Happy Pride Month to you. If you've found us at a Pride celebration or through social media, there are some easy ways to help.

1. Use the easy campaign at the link to tell your state senator and your state representative that you are celebrating Pride and that no state resolution can change that.  

2. Consider making a small contribution at the link to support our direct lobbying work.

3. Volunteer with us at Upper Cumberland Pride or at Nashville Pride. Email us at [email protected] to learn how.

This may be the last week of the legislative session. We are grateful for all your advocacy and ask that you sustain it for just a few more days. More campaigns may be added if other bills pop up on the calendar.

CALL

Veto calls on HB754:  The trans health data surveillance bill as amended is heading to Governor Lee's desk. We ask that you leave him a voice message or an email message or both.

1. Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001.

2. Listen for the quick recording and choose the option to leave a message.

3. Here's a sample message you can adapt.  "Governor Lee, my name is __________ and I live in __________. I urge you to veto House Bill 754. Even with the amendments, the bill requires so much unprecedented data collection that it puts patients and providers in danger. Thank you."

4. You can also leave a written comment with the Governor at this link.

5. Get creative. If you don't want to call or leave a message, you can also make a video or a piece of art and tag the Governor on Instagram at @govbilllee . If you also tag @tnequality, we might see and share it in Instagram stories or repost it. No guarantees, of course.

EMAIL

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering via honorifics bill still has not been heard on the House floor, even though it was scheduled for last week. If you have not already done so, use the campaign at the link to tell YOUR state representative to vote NO.

Emails on SB468/HB571:  This bill prevents trans people from being housed according to their gender identity in shelters, dorms, and incarceration/detention facilities. The Senate and House are likely to release their conference report this week and vote on it. Tell YOUR state senator and YOUR state representative to vote NO on the report because no version of the bill is acceptable. Use the easy form at the link.

Emails on SB936:  This bill guts local government policies that affirm gender identity beyond a simple binary. The bill is on the Senate floor on Wednesday. Take action at the link.

We are down to just a few bills still moving, but your advocacy is just as critical in the final weeks. Take action with these campaigns. More may be added in the coming days. 

VETO CALLS TO THE GOVERNOR ON HB754

The Trans Health Data Surveillance Bill

1. Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001

2. Listen to the quick recording and choose the option to leave a message.

3. Here's a sample message you can adapt.

"Governor Lee, my name is __________ and I live in __________. I urge you to veto House Bill 754. Even with the amendments, the bill requires so much unprecedented data collection that it puts patients and providers in danger. Thank you."

SHOW UP

Monday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. inside the Capitol, near the Senate Chamber: Rally against SB676, the trans health data surveillance bill. TEP is co-hosting this event with Launch Pad, PFLAG Nashville, Nashville Pride, Tennessee Pride Chamber, and HRC Nashville. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL

Emails on SB676: A new campaign on the bill. There will be a Senate amendment on Monday to limit some of the data points collected on trans health surveillance bill. But it is still a dangerous bill. Urge your own state senator to vote NO with the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB2055:  A bill that has been amended to ban state and local government health plans from covering gender-affirming care is on the House floor on April 13. Take action with this easy campaign to let your state representative know your views.

Emails on HB2082:  A bill that gives a legal boost to anti-trans parents is on the House floor on April 13. Use the easy form at the link to tell your state representative your views.

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering via honorifics bill is headed to the House floor soon. Use the easy form at the link to tell your member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to reject the bill.

Bills are moving fast in the last weeks of this legislative session. Some bills that had been delayed are showing new life and other bills are turning into attack legislation through amendments. Take action with these campaigns. Changes to the schedule may be added in the coming days.

EMAIL

Emails on HB2055:  This bill has been amended to ban gender-affirming care coverage for state and local government employees. It is up for a vote in House Government Operations Committee on Monday. Take action with the easy campaign at the link.

Emails on SB468/HB571:  This bill that attacks trans access to shelters, safe housing in prisons/detention centers, and dorms is going to a Senate/House conference committee any time now. Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR state senator and YOUR state representative to reject any version of the bill.

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering via honorifics bill is headed to the House Education Committee on Wednesday. Take action with the easy campaign at the link.

Emails on HB2082:  The legal boost for anti-trans parents is headed to the House floor. Tell YOUR state representative to vote NO with the easy campaign at the link.

Emails on SB676:  The data grab bill could hit the Senate floor soon. Take action with this easy campaign to tell YOUR state senator to vote NO.

SCHEDULE

Note:  All floor sessions are included as bills move more quickly from calendar to the floor in the final weeks.

Monday, April 6

11:00. a.m. House Government Operations. HB2055 as amended bans state and local government from offering health plans that cover gender-affirming care.

2:00 p.m. House Floor Session. SB2031 related to liability for providers of gender-affirming care on Message Calendar.

3:00 p.m. Senate Floor Session. 

Tuesday, April 7

8:30 a.m. House Floor Session.

1:00 p.m. Senate Commerce. Monitoring.

Wednesday, April 8

8:30 a.m. House Floor Session.

10:30 a.m. House Education Committee. HB1666 on misgendering via honorifics.

