ACTION ITEMS

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to vote NO on HB2165, a bill that outs trans and non-binary students.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Finance Subcommittee to ask tough questions about the definition of recruiting and whether the fiscal note is high enough for HB2310, a bill that attaches criminal penalties and stigma related to recruiting, harboring, and transporting youth for gender-affirming care contrary to the wishes of parents.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell your own senator to vote NO on the flag ban bill that is up for a vote on the Senate floor on April 17.

KEY CALL TO MAKE

*Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to veto SB2766/HB1634, a bill that removes protected classes from the teacher code of ethics like race, sex, and sexual orientation.

FULL CALENDAR

Events marked in blue include high priority bills.

MONDAY, APRIL 15

2:00 p.m.  House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1891.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

2:00 p.m. House Finance Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2310, HB1632, HB1614.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

8:30 a.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB1722.

ACTION ITEMS

More will be added in the coming days.

KEY PHONE CALLS TO MAKE

*Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to VETO SB1738/HB2169, a bill that prevents DCS from screening out anti-LGBTQ parents from adoption and foster care.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use the easy campaign at the link to send a message to your own member of the Tennessee of House of Representatives. On Monday, the House will vote on HB1634, which erases specific LGBTQ protections for students, and HB2165, which forces school districts to out trans students when they request an accommodation like the correct pronoun or name.

FULL CALENDAR

Items marked in blue contain priority bills.

MONDAY, APRIL 8

3:00 p.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1634, HB2610.

3:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2097.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

1:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB1792.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

8:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2766. SB2041.

9:00 p.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2165.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11

8:30 a.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2782.

9:00 a.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB2784, HB2936.

*ACTION ITEMS

More items will be added over the coming days

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP

*APRIL 1 starting at 2:15 p.m.  Protest the adoption/foster care discrimination bill in the Capitol near the House Chamber. The House floor session begins at 3:00 p.m. RSVP at this event page or at the Facebook event link.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*NEW. Use the easy form at the link to tell your State Representative to vote NO on HB2169, the adoption/foster care discrimination bill.

*NEW. Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO on HB1634 and HB2165 that make LGBTQ students more vulnerable to discrimination and force schools to out transgender and non-binary students.

*NEW. Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Civil Justice Committee to vote NO on SB2782/HB2310, a bill that stigmatizes travel for youth gender-affirming care with criminal and civil penalties when it is not parent-approved.

FULL CALENDAR

Events marked in blue contain priority bills

MONDAY, APRIL 1

12:30 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  SB2782.

1:30 p.m. Government Operations Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2610.

3:00 p.m. House floor in the Capitol. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS:  HB2169, HJR1153.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

8:30 a.m. Senate Finance in Senate Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  SB1792. Note: This bill is behind the budget in the House.

11:00 a.m. House Civil Justice Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2936, HB1386, HB2310. Note: HB1386 has been sent to the General Subcommittee of the Senate.

1:00. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1:  BILLS:  SB2782.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

9:00 a.m. Criminal Justice Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. BILLS:  HB1949. Note: This bill is deferred to summer study in the Senate.

12:30 p.m. House Education Administration Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1634, HB2784.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

9:00 a.m. Senate floor session in the Senate Chamber in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2767 and SB2097.

ACTION ITEMS

More items will be added over the coming days.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use this easy form to tell your own member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to reject HB2169, which prevents DCS from having an inclusive non-discrimination policy in adoption and foster care. The bill is on the House floor on April 1.

*NEW: Use this easy form to tell your State Senator to vote NO on SB2766, a bill that removes non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ students.

*NEW: Use this easy form to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to vote NO on SB2781/HB1949, which is the anti-trans bathroom bill. It is up for a vote in those committees on March 26.

*NEW:  Use this easy form to tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO on HB1634 and HB2165 on March 27. These bills remove protections for LGBTQ students and force school districts to out trans and non-binary students.

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP

*Save the Date. April 1 protest against the adoption/foster care discrimination bill. Learn more and RSVP at the link.

FULL CALENDAR

Events marked in blue contain high priority bills

MONDAY, MARCH 25

1:30 p.m. Government Operations in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB1661. This bill is deferred to summer study in the Senate.

3:00 p.m. House floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  HB1891.

3:30 p.m. Senate floor session in the Capitol. BILLS:  SB2766.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

Noon. House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. BILLS:  HB1949.

1:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  SB2781.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

10:30 a.m. House State Government Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2610.

10:30 a.m. House Finance Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 3. BILLS:  HB1614.

1:00 p.m. House Education Administration Committee in House Hearing Room 1. BILLS:  HB2165, HB1634, HB2784.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

8:30 a.m. Senate floor session. BILLS:  SB2749, SB1858.

ACTION ITEMS

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP

Tuesday, March 19 is a big day for committee hearings on discriminatory bills starting at Noon with the last committees starting at 4:30 p.m. If you want to arrive a little early, we'll be in the cafeteria of the Cordell Hull Building starting at 11:00 a.m. To learn more and RSVP, go to this event link. If you know you are going to be there and want to talk about a special assignment, email us at [email protected] .

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use this easy form to tell your member of the TN House of Representatives to vote NO on HB2169, the adoption/foster care discrimination bill. It is on the House floor on March 21.

*Use this easy form to tell the members of the House Civil Justice Committee to vote NO on HB2310, the bill on criminalization stigma for travel related to gender-affirming care.

*Use this easy form to tell members of the House K-12 Subcommittee to vote NO on HB1634 that removes sexual orientation from education policy and gender identity from the family life curriculum and NO on HB2165 that forces schools to out trans and non-binary students.

