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Chris Sanders published TEP state legislative candidate surveys: Equality on the ballot in Blog 2020-09-17 20:00:26 -0500
TEP state legislative candidate surveys: Equality on the ballot
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.
If you are a candidate and we did not survey in your state legislative race, feel free to get in touch at info@tnep.org and we will see if we can accommodate you. If you are a candidate in whose race we surveyed and you missed the deadline, reach out and we will discuss including your responses with a late marker such as "received after deadline."
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
District 10--Bradley and Hamilton Counties
District 14-Bedford, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, and Rutherford Counties
District 20-Davidson County
Sen. Steven Dickerson-Republican
District 22-Houston, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties
STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
District 4-Unicoi and Carter Counties
District 6-Washington County
District 13-Knox County
District 18-Knox County
Eddie Mannis-Republican and LGBTQ candidate
District 37-Rutherford County
District 38--Clay, Fentress, Macon, Pickett, and Scott Counties
District 48-Rutherford County
District 49-Rutherford County
Brandon Thomas-Democrat and LGBTQ candidate
District 56-Davidson County
District 63-Williamson County
District 82-Crockett, Haywood, and Lauderdale Counties
District 83-Shelby County
District 89-Knox County
Kari Keeling-Write-in candidate
District 90-Shelby County
Torrey Harris-Democrat and LGBTQ candidate
District 96-Shelby County
District 97-Shelby County
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TEP Census Pledge - #YouStillCount
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.
Endorse
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Chris Sanders signed Censure Commissioner Hurst, make Sevier County policies inclusive 2019-10-28 08:41:59 -0500
Censure Commissioner Hurst, make Sevier County policies inclusive
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.
Add signatureTo the Honorable Larry Waters, Mayor of Sevier County, and to the honorable members of the Sevier County Commission:
Calls have gone out across the country for Commissioner Warren Hurst to resign over his racist and homophobic comments. While that decision is in his hands, we call on you to censure him by resolution of the Sevier County Commission and to update the employment non-discrimination policy of Sevier County Government to protect county employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We urge you to make this policy change by executive order immediately, to be followed by a confirming ordinance or resolution of the County Commission.
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Call on the Coffee County DA to Resign
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.
Add signatureWe call on Craig Northcott to resign the office of District Attorney for Coffee County. His anti-Muslim statements and his admission that he does not treat LGBTQ domestic violence cases with respect are disqualifying for office. He must step down so that the people of Coffee County can be served by a District Attorney who will apply the law according to the principle of equal protection.
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Veto SB1297/HB1151
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.
Add signatureDear Governor Lee,
We call on you to veto SB1297/HB1151. Even though it has been amended, risks remain for the transgender community in any bill that further enumerates Tennessee's indecent exposure law. Legislators commented during committee and floor debates that the bill merely codifies existing law. If that is the case, there is no reason to allow the bill become law, considering the potential harm to transgender people and the negative reaction of the business community.
Thank you for considering our views.
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The People's Petition Against the Slate of Hate
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.
Add signature"As residents of Tennessee, we oppose these bills in the Tennessee General Assembly. They promote discrimination rather than justice and demean the worth of LGBTQ people in our state. We call on people of good will to join us in speaking out for basic fairness."
The bills are:
SB848/HB1152 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Ragan and SB1304/HB836 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Rudd. These bills promote state-sanctioned discrimination by private adoption agencies against prospective parents on the basis of religious and moral objection.
SB364/HB563 by Sen. Gardenhire and Rep. Zachary. The Business License to Discriminate bill. The bill casts businesses rather than the LGBTQ community as possible victims of discrimination and opens the door to taxpayer funded discrimination.
SB1297/HB1151 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Ragan. While the bill seems to be about indecent exposure, its original text is a devious attempt to criminalize transgender and gender nonconforming people in restrooms and locker rooms. The bill has been amended in a House subcommittee to remove the portions targeting the transgender community. We want to make sure the amendment remains on the bill.
SB1499/HB1274 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Holt. This bill requires the Attorney General to defend school districts that engage in anti-transgender bathroom discrimination.
SB1282/HB1369 by Sen. Pody and Rep. J. Sexton. The Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act is an attack on marriage equality.
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Chris Sanders signed Urge Gov. Haslam to protect LGBTQ state government employees 2018-12-21 09:46:16 -0600
Urge Gov. Haslam to protect LGBTQ state government employees
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.
Add signatureDear Governor Haslam,
We urge you to sign an executive order protecting Tennessee state government employees from job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the same protections that Ohio state government employees enjoy thanks to the recent executive order signed by outgoing Ohio Governor John Kasich.
Employees of our public colleges and universities already enjoy these projections as do the public employees in Metro Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and Knox County. Everyone deserves the opportunity to work without the fear of discrimination.
Thank you for considering our views.
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NO to Adoption Discrimination in Congress
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.
Add signatureDear Senators Alexander and Corker:
We urge you to act to oppose the Aderholt amendment allowing discrimination in foster care and adoption services in the FY19 House Labor-HHS appropriations bill and ensure that the measure is NOT included in any Senate or final appropriations bill.