10:30 a.m. House State & Local Government Committee. HB2449 on library materials reconsideration. This bill is still in the Delayed Bills Committee in the Senate.

Thursday, April 9

9:00 a.m. Senate Floor Session. SB676, the dangerous data surveillance bill, is on the Senate floor.

9:00 a.m. House Floor Session.

Thank you for all your advocacy!

Many discriminatory bills have faced major setbacks, but extremely dangerous bills are still moving. Take action with these campaigns for bills moving the week of March 30. A fuller legislative schedule will be added in the coming days.

EMAIL

Emails on SB676:  The data grab/surveillance bill that endangers trans people throughout Tennessee could be up for a Senate floor vote soon. Take action with the easy campaign at the link to contact your own state senator. 

Emails on HB1271:  A bill that started as a declaration that there are only two sexes has been amended to undo pro-trans policies in local governments around the state. The bill hits the House floor on Monday. Take action with the easy campaign at the link to contact your own state representative.

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering/honorifics bill that originated as an attack on one trans instructor is back in the House State & Local Government Committee on March 31. Take action with the easy campaign at the link to tell the committee to vote NO.

Emails on HB2082:  The bill that gives a legal boost to anti-trans parents is up for a vote in House Judiciary Committee on April 1. Take action with the easy campaign at the link and tell the committee to vote NO.

Emails on SB2118:  This bill bans TennCare from covering gender-affirming care. Existing regulations already prevent the same thing. Tell YOUR senator to vote NO on the bill using the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB1872:  This bill makes it easier to sue providers of gender-affirming care. Despite some helpful amendments, it's still a bad bill and we oppose it in any form. Take action and tell YOUR state representative to vote NO on the bill on April 2.

Emails on SB468/HB571:  This anti-trans housing bill related to shelters, dorms, and detention/prison facilities could go to a Senate/House conference committee at any time. No version of the bill is good. Tell YOUR state senator and your state representative to vote NO on the bill with the easy form at the link.

SCHEDULE

Monday, March 30

2:00 p.m. House floor session. HB1271 requires state agencies and local government to remove any policies that conflict with the idea that there are only two sexes and it prevents them from adopting new policies that conflict with that idea.

3:00 p.m. Senate floor session. SB2118 bans TennCare from covering gender-affirming care. Regulations already do this.

Tuesday, March 31

11:00 a.m. House State & Local Government Committee. HB2449 requires libraries to adopt a materials reconsideration policy.  HB1666 allows people to refuse to use a trans or nonbinary person's honorifics at school. HB2055 has been amended to block state and local government health care plans from covering gender-affirming care.

Wednesday, April 1

10:30 a.m.  House Judiciary Committee. HB2082 provides a legal boost for anti-trans parents. The following bills are also on notice in the committee for April 1, but they either failed or are deferred in the Senate:  HB315 (gender language of marriage licenses), HB1474 (Pride flags and celebrations), and HB1472 (banning Bostock).

Thursday, April 2

9:00 a.m. House floor session. HB1872 makes it easier to sue gender-affirming health care providers. SB468 on prohibiting trans women from being in women-designated spaces like dorms, shelters, and prisons is on the message calendar. 

Legislative schedules are becoming more fluid as some committees are meeting multiple times in a week. The date for which a bill is on notice may not be the day on which it is voted.  Take action with the campaigns below.

CALL

Calls on HB1665:  This bill censors questions about gender in youth health care with some mental health provider exemptions.  Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to VETO House Bill 1665.

EMAIL

Click each bill number below and use the easy forms that will generate an email to legislators.

HB754 

HB1472 

SB1745 and SB1746 

SB2031 

HB2082 

HB1474 

SB2409 

HB1666 

HB1271

SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change. Bills may be added, especially to Senate and House floor sessions. Some bills may not be heard at all.

Monday, March 23

Noon.  Senate Judiciary

SB1745 Banning Bostock and SB1746 Obergefell

Note:  These bills would likely be heard on Tuesday since the Judiciary Committee is taking up committee member bills on Monday.

2:15 p.m.  House Judiciary

HB1872 Suing gender-affirming care providers, HB2082 Anti-trans parent legal boost, HB1474 Pride flags and celebrations, HB315 Marriage licenses (bumped to next year in Senate), HB1472 Banning Bostock, HB1271 Only 2 sexes

3:30 p.m. Senate Chamber in the Capitol

SB2031 Suing gender-affirming care providers

Tuesday, March 24

8:30 a.m. Senate Finance

SB676 Gender-affirming care data grab

10:30 a.m. Senate State & Local Government

SB2409 Pride flags and celebrations

Noon. House State & Local Government

HB2449 Library materials reconsideration (still in delayed bills committee in the Senate) and HB1666 Misgendering by honorifics

1:00 Senate Judiciary

See the Monday reference to Senate Judiciary

Wednesday, March 25

10:30 a.m. Senate Judiciary

Noon. House Judiciary

1:00 p.m. Senate State & Local

1:30 p.m. House State & Local

Thursday, March 26

9:00 a.m. House Chamber in the Capitol.

HB754 Gender-affirming care data grab

Show up:  Singing Resistance Nashville joins TEP's Balcony Brigade and PFLAG Nashville starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Capitol near the House Chamber to protest HB754. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event.