*Use this easy form to tell members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Criminal Justice Committee to vote NO on SB2781/HB1949, a horrible anti-transgender bathroom bill.

*Use this easy form to tell members of the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee to vote NO on HB1386, a bill that provides a separate marriage registration option for man/woman couples, on March 19.

*Use this easy form to tell your own state senator to vote NO on SB1738, the adoption/foster care discrimination bill. It is on the Senate floor on the morning of March 21.

FULL CALENDAR

Events marked in blue contain high priority bills.

MONDAY, MARCH 18

1:30 p.m. Government Operations. Bills:  HB1661.

3:00 p.m. House Higher Education Subcommittee. Bills:  HB2784.

4:00 p.m. House floor. Bills:  HB2435.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

Noon. House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee. Bills:  HB2936, HB1386.

1:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee. Bills:  SB2781.

4:30 p.m. House Criminal Justice Committee. Bills: HB1949, HB1614.

4:30 p.m. House K-12 Subcommittee. Bills: HB1634, HB2165.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

10:30 a.m. House State Government Committee. Bills:  HB2610.

Noon. House Civil Justice Committee. Bills:  HB2310.

2:00 p.m. Senate Education Committee. Bills:  SB1858, SB2501, SB2767.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

8:30. Senate floor. Bills:  SB1738.

9:00. House floor. Bills:  HB2169.

THE CAMPAIGNS BELOW HAVE EXPIRED.  GO TO THIS LINK FOR THE CAMPAIGNS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 18!

ACTION ITEMS

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP

Tuesday, March 12 starting at Noon presents several opportunities to show up. Committee hearing start times run through 4:30 p.m. Central Time in the Cordell Hull Building. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

UPDATE: The bill was defeated. No need to do this campaign. Skip down to the next one. *Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Higher Education Subcommittee to reject HB1660, a bill that would gut higher education non-discrimination policies. Add your own written or video message.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Judiciary and House Criminal Justice Committees to reject SB2781/HB1949, which is a horrible anti-trans bathroom bill.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Education Committee to reject SB1810, a bill that forces schools to out trans and non-binary students.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary and House Civil Justice Committees to vote NO on SB1738/HB2169, a bill that stops LGBTQ-affirming policies in adoption and foster care.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Education Committee and the House K-12 Subcommittee to vote NO on SB2766/HB1634, a bill that removes sexual orientation from policy and removes gender identity from the family life curriculum.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Commerce and Labor and House Health Committees to vote NO on SB2396/HB2816 that appears to be about healthcare for those who wish to detransition, but is actually a major and dangerous scheme of data reporting that presents risks for privacy.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee vote NO on SB1110/HB1386, a bill that gives a separate marriage option for man/woman couples.

*Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Civil Justice Committee to reject HB2310, a bill that stigmatizes travel for youth gender-affirming care. Add your own written or video message.

KEY CALLS TO MAKE

*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the House Higher Education Subcommittee to reject HB1660, a bill that would gut higher education non-discrimination policies. Leave messages at night or on the weekend.

*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the House K-12 Subcommittee to reject HB1634, a bill that removes sexual orientation from education policy and gender identity from the family life curriculum.

*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the House Criminal Justice Committee to reject HB1949, the anti-trans bathroom bill.

*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote NO on SB1738, a bill on non-discrimination policies in adoption and foster care.

FULL CALENDAR

Committees marked in blue contain high priority bills.

MONDAY, MARCH 11

1:00 p.m.  Senate Judiciary Committee. Bills:  SB1873, SB1110, SB2781, SB1738.

3:00 p.m.  House Higher Education Subcommittee. Bills:  HB1660.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

9:00 a.m.  House Education Instruction.  Bills:  HB2435.

9:00 a.m.  House Commerce Committee.  Bills:  HB1891.

Noon.  House Children and Family Affairs.  Bills:  HB1386.

Noon.  House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.  Bills:  HB1614.

1:00 p.m.  Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Bills:  SB2396, SB1792, SB2097, SB2042.

1:30 p.m.  House Banking and Consumer Affairs.  Bills:  HB2160.

3:00 p.m.  Senate Judiciary Committee.  Bills:  See the Monday entry above for bill numbers.

4:30 p.m.  House K-12 Subcommittee.  Bills:  HB1634.

4:30 p.m.  House Criminal Justice Committee.  Bills: HB1949.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

Noon.  Civil Justice Committee.  Bills:  HB2169 and HB2310.

3:00 p.m.  Senate Education Committee.  Bills:  SB2766, SB1810, SB2501, SB2767.

3:30 p.m.  House Health Committee.  Bills:  HB2816.

Several bills are on the calendar. We have provided a full calendar at the bottom of this page. At the top of the page you will find action items on key bills. Campaigns will be updated as they are available.

If you are joining from the article in The Nashville Scene, please know that we do not view the situation as hopeless. WPLN reported last week that the Pride flag ban bill has hit a "major snag" in the Senate. And just today HB1948 that attacks DEI in higher education was defeated in a House subcommittee. Let's dig in and fight these bills with the campaigns below.

ACTION ITEMS

KEY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOW UP

*Tuesday starting at Noon in House Hearing Room 4. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link. Note: Information about several committees is listed at the link.

KEY EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Higher Education Subcommittee. They will vote on HB1660 and HB1948 that attack the non-discrimination policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in Tennessee Higher Education.

