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News & Information
Recent Headlines affecting the TN Community
  • Lesbian teen back at school after prom cancelled
    MSNBC.com  03/11/2010
    An 18-year-old Mississippi lesbian student whose school district canceled her senior prom rather than allow her to escort her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo said she got some unfriendly looks from classmates when she reluctantly returned to campus Thursday.… [read article]
  • Survey shows shift in opinions toward LGBT community among teens and tweens
    Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today  03/02/2010
    Significant shifts have occurred over the last twenty years on how our community is viewed by teens and tweens. Read more about this great information from the GirlScouts of America!… [read article]
  • Equality in an Election Year
    Out & About Newpaper  02/09/2010
    “Oh, sorry—Did my civil rights step on the toes of your election year?” When legislation designed to advance equality stalls or fails, there are always many reasons why. This year the election looms large among them.… [read article]
  • The kind of hate speech being used against us.
    World Net Daily  02/09/2010
    This is just a sample of the kind of hateful rhetoric and lies that our community and our effort has to fight constantly. Read this to see how important it is for you to form a positive and personal relationship with your elected officials and give you a reason to join us on Tuesday, March 2nd in Nashville for Advancing Equality Day.… [read article]
  • Parents of gay teens get help with acceptance
    KnoxNews  01/16/2010
    Until very recently, parents seldom knew anything about their children's sexual orientation. "Most parents found out about the sexual orientation of their gay and lesbian children only after the children had left home, if then," says David Massey, secretary and treasurer of Greater Knoxville PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). "Today, even in East Tennessee, gay and lesbian youth are 'coming out' to friends and family in high school and even middle school - a significant shift from just a few years ago. Many parents instinctively want to support their children but don't know how. They have a lot of questions."… [read article]


  • Recent TEP Messages/Campaigns
Grand Divisions: News and Comment on TN Politics
grand-divisions.blogspot.com
  • Divisive? Not really.
    So let's go back to the discussion of the development that became public today--namely, the letter from Council Members Barry, Steine, and Cole arguing that the Metro Human Relations Commission has the authority to gather data and provide programming about gender identity discrimination and that they should use it.

    One item really bugged me about the coverage in the     Tennessean. Someone--whether the reporter or an editor--used this phrase: "It's the latest front in an ongoing and divisive debate about the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens in the workplace."

    Is it? Is gathering data and providing diversity programming really that controversial in Middle Tennessee? I don't think it is. We'll soon see, but there's been a change that we ought to note. The story has only garnered about 27 comments as of late this afternoon, which is a lot lower than these kinds of stories got last year during the debate on the non-discrimination ordinance. The fact of passing the ordinance has made the topics of sexual orientation and gender identity less divisive.

    And if you look at the rhetoric in the piece, Councilman Hodge's comments were not nearly as inflammatory as things he said on the floor of the Council last year. His comments could have been directed at any kind of issue in a variety of contexts. And that's what equality is becoming--another issue. I suspect that Councilman Hodge has realized that the world is not going to end because the ordinance passed. It doesn't even seem to have produced permanent divisions on the Council. Members (whether left or right on non-discrimination issues) find reasons to work together and work against one another on budget, zoning, and other issues.

    Other developments signal a relative calm on gender identity as a public hot potato in our region. MTSU students with little fanfare voted in a referendum to add gender identity to their SGA constitution's non-discrimination policy. We've got Nashville and Murfreesboro representatives who are co-sponsors of the state hate crimes bill that would add gender identity to the current statute. Furthermore, a lot of people in Middle Tennessee work in places that already prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity--AT&T, Bank of America, and so on.