Many bills are reaching their critical pass or fail point. Take action with these campaigns.

CALL

Calls on SB676: The gender clinic data grab bill comes before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday morning. Use the scripts and numbers at the link to call the members of the committee and urge them to vote NO.

Calls on SB2409:  The bill banning government display of Pride flags and government support of Pride celebrations comes before the Senate State & Local Government Committee on Tuesday morning. Use the scripts and numbers at the link to call the members of the committee and urge them to vote NO.

EMAIL

Emails on HB1665:  Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR representative to vote NO on the bill censoring gender questions in youth health care.

Emails on SB676:  Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Finance Committee to vote NO on the gender clinic data grab bill.

Emails on SB2409:  Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate State & Local Government Committee to vote NO on the bill restricting government display of Pride flags and government support of Pride celebrations.

Emails on SB2118:  Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Health & Welfare Committee to vote NO on the bill banning TennCare from covering gender-affirming care. 

Emails on HB754:  Use the easy form at the link to tell House Finance Committee to vote NO on the gender clinic data grab bill.

Emails on HB1666 and HB2449:  Use the easy form at the link to tell the House State & Local Government Committee to vote NO on the misgendering/honorifics bill and the bill imposing a statewide library materials reconsideration policy.

Emails on SB1664:  Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR state senator to vote NO on the bill censoring gender questions in youth health care. It is on the Senate floor on Thursday morning.

SHOW UP

Note:  We recommend showing up for the Wednesday committee hearings. The TEP team will be on hand to answer your questions on Wednesday.

Monday, March 16

2:00 p.m. House Chamber in the Capitol. HB1665 on gender questions in youth health care is on the floor.

6:30 p.m. Central Time. Zoom phone bank with Tennessee Pride Chamber. RSVP and learn more at the link.

Tuesday, March 17

8:30 a.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Senate Finance Committee. SB676 on gender clinic data surveillance.

10:30 a.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building.  State and Local Government Committee. SB2409 on Pride flags

1:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Senate Health & Welfare Committee. SB2118 on prohibiting TennCare from covering gender-affirming care.

3:00 p.m. House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. House Finance Committee. HB754 on gender clinic data surveillance.

Wednesday, March 18

Event:  NOON to 3:00 p.m. House Reading Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Rainbows on the Hill. RSVP and learn more at the link.

House Judiciary Committee.  HB1472 (banning Bostock),  HB1474 (Pride flag), HB2082 (legal boost for anti-trans parents), HB315 (marriage licenses), HB1271 (only two sexes), and HB1872 (suing gender-affirming care providers).

House State & Local Committee. HB2449 on library materials reconsideration and HB1666 on misgendering via honorifics.

Thursday, March 19

8:30 a.m.  Senate Chamber in the Capitol. SB1664 on censoring gender questions in youth health care is on the floor.

9:00 a.m. House Chamber in the Capitol. SB468 on excluding trans women from women's dorms, shelters, prisons, etc. is on the message calendar.

Several bills are on notice in various committees this week. Bills will also be added as they hit the Senate or House floor. Additional campaigns for bills may be added in the coming days.

EMAIL

Emails onSB468/SB1989:  A bill dangerously excluding trans people from sex-segregated spaces and a bill giving a legal boost to anti-trans parents are up for votes on the Senate floor on Thursday. Tell YOUR senator to vote NO using the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB2498:  The bill banning TennCare from covering gender-affirming care is up for a vote in the House on Monday. Tell your representative to vote NO using the easy form at the link.

Emails on SB1665:  The bill allowing misgendering via honorifics is up for a vote on the Senate floor on Monday. Tell your senator to vote NO using the easy campaign at the link.

Emails on SB2118:  The bill banning TennCare from covering gender-affirming care is also up for a vote in the Senate Health & Welfare Committee on Wednesday. Tell the members to vote NO using the easy form at the link.

Emails on SB2031/HB1872:  The bill making it easier to sue health care providers who offered youth gender-affirming care prior to the ban is up for consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday and the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday. Take action using the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB315: The bill that started out as legislation for a covenant marriage option for man/woman couples has been completely rewritten. Now it's a bill about the gender language in marriage license applications. Tell the House Judiciary Committee to vote NO using the easy form at the link.

Emails on SB2409:  The bill banning government support of Pride flags and Pride celebrations is up for a vote in Senate State & Local Government Committee. Tell the committee to vote NO using the easy form at the link.

FULL SCHEDULE

Monday, March 9

Noon. Senate Judiciary. SB2031 on suing providers of youth gender-affirming care (#19). Likely deferred to Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. The committee is only taking up committee member bills during its Monday meeting.

2:00 p.m. House Floor. HB2498 on banning TennCare for gender-affirming care is on the consent calendar. Bumped to House regular calendar on March 12.

4:00 p.m. Senate Floor. SB1665 on misgendering via honorifics at school is on the regular calendar.

Tuesday, March 10

10:30 a.m. Senate State & Local Government. SB2409 on Pride flags (#30).