*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Family & Children's Affairs Subcommittee. They will consider HB2169 on non-discrimination policies in adoption and foster care as well as HB1995 and HB1386, two bills that discriminate in favor of man/woman couples in marriage.

*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House K-12 Subcommittee. They will consider HB1634 that would remove references to sexual orientation and gender identity from policy.

*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Health Subcommittee. They will consider HB2816, which focuses on people who wish to detransition and it includes dangerous data collection processes.

*Use the easy form at the link to contact the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. They will consider HB2310, which, as amended, would provide for criminal and civil penalties for those who help transport minors for gender-affirming care.

KEY CALLS TO MAKE

*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for the House Higher Education Subommittee. They will vote on HB1660 and HB1948, bills that attack non-discrimination policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in higher education.

*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee. They will vote on HB2169, which prevents the state from having a pro-LGBTQ adoption and foster care placement policy, and HB1995 and HB1386, which give preferences to man/woman couples in marriage.

*Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for the House K-12 Subcommittee. They will vote on HB1634, which removes some references to sexual orientation and gender identity from policy and curriculum.

FULL CALENDAR

MONDAY, MARCH 4

3:00 p.m.--House Higher Education Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. Bills:  HB1660 and HB1948.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

9:00 a.m.--House Commerce Committee in House Hearing Room 1. Bills: HB1891.

Noon--House Children & Family Affairs in House Hearing Room 4. Bills: HB1913, HB2169, HB1995, HB2936, HB1386

1:30 p.m.--Health Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 4. Bills: HB2816.

1:30 p.m.--House Civil Justice Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 3. Bills: HB2310.

1:30 p.m.--Banking & Consumer Affairs in House Hearing Room 2. Bills: HB2160.

3:00 p.m.--Senate Judiciary in Senate Hearing Room 1. Bills: SB1873.

4:30 p.m.--House K-12 Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. Bills: HB1634.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

8:30 a.m.--Government Operations in Senate Hearing Room 1. Bills: SB2503.

10:30 a.m.--State Government Committee in House Hearing Room 1. Bills: HB1661.

Noon--Education Instruction Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 3. Bills: HB2435.

3:00 p.m.--Education Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1. Bills: SB2173 and SB2107.

We are hitting a critical point with key bills this session. Take action with the campaigns below and share them with people you know. More campaigns may be added over the coming days.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26

FLAG BAN BILL

SHOW UP: HB1605 is on the House floor. Join Nashville Pride and TEP in protesting the bill starting at 3pm near the House chamber inside the Capitol. Wear Pride gear, small signs provided. Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send a quick message to your own state representative on the bill.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27

SHOW UP: At 1:30 in House Hearing Room 2, the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee will consider HB1891, which is the "Protecting Children from Social Media Act."

Combined event for committee hearings on adoption/foster care and bathroom bills

UPDATE: We are now hearing that the adoption bill will not be heard until March. You can still do the campaigns.

SHOW UP:  SB1738 (adoption/foster care bill) and HB1949 (bathroom bill) are up for votes in key committees Tuesday afternoon. Show up for the 3:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1 and for the House Criminal Justice Committee hearing at 4:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room 3. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event.  NOTE: There two parent rights bills on notice in the Senate Judiciary Committee on this date. They are SB2749 and SB620. You may want to attend the committee hearing for those two bills.

Anti-trans bathroom bill

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to email members of the committee urging them to vote NO.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to contact members of the House Criminal Justice Committee and urge them to vote NO.

SPECIAL CALL LIST FOR SHELBY COUNTY: If you live in Shelby County, use this list to call legislators in your area.

SHOW UP: At 5:30 p.m., after the Criminal Justice Committee, there will be a vigil for Nex Benedict. Learn more at the Facebook event.

Adoption/foster care inclusive non-discrimination policy ban

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to email members of the committee urging them to vote NO.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote NO.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28

SHOW UP: HB1661, a bill on obscene materials in libraries, is up for a vote in the House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee at 9:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room 2.

ALL MONTH

CELEBRATE:  February is Black History Month.

On Saturday a group of Nazis marched in Nashville. The significance of this happening during Black History Month should not be lost on anyone. We join people of good will around the state in condemning this march and what it represents.

We cannot fail to note that on Tuesday, the House Education Administration Committee approved HB1605 after much debate. This bill selectively bans some flags in our public schools. What is less clear is whether the bill actually protects flags like the Nazi flag in our schools.  From The Tennessean:

During discussion on the bill, Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, asked whether the bill, if passed, would permit school staff to display the Confederate flag or the Nazi flag. 

“Can teachers display a Nazi flag in their classroom?” McKenzie said. 

Following a spirited back-and-forth, the committee attorney noted that the bill did not specifically address either flag, and a court might need to be called upon to answer the question.

It is the perfect time for the sponsors to drop HB1605. We call on them to withdraw the bill so that it does not give any further encouragement to Nazi activity in our state.

The bill is up for a vote in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. People can urge the committee to reject the bill with the campaign at this link.

Here are the campaigns so far for the week of February 19. More may be added as bills hit the calendar.

ALL MONTH

CELEBRATE: February is Black History Month.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Anti-trans bathroom bill

SHOW UP: HB1949, the bathroom bill, is back before House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Show up in House Hearing Room 2 at Noon. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link. Note that HB1913 (parent rights) is also up for a vote at Noon in Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee at Noon in House Hearing Room 4.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to generate a message to every member of the subcommittee.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the subcommittee members to oppose the bill.