    People are starting to get it more than we think. And while there are a few paranoid loudmouths freaking out about bathrooms, most people who even pause to consider the issue realize that discrimination is hard to justify and they've stopped trying.
    So let's go back to the discussion of the development that became public today--namely, the letter from Council Members Barry, Steine, and Cole arguing that the Metro Human Relations Commission has the authority to gather data and provide programming about gender identity discrimination and that they should use it… [read more]
  • Gender identity discrimination may receive higher profile in Metro based on Council Members' letter to Human Relations Commission A few weeks ago, TEP approached a Metro Nashville Council Member and asked for the following guidance: "A 2003 Metro Law opinion http://www.nashville.gov/law/docs/opinions/2003-02.pdf established that the Metro Human Relations Commission can investigate complaints of discrimination based on sexual orientation in the private sector in matters of employment and housing, hold educational programming on the same, and gather data on the same… [read more]
  • Misplaced Priorities, Absent Logic Today's Commercial Appeal explores the legislative priorities that Ninth Congressional District candidate, former Mayor Willie Herenton, plans to emphasize in his campaign… [read more]
  • Ignoring Southern states has hampered equality News items over the last few weeks have made it very clear that the real battle for equality is not on the coasts, but it is south of the Mason-Dixon line… [read more]
  • "Quarantined," says VA Attorney General If you've followed recent events in Virginia, then you know that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has issued an opinion that Virginia public colleges and universities can't expand their non-discrimination policies beyond the categories passed by the General Assembly… [read more]
  • TEP PAC endorses Steve Mulroy for Shelby County Commission TEP PAC is pleased to announce that we endorse Steve Mulroy in the Democratic Primary for the District 5 Shelby County Commission seat and we urge you to support his campaign and vote for him if you live in this district… [read more]
Legislation
Bills TEP is currently monitoring Learn more about TN's legislative process/terminology
Bill No. Description / Status
Campaigns & Lobbying
SB 0005
HB 0010 *		 Photo ID required to vote.
Changes requirements for voter registration form from simply including "such matter as the coordinator of elections requires" to listing the specific criteria. Requires applicant to sign a sworn statement of legal citizenship and residency. Provides the administrator of elections must reject any application for registration that is not accompanied by proof of citizenship and lists acceptable forms of proof. Clarifies that those already registered in the state will not be required to resubmit proof, and voters who do not have a photo ID can cast provisional ballots. Provides that those who cannot afford a photo ID can sign a pauper's oath and have one provided. (S: Ketron; H: Maggart)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate State & Local Government.
House Status: Referred to House Elections Subcommittee.
SB 1999 *
HB 1838 		Proven citizenship status prior to registration to vote.
Requires the printed voter registration form to include a statement that the applicant must submit evidence of U.S. citizenship with the application and that the registrar must reject the application if no evidence of citizenship is attached. Requires a voter to present to the registrar one form of identification that bears the name, address and photograph of the voter. (S: Norris; H: Todd)
Amendment: Senate State & Local Government Committee amendment 1, House Elections Subcommittee amendment 1 retains all provisions of the original bill but does the following: permits rather than requires the registrar to reject registration if no proof of citizenship is provided; and clarifies the intent of the general assembly that this act apply to new registration forms only and that any remaining printed forms be used until January.
Senate Status: Senate deferred to 04/30/2009.
House Status: Bill will stay in House Elections Subcommittee after Representative McCormick chose not to move to recall the bill from the subcommittee in House State & Local 05/12/2009.
Criminal Law
SB 0253
HB 0335 *		 Enhancement factor - basis in gender identity or expression.
Requires the court to consider whether a defendant intentionally chose a victim of crime based on gender identity or expression in determining whether to enhance a defendant's sentence. Thus, adds to present law advisory enhancement factor for sentencing a defendant who intentionally chose a victim of crime, in whole or in part, because of the victim's race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or gender. (S: Marrero; H: Richardson)
Senate Status: Senate Judiciary deferred to 05/19/2009.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Judiciary 05/13/2009.
Education
SB 1234
HB 0812 *		 Parents to request students attend family life courses.
Requires a written receipt from the student's parents or guardian who wishes the student to attend a family life course. Allows a student to be excuses from a portion of family life instruction by submitting a request to the principal. (S: Bunch; H: Campfield)
Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Education 04/28/2009.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Education K-12 Subcommittee 01/27/2010.
SB 1250
HB 0821 *		 Prohibits teaching of homosexuality in grades K-8.
Prohibits the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality in public school grades K-8. (S: Bunch; H: Campfield)
Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Education 04/28/2009.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Education K-12 Subcommittee 01/27/2010.
