Cornhole 4 The Cure

Perhaps unaware of its other meaning, perhaps not unaware, two men in Memphis are staging cancer fundraisers around the classic country fair game cornhole.

"We just started playing the game cornhole," Spurlin said. "It's just a bean bag toss game. Then, we decided why not make some cornhole boards? My mother-in-law makes the bags for us." That was the beginning of 'Cornhole 4 the Cure,' which in just six weeks has developed into a website and weekly tournament. Games are held every Wednesday night at the Boiling Point restaurant in Southaven. "The purpose is we're raising money for St. Jude," Spurlin said. "One hundred percent of our donations go to St, Jude and fifty percent of all proceeds go to St. Jude."

From a commenter on the linked news story: "I have told my wife for years that cornholing can help cure cancer but she didn't believe me, until I found this group. Now, everytime she objects to a cornholing session, I remind her of how many people might die as a result of her refusing to cornhole. So, whenever she tells me 'but I don't like it,' I have to remind her of what people with cancer are going through. Perspective, people. Perspective." You can watch people cornhole on the event's website.

TENNESSEE: Citing Lack Of Support, Backers Pull Proposed LGBT Rights Law

Saying that they have no support on the Memphis City Council, the Tennessee Equality Project has withdrawn their proposed anti-discrimination ordinance which would have protected LGBT residents in hiring and promotion decisions.

TEP members said it was clear the ordinance, which was scheduled for the second of three readings this afternoon, lacked support from the 13-member council and Wharton’s administration, which said two weeks ago that it favors a more general ordinance approved by the Shelby County Commission earlier this year. Michelle Bliss, vice chairwoman of the Shelby County Committee of the TEP, said council members were making decisions based on “fear and prejudice.” “At this time we don’t think we can get a fair hearing,” said Bliss.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Equality Project says Memphis Mayor AC Wharton has broken campaign pledges to support the LGBT community.

MEMPHIS: Death Threats And A Dead Cat For Sponsor Of LGBT Rights Ordinance

Memphis city councilwoman Janis Fullilove is paying the price from God's Gentle People™ for sponsoring an LGBT rights law. So far she's received four telephoned death threats and the body of a dead cat tossed on her front lawn.

Police think the threats are serious enough have increased patrols around her home to keep her safe. All four calls came Tuesday and each call mentioned the proposed employee non-discrimination ordinance. Someone also threw a dead cat on her lawn. Each phone call mentioned her support for banning discrimination against gays in city government. Distraught, Fullilove reached out to Jonathan Cole with the Tennessee Equality Project. "She essentially said that they were threatening to kill her," said Cole, who thinks the death threats are just another example of intolerance in Memphis. "It's scary and our city needs to stand up to this kind of ugliness." Police are keeping a close eye on Fullilove and her family. She's asked her telephone provider to track the calls. Meanwhile, Cole says the councilwoman's experience should highlight the need for the ordinance to protect gays and lesbians working for the city.

Fullilove (great name!) says the threats will not make her back down. The vote on her legislation is expected to come on August 10th.