We are pleased to release the application for the Marisa Richmond Public Policy Fellowship at this link.

The Marisa Richmond Public Policy Fellowship is a program for Black transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited Tennessee college or university who are interested in public policy advocacy. The fellowship honors the federal, state, and local advocacy of Dr. Marisa Richmond in the areas of racial justice and LGBTQ rights.

Three applicants will be selected for the Spring 2021 fellowship, ideally one from East Tennessee, one from West Tennessee, and one from Middle Tennessee depending on the geographic diversity of the application pool.

Fellowship recipients will receive a $1000 stipend and participate in Zoom/conference call discussions with leading advocates to explore key issues in public policy and build their network. The program will go from mid-January through March to coincide with the state legislative session. There are no project or work requirements so that students can focus on their academic requirements and self-care.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON DECEMBER 4 BY 8:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME/7:00 P.M. CENTRAL TIME. Submit your answers through this Google form. Questions should be directed to info@tnep.org. The fellowship is a program of the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation.

The Tennessee Equality Project rescinds our endorsement of Sen. Steven Dickerson in the Tennessee Senate District 20 race.

Although he has an exemplary record on LGBTQ rights in the Legislature, elected officials are called to speak out against racism in politics.

Related: TEP statement on the racist ad in the TN Senate District 20 race.

We have seen the disgusting, racist ad targeting Mayor Heidi Campbell and Gideon's Army that was created by a political action committee. We call for it to be taken down and we call on Sen. Steve Dickerson's campaign to denounce it and call for its removal.  Even those who are not responsible for creating a campaign ad must act responsibly when they become aware of it because racism is a deadly force in our state.

We are considering the future of our endorsement in the Senate District 20 race.

The following information was written by and is provided in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health:

October is Health Literacy Month, and it could not come at a better time. We have been bombarded with health information because of the pandemic, and wading through it all can be difficult. Health literacy is the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions (source). 

Most of us experience greater health literacy in some instances and less in others. Those of us living with a chronic health condition find ourselves becoming expert in that condition and the resources around it. On the flip side, some parts of our health are less familiar to us. Sexual health usually falls on the less familiar side. 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a topic where health literacy is often low. While one in two sexually active people will get an STI by their 25th birthday, the common experience of having STIs has not been enough to build expertise and comfort with this facet of our health. 

There are as many reasons to change this as there are different types of STIs. All STIs are treatable, and most infections can be cured with oral or injectable antibiotics. For infections like HIV and genital herpes, early and consistent treatment can make a huge impact on how the disease affects a person’s life. Most STIs infect us without symptoms, so routine testing is the only way we have to know when treatment is needed. 

Nationally and in Tennessee, rates for almost every STI are rising. But not all STI testing is created equal, and research demonstrates that requesting the right type of STI testing is increasingly important. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 15–24 year olds make up a fourth of the nation’s population, but account for half of all new STIs (source). STI rates in Tennessee are also on the rise. From 2018 to 2019 all STI rates increased: Chlamydia by 8%, Gonorrhea by 9%, Syphilis (all stages) by 29% (source: Patient Reporting Investigation Surveillance Manager (PRISM), 2018–2019). Tennessee surpassed U.S. rates for both gonorrhea and chlamydia in 2018-2019 (source). 

Even with these rising STI rates, the numbers are still under-estimates because when people present to get STI testing, they are often not getting the most complete testing available. Testing for STIs like Gonorrhea and Chlamydia is recommended at all sites of exposure, including the throat and rectum, and oral and anal testing is referred to as extragenital testing. Those presenting for STI testing usually receive standard testing, which is done by collecting a urine and/or vaginal swab and for some STIs a blood sample; but standard testing only identifies penile and vaginal infections in some STIs, and does not identify extragenital infections. Standard testing is often focused on the least invasive and most comfortable option for the patient, and is what is routinely offered in health department clinics.  

When it comes to STIs, a little bit of additional discomfort during testing is worth it. Nationally, traditional urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia miss 70%–88% of infections that are found using extragenital testing with men who have sex with other men (source). In 2019, a Tennessee Department of Health study identified that standard testing alone would have missed up to 46% of infections in males, and 18% of infections in females (Source: Patient Tracking Billing Management Information System [PTBMIS], 2019).

STI tests now include a lot of new options, and one key characteristic of STI screening that can significantly impact its accuracy is the type of sample used to run the test. Unless you specifically request something different as the patient, you are likely to be provided with standard testing for STIs. 

In 2019, a Tennessee Department of Health study found that when extragenital testing was offered to all patients, testing increased significantly. Among males, rates of rectal testing increased by 200%, and oral testing increased by 78%; among females, oral testing increased 122%, and rectal testing increased 316% compared to 2018 testing data (Source: PTBMIS,2019). This suggests that patients and health care providers are not always talking about oral and anal sex. If health care providers use patient reporting alone, oral and rectal testing may not be completed or offered, even if warranted.  This is why it is so important to not only talk to your health care provider about all of your sexual practices, but also to request extragenital testing.