10:30 a.m. Departments and Agencies. HB2449 on library materials reconsideration (#9)

1: 00 p.m.:  Senate Judiciary Committee. SB2031 on suing providers of youth gender-affirming care.

1:30 p.m.: House Health Committee. HB1665 on gender questions in youth health care. 

3:00 p.m. Senate Commerce.  SB1664 on gender questions (#16), SB226 on anti-LGBTQ realtors (#24), and SB2044 on study of “biological women” (#76)

Wednesday, March 11

We recommend showing up for March 11 hearings if you are able. The TEP team will be on hand for those events.

Note:  Bill positions on calendars may change before and during committee meetings.

10:30 a.m. House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building. House Finance Subcommittee. HB754 on data grab/gender clinics (#12)

Noon. House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Judiciary Committee. HB1472 on banning Bostock (#12), HB1474 on banning Pride flags (#13), HB2082 on legal boost for anti-trans parents (#17), and HB315 on marriage (#31).

1:30 p.m.  House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building. Civil Justice Subcommittee. HB1872 on suing gender-affirming care providers (#1)

1:30 p.m. House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. State & Local Government. HB1666 on misgendering via honorifics (#46).

1:30 p.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Health & Welfare. SB2118 on banning TennCare for gender-affirming care (#30).

Thursday, March 12

8:30 a.m. Central Time. Senate Chamber in the Capitol. The Senate's message calendar includes SB468, a dangerous bill that excludes trans people from sex-segregated spaces. The regular calendar includes SB1989, a legal boost for anti-trans parents.

9:00 a.m. Central Time.  House Chamber in the Capitol. HB2498 on banning TennCare from covering gender-affirming care is on the regular calendar.

Several bills are on the calendar for the week of March 2. We hope you will strongly consider participating in the phone bank on Monday.

CALL

Calls on many bills:  Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for members of key committees voting on anti-LGBTQ bills. 

EMAIL

Emails on SB468 and SB1989:  A bill dangerously excluding trans people from sex-segregated spaces and a bill giving legal protections to anti-transparents are on the calendar in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Use the easy form at the link to urge the committee to vote NO.

Emails on HB754:  Under the appearance of helping de-transitioners, this bill is a data grab dangerous to patients and health care providers. Tell the House Finance Subcommittee to vote NO with the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB1472, HB1474, and HB2082:  The bill "banning Bostock," the bill banning government display of Pride flags and support of Pride celebrations, and the bill giving legal protections to anti-trans parents are up for votes in the House Judiciary Committee. Take action with the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB1665:  The bill banning gender-related questions to youth by health care providers is up for a vote in the House Health Committee on Tuesday. Use the easy form to tell the committee to reject the bill.

Emails on HB2498:  The bill banning TennCare from covering gender-affirming care is up for a vote in the House Insurance Committee. Use the easy form to tell the members to reject the proposal.

Emails on SB1665/HB1666:  The bill on misgendering trans and nonbinary people at school is up in the Senate Education Committee and the House State & Local Government Committee on Wednesday afternoon. Use the easy form at the link to tell members of both committees to vote NO.

Emails on HB2449:  The bill imposing a statewide process for reconsideration of library materials is up for a vote in the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee on Tuesday. Take action with the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB470:  This bill limits the ability of real estate associations to set non-discrimination standards. Tell the House Commerce Committee to vote NO using the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB315:  A bill that started as a Covenant Marriage option for only man/woman couples is being amended to make marriage licenses available for "the male and female contracting parties." It is up for a vote in the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 3. Take action on the bill with the easy campaign at the link. Read more about this new attack on marriage using an old bill from last year at the link.

SHOW UP

(All times Central Time)

Monday, March 2

6:30 p.m. Virtual. Zoom phone bank with TEP and Tennessee Pride Chamber. Leave some messages with legislators about anti-LGBTQ bills. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

Tuesday, March 3

Note: Feel free to go to any of these committee meetings. The TEP team will be on hand for the Wednesday meetings.  

10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3.  HB2498 (banning TennCare for gender-affirming care) is up for a vote in the House Insurance Committee.

10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 2.  HB2449 (book reconsideration/restriction) is up in the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee. 

1:00 p.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. The Senate Commerce & Labor Committee meets. Way down on its calendar are SB226 (license to be anti-LGBTQ), SB1664 (gender-related questions in youth health care), and SB2044 (health concerns of "biological women").  It is unlikely that the committee will get to these bills as the first of them is the 35th bill on the calendar, but it is possible.

1:30 p.m. House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building. The House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee will take up HB315, the covenant marriage bill only for man/woman couples.

1:30 p.m.  House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. The House Health Committee takes up HB1665 on gender questions in youth health care.

3:00 p.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Senate Judiciary Committee will consider SB1989 on protecting anti-trans parents and SB468 on discriminating against trans people in housing and facilities.

Wednesday, March 4

9:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. The House Commerce Committee considers HB470 (license to be anti-LGBTQ).

10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building.  The House Finance Subcommittee will consider HB754 on funding transition and de-transition health care. 

Noon. House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building:  HB1472 (banning Bostock), HB1474 (no government support of Pride flags or celebrations), and HB2082 (protections for anti-trans parents) are up for votes in the House Judiciary Committee.

