April 15, 2019
For immediate release
Curb Records statement on discriminatory bills in Tennessee
Tennessee Equality Project received the following statement from Curb Records:
Curb Records is proud to join the Tennessee Equality Project, Taylor Swift and over 100 members of the Tennessee clergy to oppose all six discriminatory bills currently being considered by the Tennessee State Legislature. As Mike Curb explained: “As a former elected official, a Republican and a Christian, and as founder and Chairman of Curb Records and the Curb Foundation, I cannot believe that our legislators would put our brand new Governor in a position to have to consider potentially discriminatory legislation that could involve taxpayer funds.” In support of Curb’s position, the company will match Taylor Swift’s generous donation of $113,000 to TEP. The gift has special importance because Curb opposes any form of discrimination, including any proposed law that takes equal rights from any group.
Tennessee has offered citizens a high quality of life because business and nonprofits have worked together. For several decades Curb Records and the Curb Foundation have made numerous gifts to Tennessee universities, homeless projects, museums, the historic preservation of Music Row and many other important charitable organizations and activities. Today such collaborative investment is threatened by irresponsible legislation, and it is crucial that our legislature and our other government officials take note of the incredible negative impact that bills such as these have already had in North Carolina and other states.
As Mike Curb has observed: “During my lifetime America has been rebuilt by public-private sector partnerships and I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in many of these projects across the country. I’d like to be able to do future projects in Tennessee, and I believe that there are many other individuals and organizations in the entertainment industry and other businesses who will join us in reconsidering whether we can make new investments and contributions in Tennessee if these discriminatory measures go forward.”
Tennessee Equality Project’s executive director Chris Sanders additionally released this statement in response to the support of Curb Records: “Tennessee Equality Project is grateful that Mike Curb and Curb Records are speaking out at this critical time as more discriminatory bills are up for legislative committee votes tomorrow. The business community in Tennessee can play a vital role in setting a welcoming climate for everyone. Curb Records knows that leadership means standing for all Tennesseans and we want to thank them for their monumental support.”
The bills are: SB848/HB1152 , SB1304/HB836 , SB364/HB563 , SB1297/HB1151 , SB1499/HB1274 and SB1282/HB1369 .