Extragenital testing is not new, but health literacy and personal advocacy are required to get access to it. Healthy literacy includes knowing that this type of testing is more accurate and where you can go to get it. In Tennessee, local health departments that provide STI testing have oral and rectal testing available. Personal advocacy involves asking for the version of the test during the appointment that fits your needs and answering the detailed questions about sex asked by a medical provider that will lead to knowledgeable, personalized care. Medical providers often assume that patients will be more comfortable giving a urine sample than they will be using an anal swab, so personal advocacy includes speaking up to let your provider know that you want to get more comfortable taking oral and rectal tests. 

Annual testing is recommended for all adults for all STIs, so every year you have a chance to use your increased health literacy and personal advocacy skills to get more effective testing. Asking for STI testing that includes oral and rectal swabs will not increase the cost you are asked to pay, and health departments all over Tennessee offer STI testing at little to no cost. HIV testing on its own is free, and the cost range for full STI testing is usually between $10–$20 in metro areas and is either free or calculated using a sliding scale based on income at regional Health Departments. When making an appointment, the clinic can provide information on cost. You will not be turned away due to an inability to pay the day of services.  Many clinics have same day or next day appointments and some clinics allow for same-day walk-ins. 

Here are some helpful steps to take as you get ready to get STI testing:

1. Identify your testing location and learn more about STI testing there. Click here for a list of health departments in Tennessee to quickly find one close to you. Once you’ve identified the place, go on their website or call to learn more about their scheduling procedures, what forms of identification you need to bring, and what your STI testing (and potential treatment) will cost.
2. If you are coming to a health department clinic after being tested at another location, bring your information with you. Bring any lab results and information from your last clinic appointment with you to your health department visit to save time and ensure you are getting the correct tests and treatment options. 
3. Be ready to answer questions about your sexual history. Be prepared for the questions they will ask you, and bring questions of your own. Write down 2 – 4 questions you have so that when you are face-to-face with your provider, you don’t forget what to ask. 
4. Write down any requests that are important to you. This includes requesting extragenital testing for STIs. It can also include requesting a walkthrough of the exam before you start. 
5. Learn more about STIs before you go. Doing your own research can both increase your knowledge and help you feel confident and comfortable during the process. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STI resource page is a great place to start. 
6. Choose a change to make in the next year. STI testing is annual, and it can be a great time to make a new resolution to improve your sexual health. Learn more about how to get free condoms, start on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and other ways you can improve your health on Tennessee Department of Health’s HIV Prevention page.

STIs are common, but STI testing is widely available in Tennessee. Start planning today, and don’t let discomfort or a lack of information stop you from getting the best testing and care possible. 

Tennessee Equality Project

State and Local Endorsements

Tennessee Equality Project lobbies the Tennessee General Assembly and local governments around the state on behalf of the LGBTQ community.  We are pleased to endorse a strong group of candidates for state and local government this year, including a number of LGBTQ candidates who can significantly change the conversation about our issues in Tennessee.  The Slate of Hate, which is a set of vicious anti-LGBTQ bills, looms as a threat when the Legislature reconvenes in January. On the other hand, we have important opportunities to advance equality in many of our cities.  The candidates we have endorsed can play a vital role in fighting discrimination and making life better for LGBTQ Tennesseans.  

TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDORSEMENTS

TN Senate District 6-Knox County

Jane George

TN Senate District 10-Bradley and Hamilton Counties

Glenn Scruggs

TN Senate District 14-Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, and Rutherford Counties

Chase Clemmons

TN Senate District 22-Houston, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties

Ronnie Glynn

TN House District 4-Unicoi and Carter Counties

Bobby Harrell

TN House District 6-Washington County

Brad Batt

TN House District 13-Knox County

Rep. Gloria Johnson

TN House District 18-Knox County

Eddie Mannis-LGBTQ candidate

TN House District 25-Cumberland, Putnam, and Van Buren Counties

Robyn Deck

TN House District 37-Rutherford County

Mariah Phillips

TN House District 38-Clay, Fentress, Macon, Pickett, and Scott Counties

Carol Abney

TN House District 40-DeKalb, Smith, Sumner, and Trousdale Counties

Paddy Sizemore

TN House District 48-Rutherford County

Matt Ferry

TN House District 49-Rutherford County

Brandon Thomas-LGBTQ candidate

TN House District 56-Davidson County

Bob Freeman

TN House District 63-Williamson County

Elizabeth Madeira

Our endorsement goes to Elizabeth Madeira for her strong outreach to the LGBTQ community. We also wish to commend candidate Brad Fiscus for his clear expressions of support for our community.

