On January 28, there is a rally against gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary in Murfreesboro. This rally sends a destructive message about our community, spreads misinformation, and increases the danger of bad public policy. Let's send a positive message from allies across the state as gender diverse youth are under attack. Sign and share this petition to show that you support life-saving care for trans and non-binary youth in Rutherford County and throughout Tennessee.

We've all seen the articles that say that the LGBTQ community doesn't count in the 2020 Census. Questions more directly related to our community were left out of the final version. But it's still important to participate because it affects the federal funds that come back to Tennessee and it shapes the way our federal, state, and local districts are drawn for accurate representation. You still count!

So we are asking LGBTQ people and allies in Tennessee to take the pledge. Please, add your name if you have already participated in the Census or if you plan to.  If you haven't done so, you can fill it out online at this link.

I pledge that I have either participated in the 2020 Census or that I plan to participate and I urge all my friends and neighbors to do so.

Giving Tuesday, an annual international day of giving, is December 3. Please, include Tennessee Equality Project in your giving plans.  When you support TEP, you make it possible for us to fight back against adoption discrimination bills, anti-transgender student bathroom bills, and attacks on marriage equality.  You give us the capacity to organize throughout Tennessee, and that allows us to defend the LGBTQ community.  We are grateful for your support.

If you prefer to make a tax-deductible contribution to the TEP Foundation, you can do so at this link.

The racist and homophobic comments of Sevier County Commissioner Warren Hurst have shocked people across the country.  Please, add your name to protest his divisive words and call for policy change in Sevier County, Tennessee.  We will deliver your signatures to the Sevier County Government in November at the next county commission meeting.

SB1297/HB1151, also known as the indecent exposure bill, was amended to remove the portions specifically targeting the transgender community.  Legislators noted in committee meetings and during floor debates that it codifies existing law.  If that is the case there is no reason to proceed.  Given the long history of harassment of transgender people in spaces like restrooms, we believe Governor Bill Lee should veto the bill to prevent any anti-transgender misuse of the legislation. 

The people of Tennessee are speaking out against bills that result in discrimination against LGBTQ people in our state.  Here is our statement with a summary of the bills.

Outgoing Ohio Governor John Kasich recently signed an executive order barring discrimination against state government employees on the basis of gender identity.  Discrimination based on sexual orientation was already banned. 

Outgoing Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam could do the same for our state government employees.  Sign the petition and urge him to protect LGBTQ state government employees by executive order.  If we get 1000+ signatures, we will deliver them to the Governor's office. 

A foster care and adoption license to discriminate measure was recently put into a health and human services funding bill in the House Appropriations Committee.

The “Aderholt Amendment” allows foster care and adoption service providers across the country to discriminate against children and prospective parents based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and marital status.

We need your help to tell Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker:  NO ADOPTION DISCRIMINATION in the 2019 Appropriations bill!  We will deliver hard copies to their offices.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring so the President will name a successor who must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.  Sign to urge Senator Alexander and Senator Corker to speak up for the LGBTQ community during the confirmation process.  TEP will deliver a hard copy of the signatures to their offices.

Please, considering making your tax deductible contribution to the TEP Foundation.  Your investment supports programs like Voter Registration Drives, Advocacy 101 training sessions around the state, Boro Pride in Murfreesboro that more than doubled its attendance this year, and Tennessee Open For Business that encourages an inclusive business environment in our state.  We are grateful for all your support.

New threats to Tennessee's LGBTQ community mean we must organize as many people in the state as we can so that we can speak more effectively against discrimination.  Thousands of people attend Pride celebrations in Tennessee every year.  We expect many newly out members of the community and allies to attend for the first time in 2017.  Please, make a tax deductible investment in our work to engage all the people who attend Pride celebrations in Tennessee.

TEP plans to be a strong presence at regional Pride celebrations in Tennessee so that we can actively sign people up and connect them to organizing against discrimination.  YOUR support makes it possible to afford booth space, materials to hand out during Pride, and travel to Pride celebrations around the state.

For us, Pride is a celebration of the community AND a critical opportunity to grow the movement for equality in Tennessee.  Thank you for your investment in our work.

On January 27, Slate reported that the EEOC may withdraw from a case involving job discrimination against Amiee Stephens, a transgender woman.  New Commission chair Victoria Lipnic said "Administration-related changes" were the reason. 

TAKE ACTION!

1. Send your own email to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at [email protected] and urge the Commission to continue pursuing cases of LGBT job discrimination.

2. Sign the petition.  If we reach or exceed 1000 signatures, we will deliver them to the Nashville EEOC office.

An anonymous donor has offered us a $2000 challenge.  Make your tax deductible investment in any amount to help us meet the challenge for National Coming Out Day.  We will run the challenge until October 18. 

Regardless of whether you can give, consider posting a National Coming Out Day video and tag us on Facebook or on Twitter.  Let's show Tennessee the vibrancy and diversity of our community and allies.

Your contribution helps fund educational programs around the state.  For example, in November we are offering training sessions for clergy throughout Tennessee to help them advocate more effectively for the LGBT community.

The TEP Foundation is celebrating Give OUT Days NOW through 11:00 p.m. Central Time on May 20.  Make YOUR tax deductible investment in our programs that advance equality and inclusion and fight discrimination.  We are grateful for your support.

In late April the U.S. House Armed Services Committee voted to undo President Obama's non-discrimination executive orders for federal contracts via the Russell amendment.  This amendment is part of the National Defense Authorization Act. 

Removal of the President's executive orders on non-discrimination would be a disaster for LGBT people in states like Tennessee that lack employment protections covering sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Please, sign this petition to Tennessee's two U.S. Senators and nine members of the U.S. House of Representatives and we will make sure copies are sent to their offices.

Target's trans-inclusive policies are under attack in Tennessee.  A Mt Juliet pastor's rant went viral and this week at a Hendersonville Target, protesters shouted religious wrath at employees and customers.  But we know that Tennessee loves Target and it's time to show it!

As former TEP Board member Ellyahnna Hall (pictured) notes:  

"I support Target for trying to provide a safe space for all people. I'm a trans woman and I've faced the dangers of not having access to restrooms that corespond to my gender identity. If opponents are really concerned with safety then let's focus on tougher rape laws and enforcing those, not creating a fake danger that doesn't exist."

Sign the petition statement and show Target some love.  We'll deliver hard copies of the petition to select Target locations in Tennessee.

Take a minute to contact Governor Bill Haslam by phone message or on Twitter and then let us know you did it using this form.  Let's get to 500 or more!

I called or Tweeted Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and urged him to veto HB1840, the counseling discrimination bill.  I'm asking you to do the same this week.

The Legislature passed SB1912/HB2248 that removes funding from the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  Sign this petition that we will deliver to Governor Haslam asking him to veto the bill.

Please, add your voice and urge Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to veto this discriminatory bill.

Please, join us in encouraging Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to fight against this attack on transgender students.