It would allow taxpayer-funded foster care and adoption service providers to discriminate against children in care and against prospective parents, based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and marital status.
The measure breaks the cardinal rule of child welfare services: to act in the best interest of the child. This amendment would actually HARM CHILDREN.
This amendment would greatly harm the 440,000 children in foster care, particularly the 117,000 who are waiting to be adopted into loving, forever homes. There is a crisis in foster care due to the huge shortage of available families for children. Each year, over half the children waiting to be adopted do not find a loving home, and most devastatingly, over 17,000 foster youth age out of care without a forever family. Those youth are at greater risk of involvement with the criminal justice system, homelessness, unemployment, and being trafficked.
Speak out against this poison pill amendment,; let your leadership know you will not support a funding bill with the measure included, and vote against any appropriations measure that includes such discriminatory provisions. Thank you for considering our views.
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Chris Sanders signed Urge Senators Alexander and Corker to speak up for LGBTQ people when the next Supreme Court justice is appointed 2018-06-27 20:53:25 -0500
Urge Senators Alexander and Corker to speak up for LGBTQ people when the next Supreme Court justice is appointed
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.
Add signatureSenator Alexander and Senator Corker:
When the President announces his choice to replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, we urge you to speak up for the rights of LGBTQ people. It is vitally important that members of the Supreme Court support the principle of "equal protection" and that Justice Kennedy's successor uphold the existing rights of LGBTQ people and oppose discrimination against LGBTQ people. We respectfully ask you to raise these concerns publicly and not to vote for any nominee who supports discrimination.
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Support the TEP Foundation's Work
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.
Donate
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Chris Sanders signed Tell iStock/Getty to remove violent, anti-LGBTQ images 2017-09-21 12:49:40 -0500
Tell iStock/Getty to remove violent, anti-LGBTQ images
Nashville resident Jennifer Sheridan discovered some disturbing images among iStock/Getty's photographs that were tagged with anti-LGBTQ messages. Out & About Nashville reports that one of them represented the lynching of LGBTQ people.
TAKE ACTION: Go to this link and tell iStock/Getty to remove anti-LGBTQ images and tags from their collection. AND add your name to the petition below. Please, share with your friends.
Add signatureWe call on iStock/Getty to remove anti-LGBTQ images and anti-LGBTQ tags from images in their collection. At a time when hate crimes against LGBTQ people are rising in Tennessee and other states, companies have a responsibility to take steps to promote respect. It is outrageous that a major collection of images used by the public would contain pictures and tags that demean and attack the LGBTQ community.
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I Pledge to Work for Equality and Justice after the Marches
Sign your name and let us know your email address to pledge your ongoing commitment to the work for full equality in Tennessee after the marches and celebrations are over. That will allow us to stay in touch with you about key training events around the state.
I pledge to work for equality and justice for LGBTQ people in Tennessee after the marches and rallies. I will keep their spirit with me and find ways to resist discrimination and build power for the equality movement. Please, contact me on June 26 for a special announcement about opening a new front in the fight for good public policy for LGBTQ people in Tennessee.
I want to join my efforts with equality advocates statewide to resist the Legislature's attacks.
Endorse
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YOUR Districts
Tell us your state senate and state house districts. Note: We are NOT asking for your U.S. Senate and U.S. House districts (the elected officials who meeting in Washington, D.C. ). We are asking about your elected officials you meet in Nashville--your state senator and your state representative. You can find them at this link by entering your street address.
So tell us your state senator and your state representative as well as your email address. Thank you!
Send feedback
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Governor Haslam, Veto SB1085/HB1111
Add your name and urge Governor Haslam to veto SB1085/HB1111, the Sneaky LGBT Erasure Bill. After you sign the petition, share it with your friends. We will deliver a hard copy of the signatures to the Governor's Office. Your voice can help determine whether he uses the VETO pen or the BECOMES LAW pen!
Add signatureDear Governor Haslam,
We ask you to veto SB1085/HB1111. This bill, as the Attorney General has noted, is broadly written. Its vagueness could result in conflicts with existing laws about judicial interpretation. These conflicts are likely to cause discrimination against LGBTQ people, particularly with respect to marriage, adoption, and legal documents. This bill risks subjecting Tennessee to the same scrutiny that North Carolina has received. We cannot afford hundreds of millions of dollars in economic boycotts and sanctions. Please, veto this bill so we can avoid judicial chaos and costly discrimination. Thank you for considering our views.
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Demand EEOC pursue LGBT job discrimination cases
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 info@eeoc.gov 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.
Add signatureDear Commissioners,
We urge you to continue viewing job discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people as sex discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In particular, you must continue to pursue the case of Amiee Stephens and other cases like it.
Your own report indicates there were 1768 charges of anti-LGBT job discrimination in 2016. In many states, there are no explicit protections for LGBT workers. Without your efforts, LGBT people are often defenseless against job discrimination. You must continue to pursue these cases.
Thank you for considering our views.
Chris Sanders
Statewide organization working for equality in Tennessee