TN House District 82-Crockett, Haywood, and Lauderdale Counties

Andrea Bond Johnson

TN House District 83-Shelby County

Jerri Green

TN House District 89-Knox County

Keri Keeling (Write-in candidate)

TN House District 90-Shelby County

Torrey Harris-LGBTQ candidate

TN House District 96-Shelby County

Dwayne Thompson

TN House District 97-Shelby County

Gabby Salinas

CITY GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENTS

Clarksville 

City Council Ward 4

Margaret Thompson-LGBTQ candidate

City Council Ward 5

Melissa Eldridge

City Council Ward 9

Karen Reynolds

City Council Ward 11

Ashlee Evans-LGBTQ candidate

City Council Ward 12

Joe Shakeenab

Our endorsement goes to Joe Shakeenab for his demonstrated willingness to take action to address discrimination. We are also grateful to candidate Trisha Butler for her expressions of support for the LGBTQ community.

Johnson City

City Commission

Kyle Beagle-LGBTQ candidate

Jeffrey Clark-LGBTQ candidate

Debbie Harley-McClaskey

Maryville

City Council

Sarah Herron

Portland

Board of Aldermen

Lloyd Dunn-LGBTQ candidate

The Tennessee Equality Project surveyed candidates in these cities that are holding November 3 elections. All candidates for the city legislative body were surveyed. If you are a candidate and we didn't survey in your city and you would like us to do so, be in touch at info@tnep.org and we will consider your request.

Below are the responses for those candidates who completed surveys by the September 28 deadline:

BARTLETT

Voters cast their ballots for alderman by district and may select one candidate in their district.

*Alderman Position 6

Kevin Quinn

CLARKSVILLE

Voters cast their ballots for city council according to the ward in which they live. There are multiple candidates per ward in most races, but voters may only select one.

*Ward 4

Margaret Thompson-LGBTQ candidate

*Ward 5

Melissa Eldridge

*Ward 9

Karen Reynolds

*Ward 11

Ashlee Evans-LGBTQ candidate

*Ward 12

Trisha Butler

Joe Shakeenab

JOHNSON CITY

There are eight candidates for city commission; voters may select up to three.

Kyle Beagle-LGBTQ candidate

Jeffrey Clark-LGBTQ candidate

Debbie Harley-McClaskey

MARYVILLE

There are four candidates for city council; voters may select up to two.

Sarah Herron

PORTLAND

There are eight candidates for alderman; voters may select up to four.

Lloyd Dunn-LGBTQ candidate

If you would like to support the work of Tennessee Equality Project, you can contribute at this link.

The following state legislative candidates (TN Senate and TN House) turned in surveys to Tennessee Equality Project by the September 17 deadline. TEP did not survey in all legislative races. For example, there is only one candidate in many races where an incumbent is seeking reelection.  In some races in which we sent out surveys, no candidate responded. 

Candidates are listed within their district in the order in which they responded to the survey.

STATE SENATE

District 2-Blount and Sevier Counties

Patti Young-Write-in candidate

District 6-Knox County

Jane George-Democrat

District 10--Bradley and Hamilton Counties

Glenn Scruggs-Democrat

District 14-Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, and Rutherford Counties

Chase Clemons-Democrat

District 20-Davidson County

Sen. Steven Dickerson-Republican

Heidi Campbell-Democrat

District 22-Houston, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties

Ronnie Glynn-Democrat

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

District 4-Unicoi and Carter Counties

Bobby Harrell-Democrat

District 6-Washington County

Brad Batt-Democrat

District 13-Knox County

Rep. Gloria Johnson-Democrat

District 18-Knox County

Eddie Mannis-Republican and LGBTQ candidate

District 25-Cumberland, Putnam, and Van Buren Counties

Robyn Deck-Democrat (received after deadline)

District 37-Rutherford County

Mariah Phillips-Democrat

District 38--Clay, Fentress, Macon, Pickett, and Scott Counties

Carol Abney-Democrat

District 40-DeKalb, Smith, Sumner, and Trousdale Counties

Paddy Sizemore-Independent

District 48-Rutherford County

Matt Ferry-Democrat

District 49-Rutherford County

Brandon Thomas-Democrat and LGBTQ candidate

District 56-Davidson County

Rep. Bob Freeman-Democrat

District 63-Williamson County

Brad Fiscus-Independent

Elizabeth Madeira-Democrat

District 82-Crockett, Haywood, and Lauderdale Counties

Andrea Bond Johnson-Democrat

District 83-Shelby County

Jerri Green-Democrat

District 89-Knox County

Kari Keeling-Write-in candidate

District 90-Shelby County

Torrey Harris-Democrat and LGBTQ candidate

District 96-Shelby County

Dwayne Thompson-Democrat

District 97-Shelby County

Gabby Salinas-Democrat

To see our survey of city government candidates in Bartlett, Clarskville, Johnson City, Maryville, and Portland, go to this link.

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.

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.

Coffee County District Attorney Craig Northcott has made anti-Muslim statements and said that he does not treat LGBTQ people experiencing domestic violence the same as other survivors.  He can no longer effectively serve the people of Coffee County or the thousands of people who visit Coffee County each year for Bonnaroo.

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.