Adoption/Foster care discrimination bill

SHOW UP: SB1738, a bill that bans inclusive non-discrimination policies in adoption and foster care, is up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 3:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link. Note: SB2749 (parent rights) is up for a vote in the same committee.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to generate a message to every member of the committee.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the committee members to oppose the bill.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

SHOW UP: HB1632, a bill that allows more people to sue schools over age-appropriate materials, is up for a vote in House Finance Subcommittee at 10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3.

Flag ban bill

SHOW UP: SB1722, the flag ban bill, is back before the Senate Education Committee at 3:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to generate a message to every member of the committee.

CALL:  Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the Senate Education Committee to oppose the bill.

ANY DAY

CALL:  Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to VETO SB596/HB878, the wedding official refusal bill because public officials should not turn anyone away who had a valid marriage license.

ADD YOUR NAME: Recently the House failed to adopt a resolution honoring Allison Russell. But you can endorse the resolution by adding your name at this link.

Some bills have been taken off notice or deferred. Others are starting to advance. Take action with these campaigns for the week of February 12. More campaigns may be added over the coming days.

ALL MONTH

CELEBRATE:  February is Black History Month.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12

SHOW UP:  SB596, the wedding officiant refusal bill, is on the Senate floor calendar. 4:00 p.m., Capitol (not Cordell Hull).

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send a quick message to your state senator to oppose the bill.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13:  Advancing Equality Day on the Hill

SHOW UP: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee takes up HB1949, a really bad bathroom bill at Noon in House Hearing Room 2. Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send email messages to the members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee urging them to oppose this bathroom bill.

CALL: Use the scripts and the numbers at the link to call the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee urging them to oppose this bathroom bill.

SHOW UP: We are watching HB1891 by Rep. Lamberth. The bill is up for a vote at 1:30 p.m. in the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2. The bill creates the "Protecting Children from Social Media Act."

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14:  Valentine's Day

SHOW UP: HB1605, the Pride flag ban bill, is up for a vote in House Education Administration Committee at 1:30 p.m. and in the Senate Education Committee at 3:00 p.m. Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send email messages to the members of the Senate Education Committee and the House Education Administration Committee urging them to oppose the flag ban bill.

CALL:  Use the scripts and the numbers at the link to call members of the House Education and Administration Committee to oppose the flag ban bill. Call at night or on the weekend to get office voice mail.

CALL:  Use the scripts and the numbers at the link to call members of the Senate Education Committee to oppose the flag ban bill. Call at night or on the weekend to get office voice mail.

Please, go to the campaigns for the week of March 25. The campaigns below expired a few weeks ago.

With the conclusion of bill filing on February 1, more bills are hitting committee calendars. Take action on the bills moving the week of February 5. We may add more campaigns over the coming days.

ALL MONTH

CELEBRATE:  February is Black History Month.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5

GOOD NEWS! THIS BILL IS NOW OFF NOTICE. NO NEED TO SHOW UP. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THE CAMPAIGNS. SKIP DOWN TO THE CAMPAIGNS FOR TUESDAY!

SHOW UP: HB1660, which would cause sexual orientation and gender identity to be removed from the non-discrimination policies of Tennessee's public colleges and universities, is up for a vote in the House Higher Education Subcommittee in House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL: Tell the Higher Education Subcommittee to vote NO on this bill using the easy form at the link.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with the members of the subcommittee. Call at night or on weekends if you don't wish to speak to a live person. Your message will go to office voice mail.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6

SHOW UP

Noon: HB1913, which parent bill of rights legislation that we are watching is up for a vote at Noon in House Hearing Room 4 at Noon Central Time. NOTE: WE ARE NOW HEARING THAT THIS BILL WILL BE DEFERRED.

3:00 pm:  The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider SB596 (wedding officiant refusal bill) and SB620 (parent rights) at a time to be determined, probably in Senate Hearing Room 1. Learn more at the Facebook event link. NOTE: WE ARE NOW HEARING THAT SB620 WILL BE DEFERRED UNTIL LATE FEBRUARY.

4:30 pm: HB1605, which would cause Pride and Black Lives Matter flags to be banned at school, is up for a vote in the House K-12 Subcommittee at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL

WEDDING OFFICIANT REFUSAL & PARENT RIGHTS BILLS: Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote NO.

FLAG BAN: Use the easy form at the link to tell the K-12 subcommittee to vote NO on the flag ban bill.

CALL

SB596 and SB620: Use the scripts and numbers on the marriage and parent rights bills at the link and leave messages by the evening of Feb. 5.

HB1605: Use the scripts and numbers on the flag ban bill at the link and leave messages by the evening of Feb. 5.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

SHOW UP:  At 9:00 a.m., the House Departments and Agencies Subcommittee will consider HB1661 by Rep. Ragan, which enacts the "Restricted Access by Minors to Obscene Library Materials Act. The subcommittee meets in House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building.  UPDATE: THIS BILL HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF NOTICE FOR NOW.

HB1632

SHOW UP:  The House Education Administration Committee will consider HB1632, which expands who can sue to enforce the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022, at 1:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room of the Cordell Hull Building.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO.

CALL:  Use the scripts and numbers on HB1632 at the link and leave messages by the evening of February 6.

