Out&About Newspaper

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—A regional gay and lesbian newspaper is returning to three Nashville-area Harris Teeter grocery stores after it was pulled about a month ago, its editor and the grocer said.

Out & About Newspaper, Tennessee's largest gay and lesbian publication, was pulled from the free publication racks in the three stores, as well as Kroger grocery stores in the area.

The companies initially cited policies against promoting or distributing information of religious or political nature when the paper was removed.

Newspaper supporters said the Kroger policy was discriminatory and inconsistent because the company allows the display of gay newspapers at its stores in other markets, such as Atlanta, and alternative weekly newspapers with political columns and ads for strip clubs in the Nashville area.

After both companies reviewed the paper's content, they allowed the paper to again be distributed in Nashville stores, editor Jerry Jones said July 6.

Earlier this week, Kroger approved the distribution of the publication at eight of the original 34 stores.

Harris Teeter officials said the paper was removed from its stores by DistribuTech and that it was working with them to decide how to address future concerns about publications.

Officials with the chain of upscale food markets based in Matthews, N.C., reviewed copies of the newspaper.

"We seen no reason why it shouldn't be in our stores," spokeswoman Jennifer Panetta said. "We want the publications in our stores to reflect the diversity of the communities that they serve."

Last month, members of the city's gay and lesbian community organized a weeklong boycott against Kroger and Harris Teeter. Organizers say the boycott cost the two stores more than $15,000.