1:30 p.m. House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. HB1666 on misgendering and honorifics at school is up for a vote in House State & Local Government Committee. 

3:00 p.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building.  SB1665 on misgendering and honorifics at school is up for a vote in Senate Education Committee.

CALL

Calls on SB2031:  The bill relying on misinformation about coercion in youth gender-affirming care is up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.  Use the phone numbers and scripts at the link to urge the committee members to reject the bill. If you prefer to leave a message and not speak with a live person, call in the evening or on the weekend.

EMAIL

Emails on SB2031:  A bill using misinformation about coercion in youth gender-affirming care would make it easier to sue health care providers. Use the easy campaign at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote NO.

Emails on SB1746 and SB1745:  Note that SB1746 (anti-Obergefell) and SB1745 (banning Bostock) are NOT up for votes yet in the Senate. But if you want to contact YOUR state senator about both bills, you can do so with the easy campaign at the link.

SHOW UP

(All times are Central Time)

Monday, Feb. 23

6:30 p.m.  Zoom phone bank with the Tennessee Pride Chamber. Virtual event. Learn more and RSVP at the Facebook event link.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

3:00 p.m.  Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. SB2031 (suing pediatricians who provided gender-affirming care) is up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

EMAIL

Emails on HB1472:  The Banning Bostock Act is up for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 18. Use the easy form at the link to tell the committee to reject the bill.

Emails on HB1474 and HB1666:  Bills on Pride flags/celebrations and honorifics are up in the House State & Local Government Committee. Use the easy form at the link to tell the committee your views.

Emails on HB2082:  A bill giving special protection to anti-trans parents is up for a vote in the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee. Use the easy form at the link to tell the subcommittee your views.

Emails on HB2498:  A bill that would prevent TennCare from covering gender-affirming care is up for a vote in the TennCare Subcommittee. Use the easy form at the link to tell the subcommittee your views.

Emails on HB1473:  The anti-Obergefell bill is up for a vote on the House floor. Use the easy campaign at the link to tell your own member of the House to vote NO.

SHOW UP

(All times are Central Time)

Tuesday, Feb. 17

9:00 a.m.: House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building. HB2498 (banning TennCare for gender-affirming care) is up for a vote in the House TennCare Subcommittee.

1:30 p.m.: House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building. HB2082 (protecting anti-trans parents) is up for a vote in the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Noon:  House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. HB1472 (Banning Bostock) is up for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee. 

1:30 p.m.:  House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. HB1474 (Pride flags and celebrations) and HB1666 (honorifics) are up for a vote in the House State & Local Government Committee.

Thursday, Feb. 19

9:00 a.m.:  Tennessee State Capitol, inside near the House chamber.  HB1473 (Obergefell) is on the House floor. Join us INSIDE the Capitol near the House Chamber starting at 8:30. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

Saturday, Feb. 21

Starting at 10:00 a.m.: Rainbow Resource Fair at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro. RSVP and learn more at the link.

Bill filing is complete for the year. Many anti-LGBTQ bills are hitting committees this week. 

CALL

Calls on SB1424:  The vague adult cabaret bill is up for a vote in Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10. Use the scripts and phone numbers at the link to call members of the committee. Call at night or on weekends if you do not want to speak to a live person.

Calls on HB1473:  The anti-Obergefell bill is up for a vote in the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11. Use the scripts and phone numbers at the link to call members of the committee. Call at night or on weekends if you do not want to speak to a live person.

Calls on HB1474 and HB1666:  The bill prohibiting government support for Pride flags/emblems/celebrations and the bill that says that in a school setting it is not required to use the correct honorifics for trans people are up for a vote in the Public Service Subcommittee. Use the scripts and phone numbers at the link to call members of the subcommittee. Call at night or on weekend if you do not want to speak to a live person.

Calls on HB1472:  The "Banning Bostock" bill is up for a vote in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. Use the scripts and phone numbers at the link to call members of the subcommittee.  Call at night or on the weekend if you do not want to speak to a live person.

Calls on HB1665: The bill requiring parental approval for gender questions in health care settings is up for a vote in the House Health Subcommittee. Use the scripts and phone numbers at the link to call members of the subcommittee. Call at night or on the weekend if you do not want to speak to a live person.

EMAIL

Emails on HB1665:  A bill that censors health care providers on gender and sexuality when talking to young patients is up for a vote in the House Health Subcommittee. Use the easy form at the link to tell the subcommittee members to vote NO.

Emails on HB1472:  A bill that would take on the Bostock Supreme Court decision so important for LGBTQ workplace protections is up for a vote in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. Use the easy form at the link to tell the subcommittee to reject the bill.

Emails on HB1474 and HB1666:  A bill that bans government support for Pride emblems/flags and celebrations and a bill that says one does not have to use gender-appropriate honorifics for trans and non-binary people in a school setting are up for a vote in the House Public Service Subcommittee. Use the easy form at the link to tell the subcommittee to reject both bills.

Emails on HB1473:  Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Judiciary Committee to reject the anti-Obergefell bill. 

Emails on SB1424:  Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject the vague adult cabaret/drag bill. 