Bill filing in the Tennessee General Assembly will end on January 31 and February 1. New bills are already hitting committee calendars. Please, go through this calendar and do as many of the items as you can. More campaigns may be added in the coming days as we learn more.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30

SHOW UP: House Bill 1605, which would have the effect of banning Pride and Black Lives Matter flags at our public schools, is up for a vote in the House K-12 Subcommittee at 4:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building. We recommend getting there early to get a seat. Wear Balcony Brigade shirts or Pride/Rainbow stickers and buttons. Learn more at the Facebook link. Also up for a vote in the same subcommittee is HB1632, which allows parents to sue school districts to enforce the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to send a message to members of the House K-12 Subcommittee urging them to vote NO on the bills. You can personalize the message and even add a short video message.

CALL:  Use the easy scripts and numbers at the link to leave phone messages for the members of the subcommittee. If you don't wish to speak to a live person, call at night or on the weekends so that your message goes to office voicemail.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1

CELEBRATE:  Black History Month begins.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3

LEARN:  GLAAD is offering their "Telling Your Story" training in Nashville. RSVP and learn more at the link.

The week of January 22 will largely be a week to make up for the Legislature's absence from the Hill during the week of January 15. We expect the snow and ice to be gone or melting by January 22. Not only were legislators not in Nashville to conduct floor and committee business, but most bill-filing came to a halt. This may have an effect on the bill-filing deadline for both House and Senate.

MONDAY, JANUARY 22

SHOW UP:  Starting at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, Nashville Pride and TEP will host Pride Flag Day at the Capitol in response to SB1722/HB1605, the bill that would ban Pride and other flags at school. Participants are urged to wear something with a Pride flag including buttons or stickers or have a small Pride flag. Some signs will be available. To learn more, go to the Facebook event link. Note: The event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24

CALENDAR NOTE:  HB1377 by Rep. Ragan, which is a bill about reporting "prohibited concepts" in education, is on the House Education Administration Committee calendar at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. It failed in the Senate Education Committee last year. The lobbying team does not expect the bill to run, but we won't know until Wednesday. You can attend the committee meeting in House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LEARN:  On February 3 starting at Noon Central Time in Nashville, GLAAD offers their "Telling Your Story" training. Learn more at the link.

SHOW UP: Feb 13 is Advancing Equality Day on the Hill. We need people from around the state to come to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville and meet with their legislators. If you are interested, please email us with either the names of your two legislators or your street address and Zip Code at [email protected] . Learn more at the Facebook event link.

We start with a big thank-you to the members of the Balcony Brigade who showed up from all over the state for the first day of the legislative session. Let's keep it up! If you are interested in getting involved, contact Brian Sullivan at [email protected] .

What happened this week? Legislators continued to file bills and the House adopted restrictive rules that affected not only members of the House but the public's access as well. The decline of our state's democracy is extremely frightening.

The Senate Judiciary Committee deferred SB596 (wedding officiant refusal bill) and SB620 (anti-LGBTQ parent rights bill). Those will now be heard on Feb. 6.

Thank you for all your advocacy. We have a comparatively light week beginning January 15, though it is important to note that old bills from last year could still pop up on the calendar at any time. So we may make additions as we learn more.

MONDAY, JANUARY 15

Today is the holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Legislature will not be in session.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 THROUGH END OF WEEK

CALENDAR ITEM:  The Cordell Hull Building will be closed all week because of the snow. See information at this link.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17

HB1377 by Rep. Ragan, which is a bill on reporting "prohibited concepts," was officially on the calendar of the House Education Administration Committee, which will not meet this week because of the snow. The bill was filed last year and failed in the Senate Education Committee. On the same day last year it was reset for the first committee calendar of the new year. The lobbying team does not expect the bill to run. We will know NEXT WEDNESDAY more about its direction.

LOOKING AHEAD

SHOW UP:  January 22 is Pride Flag Day at the Capitol at 3pm. Join Nashville Pride and TEP, wearing your best Pride/rainbow flag gear. The House and Senate floor sessions start at 4pm. Learn more at the Facebook event link. If you've been wanting a rally, here it is!

LEARN: February 3 is a "Telling Your Story" training offered by GLAAD in Nashville. RSVP and learn more at the link.

SHOW UP: Feb 13 is Advancing Equality Day on the Hill. We need people from around the state to come to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville and meet with their legislators. If you are interested, please email us with either the names of your two legislators or your street address and Zip Code at [email protected] . Learn more at the Facebook event link.

As well as filing bills, the Legislature is also scheduling existing bills to hit committee and floor calendars in the launch of their 2024 session. Use the campaigns in this post to advocate for the LGBTQ community.

ANY TIME BEFORE THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 9

CALL:  Use the easy scripts at the link to leave messages with the Senate Judiciary on a wedding officiant bill and a parent rights bills. Note: If you don't wish to speak to a live person, leave messages in the evening or on the weekend. The numbers provided are office numbers with voice mail.

EMAIL: Use the easy form at this link to email the members of the Senate Judiciary to oppose SB596 and SB620. Please, note that SB596 is NOT about marriage LICENSES.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9

SHOW UP:  Come to the Capitol at 11:00 a.m. Central Time. The Legislature convenes at Noon. Wear your Balcony Brigade shirt if you have one. If not, we'll provide stickers. Co-hosted with HRC Nashville. RSVP at the Facebook event link.

SHOW UP:  Come to Senate Hearing Room 1 in the Cordell Hull Building at 4:00 p.m. as the Senate Judiciary votes on a marriage officiant bill and a parent rights bill. RSVP at the Facebook event link. Note: As of 1pm on January 8, we are hearing that neighbor bill may be discussed at the committee meeting.

