What if we were to take the worst stereotypes about southern conservatives, compile the nuttiest elements of their ideology, and put it all into one small town. What would it look like? Rhea County, Tennessee.
Rhea County commissioners unanimously voted to ask state lawmakers to introduce legislation amending Tennessee’s criminal code so the county can charge homosexuals with crimes against nature.
“We need to keep them out of here,” said Commissioner J.C. Fugate, who introduced the motion.
County Attorney Gary Fritts also was asked by Fugate to find the best way to enact a local law banning homosexuals from living in Rhea County. Commissioners asked Fritts to bring a resolution requesting the ban to next month’s commission meeting for another vote.
It’s not as if Rhea County wasn’t already a laughing stock. This is the same county that charged a science teacher named John Scopes with a crime for teaching evolutionary biology in 1925 — and still celebrates the prosecution every year.
It’s also the same county that a federal court, just two years ago, had to order to stop teaching mandatory Bible lessons to young children in local public schools.
And now the community wants to ban gay people. Congratulations, Rhea County, you’ve officially become a parody of yourself.