HUMMMM sounds like me, except I am married to a man for 12 years and have 2 children…but looking at me you couldn’t guess that…Only GOD is the judge, the Baptists should know this part…
    I hope they question me on the fields of bellevue….

  8. Tony Metler - Jun 16, 2010 at 8:24 PM

    >>Bellevue is just west of Nashville but does not have a eponymous Baptist megachurch

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