The 11th Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest will be held on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 from 4:30 to 7 PM at the Memphis Sports and Events Center. TEP's annual celebration brings together teams from near and far to compete for the best gumbo in Memphis. Gumbo contestants will be awarded prizes by an appointed panel of judges and by individual tasters like you in the People’s Choice competition. You can purchase individual tickets at this link.

TEP's annual gumbo competition draws large crowds who support the LGBTQ community of the Mid-South and draws many public and elected officials. 

You can support this year’s event and the work of TEP to advance and protect equality in Tennessee as a host or in-kind sponsor. Here are the steps:

1. Review the sponsor information below and select the right level for you on the webpage. If you prefer to write a check for your sponsorship, please email [email protected] to coordinate.  
2. If you choose a Habanero or Serrano sponsorship, you will be assigned a VIP Table in the event space with a dedicated bar.
3. Sponsors will receive tickets within a few weeks of the event, to be provided in coordination with the Gumbo Planning Committee (e.g., by mail, delivered in-person, etc.).
4. We ask that sponsors that do not need or wish to use all their tickets to let the gumbo planning committee know, so they may offer those tickets to attendees who otherwise could not attend the event. Contact us at [email protected] .
   
5. VIP Table recipients are encouraged to decorate their tables! This year, we recommend incorporating donatable items into your decorations like toiletries, clothing, or non-perishable food that will be provided to local pantries that support our community.
6. Sponsors must submit event program ads and organizational logos for the sponsor reel (300+ dpi image) to the Gumbo Planning Committee at [email protected] by February 12, 2024 to guarantee ad placement. Ad specifications are listed below; please contact us with additional questions.

HOST SPONSORSHIPS

How spicy do you like your gumbo? Gumbo contest sponsors may contribute as hosts for this event at the Habanero, Serrano, or Sweet Bell level as individuals, organizations or businesses:

🔥HABANERO SPONSOR🔥

Flaming sponsors giving $1,500 will receive:

• VIP Table (6 seats) with complimentary Mardi Gras-themed desserts (while supplies last). 
• 6 gumbo tasting tickets for the People’s Choice competition which includes live music and exclusive VIP section with open bar. 
• Promotional advertisement of your business on the event web page. 
• Promotion of your business or organization on the TEP Gumbo contest website and in the event program (full page ad - 5.5 x 8.5”), event announcements, event advertising, and individual slides on the sponsor reel display.*
• Will be thanked from the main stage during event announcements

SERRANO SPONSOR

Medium sponsors giving $750 will receive:

• VIP Table (6 seats) with complimentary Mardi Gras-themed desserts (while supplies last).
• 6 gumbo tasting tickets for the People’s Choice competition which includes live music and exclusive VIP section with open bar.
• Promotional advertisement of your business on the event web page. 
• Promotion of your business or organization on the TEP Gumbo contest website and in the event program (full page ad - 5.5 x 8.5”), and on the sponsor reel display.*

SWEET BELL SPONSOR

Mild sponsors giving $250 will receive:

• 2 gumbo tasting tickets for the People’s Choice competition which includes live music and open bar.
• Promotion of your business, organization, or an honor in the event program (half page ad - 5.5 x 4.25” or 2.75 x 8.5”) and on a shared slide on the sponsor reel display.*

*Sponsors must submit event program ads and organizational logos for the sponsor reel (300+ dpi image) to Chaz Fowler at [email protected] by February 12, 2024 to guarantee ad placement.

Click the "Continue" button on the left to contribute your desired sponsorship level based on the above table. 

IN-KIND SPONSORS

In-kind gifts for the event may be donated. In-kind sponsors will receive event admission tickets and promotion of your business in the event program. In-kind gifts of $750 or greater will receive a VIP Table with 6 seats. In-kind gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

To donate, volunteer, or for more information, contact the Gumbo Planning Committee at [email protected] .

Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Why should your business or organization sponsor the TEP Gumbo Contest?

Tennessee Equality Project Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides educational projects and programs which advance the well-being of LGBTQ people and their families here at home in Tennessee. Unlike many other organizations that advance equality, every dollar contributed to TEP Foundation is spent here in Tennessee.

A diverse group of over 500 LGBTQ people and their allies attend the TEP Gumbo Contest each year. Attendees receive a program with sponsor ads and information, and will see the event sponsor reel on the projection screen during the event. Our PRESENTING sponsor and HABANERO sponsors will be thanked from the main stage during event announcements.  

Your sponsorship will be advertised through the TEP Gumbo Contest Event web page, social media, and email list (20,000+ contacts). Tennessee Equality Project social media reach extends deeply in the Mid-South and the State of Tennessee:

• Facebook Page: 18,000+ followers
• Facebook Group: 8000+ members
• Instagram @TNEquality: 10,400+ followers

Members of the Tennessee General Assembly are filing bills and anti-LGBTQ legislation is already showing up for the 2024 session. This list will be updated and revised periodically. It will also include positive legislation.

New Discriminatory Legislation for the 2024 Session

SB1722/HB1605 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Bulso. The official summary notes, "As introduced, prohibits LEAs and public charter schools from displaying in public schools flags other than the official United States flag and the official Tennessee state flag." This bill would have an impact on the flying of Pride and Black Lives Matter flags at school and many other flags as well. See our policy brief on the bill here.

SB1858/HB1632 by Sen. Haile and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, gives a parent of a child who attends, or who is eligible to attend, a school operated by a local education agency or a public charter school standing to file a civil action against the LEA or public charter school in a chancery court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022.