SHOW UP

(All times are Central Time)

Monday, Feb. 9

6:30 p.m. Virtual Event. Zoom phone bank with the Tennessee Pride Chamber. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

All Day. Advancing Equality Day on the Hill. Learn more at the Facebook event. Includes a press conference at 10:15 and lunch starting at 11:00.

3:00 p.m.  Senate Judiciary Committee in Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. SB1424 (adult cabaret) is on notice.

Wednesday, Feb. 11

10:30 a.m.  House Hearing Room 2 of the Cordell Hull Building. House Public Service Subcommittee. HB1666 (honorifics) and HB1474 (Pride flags and celebrations) are on notice. 

Noon.  House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. House Judiciary Committee. HB1473 (Obergefell) is on notice.

Noon.  House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building. House Health Subcommittee. HB1665 (gender questions) is on notice.

1:30.  House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building. House Civil Justice Subcommittee. HB1472 (Bostock) is on notice.

This is the final week of bill filing. Anti-LGBTQ bills continue to hit committees. Take action with these campaigns.

CALL

Calls on SB1424:  The vague adult cabaret bill that could affect venues that host a single drag performance is up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Use the phone numbers and scripts at the link to leave messages on the bill. Note:  If you do not wish to speak to a live person, call in the evening or on the weekend.

Calls on HB1473:  The anti-Obergefell bill is up for a vote in House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 3.  Use the phone numbers and scripts at the link to leave messages on the bill.  Note:  If you do not wish to speak to a live person, call in the evening or on the weekend.

EMAIL

Emails on SB1424:  Use the easy form at the link to generate an email to the Senate Judiciary Committee. You can change the message, add to the message, or even record a short video message to go with your email. 

Emails on HB1473:  Use the easy form at the link to generate an email to the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee. You can change the message, add to the message, or even record a short video message to to go with your email.

SHOW UP

Sunday, February 1

Everywhere:  Black History Month begins.

Monday, February 2

6:30 p.m. Virtual Event:  Zoom phone bank with the Tennessee Pride Chamber. RSVP and learn more at the link. The Zoom link is located in the Facebook event.

Tuesday, February 3

1:00 p.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building:  Show up to the committee hearing on SB1424. We will provide 8 1/2 X 11 signs. RSVP and learn more at the link.

1:30 p.m. House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building:  Show up to the subcommittee hearing on HB1473. We will provide 8 1/2 X 11 signs. Same Facebook event as above.

The Legislature is still filing bills, but other bills are already hitting committees and the floor for votes. Take action with the campaigns at the link.

CALL

Calls on HB1271:  This bill says the public policy of Tennessee is that there are only two sexes. It is up for a vote on January 21 in the House Judiciary Committee at Noon Central Time. Its amendment from 2025 imposes this view in a sweeping way on local governments in Tennessee. Use the numbers and the scripts at the link to leave phone messages with members of the committee urging them to vote NO on the bill. If you prefer not to reach a live person, we recommend calling in the evening and on the weekend when legislators and their staff are typically not in the office.

EMAIL

Emails on HB1271:  Use the easy form at the link to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee about HB1271. The form generates a message to all members. You can change the message, add to it, or even record a short video message. Please, use the campaign before 10:00 a.m. Central Time on January 21.

SHOW UP

Sunday, January 18

Memphis:  Join us at 6:00 p.m. Central Time at RP Tracks for some basic information on the legislative session and what you can do to help. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook link. First-timers welcome.

Monday, January 19

Everywhere:  January 19 is the federal holiday recognizing the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legislative offices and TEP will be closed to observe the holiday.

Wednesday, January 21

Nashville:  Join the Balcony Brigade as the House Judiciary Committee considers HB1271 (only two sexes bill) at Noon Central Time. Arrive a little early for a seat. Feel free to bring 8 1/2 by 11 signs. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

The Tennessee General Assembly is back on January 13 at Noon Central Time. New anti-LGBTQ bills have already been filed. A discriminatory bill left over from 2025 is on the House floor the first day of the session. Please, use and share the following campaigns.

EMAIL

Emails on HB884:  Use this easy campaign at the link to email your own member of the Tennessee House about the adult cabaret bill that could hamper public drag performances at Pride and other events. Please, use this campaign before Noon on January 13.

SHOW UP

Tuesday, January 13

11:00 a.m. Central Time:  Join Nashville Pride, Launch Pad, PFLAG Nashville, HRC Nashville, Tennessee Pride Chamber, and TEP's Balcony Brigade for the First Watch of the Balcony Brigade in the Capitol near the House chamber.  RSVP and learn more at the link.

Friday, January 16

6:00 p.m. Central Time. Join us at the Pumping Station in Memphis for an informal information gathering on the state legislative session. Learn how you can help. RSVP and learn more at the link.

Sunday, January 18

6:00 p.m. Central Time. Join us at RP Tracks in Memphis for an informal information gathering on the state legislative session. Learn how you can help. RSVP and learn more at the link.

2026 is the second year of the 114th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. As well as bills from last year, we will monitor newly filed bills this year. If you have questions, contact us at [email protected] .