Family Law
SB 0050 *
HB 0398		 Rebuttable presumption for shared custody.
Creates rebuttable presumption that equally shared parenting is in the best interest of the child. (S: Bunch; H: Rowland)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Domestic Relations Subcommittee 03/25/2009.
SB 0052 *
HB 0427		 Reporting on adoptions.
Requires the department of children's services to report annually to the select committee of children and youth regarding the total number of adoptions and the number of adoptions in which the child is related to the adoptive parents versus the number of adoption in which the child is not related. Broadly captioned. (S: Bunch; H: Bell)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Caption bill held on House clerk's desk.
SB 0078 *
HB 0605		 Ineligibility for cohabitants to adopt a child.
Prohibits the adoption of a minor by either same-sex or opposite-sex individuals cohabiting outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of the state. (S: Stanley; H: DeBerry J.)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Family Justice Subcommittee.
SB 0181
HB 0002 *		 Equal and Fair Parenting Act.
Creates a rebuttable presumption that equally shared parenting is the custody arrangement in the best interest of a child. (S: Jackson; H: Hardaway)
Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Judiciary 04/23/2009.
House Status: Failed in House Domestic Relations Subcommittee 04/15/2009 on a vote of three to three.
  Other Status: Tennessee Judicial Council reviewed 03/26/2009 with no comment.
SB 0252
HB 0334 *		 Amendment of birth certificate for gender change.
Requires amendment of birth certificate upon receipt of a sworn statement from a licensed medical professional that the person's gender has changed. Deletes present law prohibition against changing sex on original certificate of birth as a result of sex change surgery. (S: Marrero; H: Richardson)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee.
SB 1070
HB 0931 *		 Change sex designation on birth certificate.
Authorizes certain persons to change the sex designation on their birth certificate. (S: Marrero; H: Kernell)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Health Care Facilities Subcommittee.
SB 2136
HB 2159 *		 Embryo Donation and Adoption Act of 2009.
Specifies that if an embryo is donated by its genetic parents or by its owners or by a clinic with the legal authority to relinquish its ownership to a woman and her husband, then a child born as the result of the implantation of that embryo is presumed to be the adopted child of such woman and husband. Requires that a written contract be executed transferring ownership of parental rights of the embryo prior to thawing and transfer of the embryo. States that any provision in such contract that requires visitation by the genetic parent or otherwise places any conditions on the embryo adoption is to be void and of no effect whatsoever. Clarifies that nothing under this part is to be construed to prohibit open embryo adoption. Permits the adopting parents to file an adoption petition seeking a final order of adoption, but clarifies that the final order of adoption is not required. (S: Black; H: Hensley)
Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Judiciary 04/01/2009.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Family Justice Subcommittee 04/07/2009.
Health Care
SB 1426 *
HB 1706		 Healthcare Freedom of Conscience Act.
Enacts the "Healthcare Freedom of Conscience Act." Allows health care providers to choose not to participate in the performance of a health care act that violates their conscience. Clarifies that such health care acts includes, but is not limited to, abortions, euthanasia, fetal experimentation, and physician-assisted suicide. Prohibits discrimination against individuals or institutions that decline to perform certain medical procedures or acts. (S: Stanley; H: Hensley)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate General Welfare.
House Status: Referred to House Professional Occupations Subcommittee.
Miscellaneous
HJR 0477 Opposition to the recognition of same-sex marriages.
Urges Congress to reject measure adopted by the City Council of the District of Columbia relative to recognition of same-sex marriages. (H: Floyd)
House Status: Referred to House Domestic Relations Subcommittee.

To read the entire text of any of the bills mentioned in our legislative updates, visit the Legislature's website, or click on the bill numbers above.

It's Time

In September 2008 we launched the IT’S TIME campaign to advance positive protections for our community.  We have begun to see success. 

On June 1, 2009 the Shelby County Commission passed a resolution protecting County employees from discrimination based on non-merit factors.  Sexual orientation and gender identity were read into the legislative record to insure that these two factors would be included in the policy. 

On September 15, 2009, the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County passed a non-discrimination ordinance that protects Metro government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  These milestones are just the beginning.

We will:

  1. Continue our efforts to advance a nondiscrimination ordinance in Memphis.
  2. Work for equality in hospital visitation in Tennessee
  3. Lay the groundwork for a non-discrimination ordinance in an East TN city

It’s Time for you to get involved.  We ask you to:

  1. Volunteer with one of our county committees or help us form one where you live by contacting us at info@tnep.org.
  2. Join TEP, renew your membership, or make a contribution at tnep.org/donate.

Together we can turn a corner in Tennessee.  With the strength of a united community we will gain the protections that make a difference in our lives.