SB2766/HB1634 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, revises language prohibiting educators from discriminating against students on certain, specified bases such as sexual orientation to generally prohibiting educators from discriminating against students who are members of a protected class under federal or state law; removes the definition of "gender identity" for purposes of the family life curriculum. Note: The sponsor was originally Rep. Ragan.

SB2351/HB1660 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, prohibits certain institutions of higher education from defining discriminatory practices in their antidiscrimination policies in a manner inconsistent with the definition of discriminatory practices in state law; prohibits certain institutions of higher education from establishing or recognizing forms of discrimination in their antidiscrimination policies in a manner inconsistent with the forms of discrimination recognized as legally actionable by this state; requires the Tennessee higher education commission to establish a process for persons to file a complaint alleging that an institution is not complying with such prohibitions.

SB2173/HB1661 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, enacts the "Restricted Access by Minors to Obscene Library Materials Act."

SB1738/HB2169 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Littleton. As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act," which prohibits the department of children's services from requiring an adoptive or foster parent to support a policy on sexual orientation or gender identity that conflicts with the parent's sincerely held religious or moral beliefs.

SB1810/HB2165 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Littleton. As introduced, requires a request made by a student to an employee of the student's LEA or public charter school for an accommodation to affirm the student's gender identity to be reported to a school administrator and to the student's parent; prohibits an employee of an LEA or public charter school from knowingly providing false or misleading information to a student's parent regarding the student's gender identity or intention to transition to a gender that differs from the student's sex at the time of birth; authorizes civil actions to be filed by parents and by the attorney general and reporter against a noncompliant LEA or public charter school.

SB2350/HB1948 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, establishes various prohibitions and requirements for public institutions of higher education regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

SB2781/HB1949 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, expands the offense of observation without consent to include a person or entity that adopts rules or enforces a policy or other work-related guidance for employees or contractors to promote or assist in the commission of observation without consent in a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, including a restroom, locker room, dressing room, or shower, designated for multi-person, single-sex use; creates a civil action for invasion of privacy based on a violation of observation without consent.

SB2780/HB1995 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, requires the department to create a separate marriage license application form and marriage license form that may be used by applicants if the bride is a female and the groom is a male; prohibits a county clerk from certifying and recording this marriage license form if the form was used to solemnize a marriage between persons other than a female bride and a male groom.

SB1873/HB1913 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Parents' Bill of Rights."

HB1991 by Rep. Leatherwood. As introduced, establishes a complaint, hearing, and removal process for clubs and organizations available to students attending a public school.  We are concerned about the implications for GSAs. Note: The bill has been withdrawn.

SB2107/HB2457 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Lynn. As introduced, requires the removal of sexually explicit material from the libraries of public schools; creates a process for evaluating library materials for sexually explicit material in public schools.

SB2782/HB2310 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Richey. As introduced, creates a civil cause of action against any person who knowingly removes a minor from this state without the consent of a parent of the minor for the purpose of assisting the minor in obtaining a healthcare procedure that is for the purpose of enabling the minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor's sex or treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minor's sex and asserted identity.

SB2396/HB2816 by Sen. Briggs and Rep. Faison. As introduced, requires gender clinics accepting funds from this state to perform gender transition procedures to also perform detransition procedures; requires insurance entities providing coverage of gender transition procedures to also cover detransition procedures; requires certain gender clinics and insurance entities to report information regarding detransition procedures to the department of health.

SB2503/HB2610 by Sen. Stevens and Rep. Garrett. As introduced, terminates the human rights commission with no wind-down period; creates the human rights division in the office of attorney general; transfers the commission's functions to the new division.

SB2501/HB2784 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Cepicky. As introduced, establishes deadlines for public institutions of higher education to initiate and complete an investigation into a report filed by a student or employee alleging they have been penalized, discriminated against, or received adverse treatment due to their refusal to support or otherwise assent to a divisive concept, specific ideology, or political viewpoint; establishes financial penalties for institutions that fail to timely investigate such reports or fail to timely report the results of such investigations to the comptroller of the treasury; requires the comptroller to report institutions that frequently submit reports of such investigations to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives.

SB2749/HB2936 by Sen. Haile and Rep. Faison. As introduced, enacts the “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act."

SB2861/HB2619 by Sen. Roberts and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, permits the department to file its annual report regarding the effectiveness of diversion of offenders from state correctional institutions electronically.  As amended, the bill prevents the state from paying for gender-affirming care for incarcerated persons.

New Legislation monitored for discriminatory possibilities or implications

SB1792/HB1614 by Sen. Massey and Rep. Hazlewood. As introduced, enacts the "Protect Tennessee Minors Act"; requires an individual or commercial entity that publishes or distributes in this state a website that contains a substantial portion of material harmful to minors perform reasonable age-verification methods to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the material; specifies that a violation of age-verification or data retention requirements is a Class C felony.  We are watching the bill to see how material harmful to minors is defined. We have concerns that it could include all LGBTQ content or be amended to include all LGBTQ content.

SB1643 by Sen. Pody. As introduced, requires commercial entities that publish or distribute material on an internet website, more than one-third of which is sexual material harmful to minors, to verify that an individual attempting to access the material is 18 years of age or older; prohibits a commercial entity or a third party that performs the age verification from retaining any identifying information of the individual. We are watching the bill to see how material harmful to minors is defined with concerns similar to those related to HB1614. No House sponsor.

SB2097/HB1891 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Lamberth. As introduced, creates the "Protecting Children from Social Media Act."