Bills filed in 2026 directly affecting the LGBTQ community

SB1745/HB1472 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, enacts the "Banning Bostock Act."

SB1746/HB1473 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, states that private citizens and organizations are not bound by the Fourteenth Amendment or the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges to recognize a marriage between individuals of the same sex; prohibits the board of professional responsibility from disciplining or sanctioning an attorney for declining to officiate a marriage between two persons of the same sex.

SB2409/HB1474 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, enacts the "No Pride Flag or Month Act."

SB1664/HB1665 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Maberry. As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider from asking certain listed gender-related questions to a minor unless a parent is physically present and fully informed and provides written consent to such questions and the questions are directly related to the diagnosis or treatment of a specific medical or psychological condition currently being evaluated; makes other related changes.

SB1665/HB1666 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Maberry. As introduced, includes "honorifics" in the prohibition on requiring a student, teacher, employee, or contractor to use or provide a person's preferred name or pronoun; makes related revisions.

SB2031/HB1872 by Sen. Lowe and Rep. Zachary. As introduced, creates a civil cause of action against a healthcare professional by a person who suffered an injury that resulted from certain medical procedures if the reason the person, or the person's parent, guardian, or legal representative, consented to the medical procedure was due in whole or in part to coercion by the healthcare professional.

SB1989/HB2082 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Littleton.  As introduced, specifies that a parent's or legal guardian's action of raising, guiding, or instructing the parent's or legal guardian's child in a manner consistent with the child's biological sex is not a basis for certain findings or actions by the court, does not constitute the criminal offense of child abuse, child neglect, or child endangerment, and must not be considered as a negative factor by a court in determining a custody arrangement in the best interest of the child.

SB2045/HB2310 by Sen. Taylor and Rep. Carringer.  As introduced, requires healthcare provider regulatory authorities to report quarterly to the department of health the number and type of disciplinary actions taken against a healthcare provider for knowingly performing or offering to perform on a minor, or administering or offering to administer to a minor, a prohibited medical procedure.

SB2044/HB1990 by Sen. Taylor and Rep. Maberry.  As introduced, directs the department to conduct a study on health concerns of, and identifying obstacles for receiving better care for, persons whose biological sex is female; requires the department to submit a report to the members of the general assembly on the results of the study on or before January 1, 2027. Note:  The language of "biological sex" is discriminatory. It will be important to see how the bill develops.

SB2118/HB2498 by Sen. Lowe and Rep. Capley. TennCare - As introduced, prohibits the division from providing coverage or reimbursement for a medical procedure performed on, or administered to, an individual if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling the individual to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the individual's sex, or treat purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the individual's sex and asserted identity.

SB2319/HB2449 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Garrett. As introduced, requires public libraries established by a county, city, or town to adopt a materials reconsideration policy that provides a process by which any legal resident of the county where the library is located may request that the library withdraw an item from the library's collection or reclassify or move the item to a different area in the library.

SB2368 by Sen. Rose.  As introduced, requires the state treasurer to use existing resources to conduct a study of the use of public funds by neighboring states to facilitate gender transition procedures to determine what restrictions neighboring states place upon public funding of such procedures; requires the treasurer to compile the findings of the study into a report and transmit the report to the general assembly no later than December 31, 2026.

Bills filed in 2026 with generally discriminatory potential

SB1741/HB1476 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, enacts the "Charlie Kirk Act."

SB1713/HB1664 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Maberry. As introduced, requires the executive head of each state department or agency, local government, and public institution of higher education to submit an annual attestation to the comptroller of the treasury that such entity has not implemented a discriminatory preference to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion.

SB2208/HB2198 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Zachary. As introduced, enacts the "DEI Compliance Certification Act."

SB2222/HB2109 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Boyd. As introduced, establishes a cause of action for persons to seek damages from persons who compensate others to participate in demonstrations when the paid demonstrators' conduct satisfies the elements of the criminal offense of rioting, or other similar offenses.

Bills from 2025 that could move in 2026

SB226/HB470 by Sen.Lowe and Rep. Rudd. As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Professionals' Freedom of Religion Act."

SB266/HB304 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, prohibits state and local government entities from displaying or allowing display of flags other than Tennessee and U.S. flags on courthouses and public roads and sidewalks; 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. See the brief on the bill by TEP and the Human Rights Campaign.

SB737/HB315 by Rep. Bulso. As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Covenant Marriage Act" to create covenant marriage, which is entered into by one male and one female, who understand and agree that marriage is a lifelong relationship; permits a spouse in a covenant marriage to obtain a judgment of divorce under certain circumstances.

SB1043/HB320 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Bulso.  As introduced, designates the new swimming pool at Henry Horton State Park as the "Riley Gaines Aquatic Center".

SB372/HB551 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Cochran. As introduced, urges the human rights commission to study problems of discrimination against healthcare providers in this state because of their decision to decline to participate in a healthcare service on the basis of religious, moral, or ethical beliefs.

SB468/HB571 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Barrett. As introduced, enacts the "Women's Safety and Protection Act."

SB674/HB900 by Sen. Taylor and Rep. Todd. As introduced, clarifies that the general assembly preempts and occupies the entire field of regulating the terms and conditions of employment; prohibits local governments from adopting or enforcing any law, rule, or policy that requires a term or condition of employment that exceeds or conflicts with state or federal law.

