(AgapePress) - A Nashville pastor says he cannot support a revised bill before the city council that would protect homosexuals in city government from discrimination.

Two Metro Council members originally had proposed legislation banning discrimination by private employers against homosexuals and lesbians. That bill was eventually withdrawn. Although the revised bill only applies to Metro government and its employees, there is a possibility that the Metro Human Relations Commission could investigate perceived cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

David Wilson is pastor of Judson Baptist Church in Nashville. He says he cannot support such a proposal.

"I don't think sexual preference ought to be elevated to a minority status anyway," Wilson says. "I think there are other discrimination laws on the books that would cover whatever needs that there are -- and I personally think it's a mistake to try to [put] the sexual preference issue on the same level as a minority status would be."

But Wilson is realistic enough to know the issue is not going to go away.

"It is an issue that's going to continually be a problem here -- it already has been in some places, and I think it will continue to be," he says. "But they're just trying their best to continue putting pressure on people to make them accept the lifestyle they want to have. That's what's distressing to me."

The new bill will be voted on next Tuesday on the first of three required readings.

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