SB2042/HB2160 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Barrett. As introduced, requires a commercial entity that knowingly publishes or distributes on the internet material harmful to minors to provide internet or cellular service subscribers the opportunity to request that the commercial entity block website access through the subscriber's internet or cellular service subscription.

SB2767/HB2435 by Sen. Bowling/Rep. Bulso. As introduced, requires the commissioner of education to annually transmit, no later than October 1 of each year, filings submitted to the commissioner by a local board of education regarding any action or inaction taken by the board in response to an investigation conducted by the director of schools in response to a complaint filed by a parent or legal guardian of a student who received instruction in family life that the parent or legal guardian believes to violate the requirements for such instruction to the chairs of the education committees of the senate and house of representatives.

Bills from the 2023 Session

SB596/HB878 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Fritts. As introduced, states that a person is not required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person's conscience or religious beliefs.

SB1339/HB1215 by Sen. Johnson and Speaker Sexton. As introduced, prohibits any managed care organization that contracts with the bureau of TennCare to provide medical assistance from providing reimbursement or coverage for a medical procedure if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling a person to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the person's sex, or treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between a person's sex and asserted identity.

SB1110/HB1386 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, enacts the "Marital Contract at Common Law Recording Act"; authorizes county clerks to accept and record a record of common law marriage between one man and one woman; limits the jurisdiction of circuit courts and chancery courts in cases involving the definition of common law marriage to the principles of common law marriage.

SB620/HB1414 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Todd. As introduced, enacts the "Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act", which declares that the ability of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of that parent’s child is a fundamental right. Note the language on gender identity in the bill.

SB1469/HB1447 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Faison. As introduced, clarifies that prescribing hormone treatment for minors is not a standard medical practice when the treatment is for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex or treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between a minor's sex and asserted identity.

SB918/HB1319 by Senator Rose and Rep. Kumar. This is a caption bill with an amendment that would have the effect of restricting the display of flags such as Pride flags and Black Lives Matter flags on public buildings.

SB138/HB761 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Eldridge. This bill regulates phones and tablets sold in Tennessee and filtering of material deemed harmful to minors. It appears to be dealing with pornography, but it could be used to filter LGBTQ content.

SB603/HB571 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Carringer. As introduced, prohibits public institutions of higher education offering certain medical and health-related degree or certificate programs, and state contractors, from requiring diversity, equity, and inclusion training and education for purposes of the issuance of a degree, or the approval of a state contract or grant, as applicable. Note: It is not clear the extent to which the practice is occurring with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity in Tennessee.

How to Prepare for the Legislative Session:

Save the Date: February 13 is Advancing Equality Day on the Hill.

If you would like to be involved in the Balcony Brigade, contact TEP Nashville Co-Chair Brian Sullivan at [email protected] .

Once the legislative session starts in January, watch for weekly campaigns on key bills @tnequality on X/Twitter, Threads, and Instagram.

Attend First Watch of the Balcony Brigade on January 9 at the Capitol. RSVP at the link.

Attend Pride Flag Day at the Capitol on January 22. RSVP at the link.

Attend GLAAD's "Telling Your Story" training in Nashville on February 3. RSVP at the link.

Use this easy form to email your two legislators and urge them to focus on Tennessee's priorities, not LGBTQ attacks.

Thank you for visiting us at BoroPride. If you would like to get involved, please consider these options.

Volunteer Locally: If you're interested in volunteering in Middle Tennessee, contact TEP Nashville Committee Co-Chair Brian Sullivan at [email protected]. We need volunteers for managing our tables at events, help with outreach, and gathering when issues come before state and local government.

Advancing Equality Day on the Hill: If you want to save the date for Advancing Equality Day on the Hill, go to this link. This is a day to spend time with your state legislators in Nashville and discuss bills that affect the LGBTQ community.

Balcony Brigade: We need more people to attend key legislative committee meetings and to be in the Senate and House galleries when important votes are taking place during the legislative session. Being present allows people to LEARN the process, WITNESS what is happening to our Democracy, and ENGAGE in deeper advocacy. If you would like to sign up, go to this link. For a quick video on the initiative, go to this link. This initiative offers many opportunities for partner organizations to co-host individual events in the Capitol or in the Cordell Hull Building. If your organization is interested, contact TEP Nashville Co-Chairs Dahron Johnson and Brian Sullivan at [email protected] and [email protected] or fill out the form linked above.

Media Engagement: News media outlets are frequently interested in talking to people affected by discriminatory state legislation. If you would like to be available to speak to the media, contact Brian Sullivan at [email protected] .

We are grateful for your support.

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is one of the largest local governments in Tennessee. Like many of its peer cities around the country, Metro Nashville has made steady public policy gains for LGBTQ people since 2007, but the city's Benefit Board has failed to offer comprehensive gender-affirming health care benefits.

From Tennessee Equality Project's perspective, this injustice must be addressed. We do not need convincing that transgender people deserve full health care benefits. But we do need to understand why it has been so difficult to achieve the goal.  We also need to know what paths are available to provide these vital resources to Metro Nashville government employees.

To that end, we engaged Heather Meshell of Capitol Hill Advocacy to prepare a report that gives us a map of recent efforts to adopt comprehensive gender-affirming care for Metro Nashville employees, the structural and legal issues, and some options to consider over the coming months.  You can find the report here. 

If you would like to be engaged in efforts to advocate for comprehensive gender-affirming care for Metro Nashville Government employees, be in touch at [email protected] .