SB676/HB754 by Sen. Taylor 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.

SB692/HB1119 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Carringer. As introduced, requires the attorney general to report to the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives certain information regarding violations of the prohibition against using medical procedures to enable a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor's sex or to treat purported discomfort or distress from discordance between the minor's sex and asserted identity.

SB1424/HB884 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Todd.  As introduced, specifies that a community or municipal center that is being used to offer adult cabaret entertainment is an "adult-oriented establishment" for purposes of regulating its hours of operation, location, and physical characteristics.

SB936/HB1271 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Cochran.  As introduced, declares that the policy of this state is that there are only two sexes, a biological male and a biological female.

SB1126 by Sen. Rose. As introduced, makes various changes to the categories of individuals who are not required to use a preferred pronoun, and for whom a preferred pronoun be disregarded, if the pronoun is inconsistent with the person's biological sex; makes various changes to the civil liability and adverse action protections as it relates to the use of, or the refusal to use, a pronoun or preferred pronoun.

SB1252/HB1262 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Reneau. As introduced, makes various changes to the categories of individuals who are not required to use a preferred pronoun, and for whom a preferred pronoun be disregarded, if the pronoun is inconsistent with the person's biological sex; makes various changes to the civil liability and adverse action protections as it relates to the use of, or the refusal to use, a pronoun or preferred pronoun.

If you are attending TriPride on October 11, we would love to have your help in restarting the TEP Tri-Cities Committee.

What would the TEP Tri-Cities Committee do?  It would help monitor local governments like school boards, city councils, and county commissions for anti-LGBTQ proposals, help engage the media on equal rights issues, and make sure people in Northeast TN have constructive ways of fighting back against bad legislation when the Tennessee General Assembly is in session.

Join our TEP Tri-Cities Facebook group at the link.

Follow us on Instagram at TNEQUALITY.

Email us at [email protected] . 

We need you!

We are a public policy/legislative advocacy organization that focuses mainly on state and local government. We don't provide social services or legal aid services, but we may be able to make a referral if someone you know needs assistance.

Most of our focused volunteer opportunities arise from January through April when the Legislature is in session, but we need volunteers throughout the year.  Volunteers can help run outreach tables, monitor their local governments for anti-LGBTQ policies, and help create local events.

One constant need is for volunteers to get involved with existing regional committees or help start a committee in counties around the state. If that interests you, contact us at [email protected] .

To learn about some of our policy work, go to our most recent state legislative report at this link and to our special reports at this link.

If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at this link.

TEP is the only statewide LGBTQ+ organization that has worked on Tennessee legislation affecting our community for over 20 years. You can help us grow for the next 20 years by getting involved in your community.

As organizations that serve the people of Hamilton County, we call on the Hamilton County Board of Education to reconsider its action and renew its partnership with Centerstone to provide mental health services. The mental health of students must take priority over politics. 

The Seed Theatre

Chattanooga Pride

Fieldwork Psychotherapy

Barking Legs

Without Fear Strategic Life Coaching

Cherished Moments in Time Photography

Music, Fashion, and Arts Foundation

Grace Episcopal Church

Let’s Talk Consulting

Eduity, LLC

ArtsBuild

Welcome to Today

Public School Strong of Hamilton County

Moms for Social Justice

C.A.L.E.B. (Chattanoogans in Action for Love, Equality and Benevolence)

Mental Health Association of East Tennessee

Tennessee Equality Project

TO ADD YOUR ORGANIZATION, fill out the information at the link https://forms.gle/mNQPh5fBNshtAMyK8  . We ask that only organizations that serve Hamilton County sign on. Your organization can serve other areas as well, but should include Hamilton County. The name of organizations endorsing the statement will be made public. Names of individual persons and their contact information will not be made public. For questions, contact [email protected] .

• Centerstone has served over 2600 students at no cost to Hamilton County Schools. 

• Hamilton County contains the second and third most vulnerable Zip codes in the state with respect to mental well-being.

• According to the State of Tennessee’s “Suicide Prevention in Tennessee 2025 Annual Report,” Hamilton County experienced a 56% increase in the suicide rate, which was the highest in the state.

• A 2023 Sycamore Institute report found that nearly one in four Tennessee high school students considered suicide in 2021.

We are a public policy/legislative advocacy organization that focuses mainly on state and local government. We don't provide social services or legal aid services, but we may be able to make a referral if someone you know needs assistance.

Most of our focused volunteer opportunities arise from January through April when the Legislature is in session, but we need volunteers throughout the year.  Volunteers can help run outreach tables, monitor their local governments for anti-LGBTQ policies, and help create local events.

One constant need is for volunteers to get involved with existing regional committees or help start a committee in counties around the state. If that interests you, contact us at [email protected] .

To learn about some of our policy work, go to our most recent state legislative report at this link and to our special reports at this link.

If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at this link.

TEP is the only statewide LGBTQ+ organization that has worked on Tennessee legislation affecting our community for over 20 years. You can help us grow for the next 20 years by getting involved in your community.