Tennessee Open For Business is a free program for Tennessee small businesses that pledge not to discriminate against their employees or customers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. That means that member businesses do not discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender individuals or couples or do harm to the LGBTQ community.  Members will get a listing on our website, a post on Facebook, and a window cling suitable for display in their storefront. The program is made possible through generous support of the Brooks Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

The Tennessee Equality Project reserves the right to refuse membership in this program to any applicant and to revoke the membership of any business.

You can see a list of some of the current members of Tennessee Open For Business at this link. 

For questions, contact us at [email protected].

Many Tennessee cities will have elections in 2015.  Tennessee's three largest--Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville--are among them.  Will you pledge to remind your friends to vote in these important elections in 2015?  We're starting early because we want to get OUT the equality vote.  Your organization--even if it is a 501c3 or congregation--can also help.  501c3 organizations and congregations are allowed to tell their members when an election is and what is on the ballot.  Those activities in NO WAY endanger their tax exempt status with the IRS.  So we are asking you or your organization to pledge to get word out about these elections as they approach.  Those individuals and organizations signing up will get information about getting OUT the vote as the elections approach. 

Note:  The word "endorse" on this page means you are endorsing the plan to get word out about elections.  The plan does not involve endorsing candidates. 

We will add more city election information as it becomes available, but so far we know these dates:

City of Jackson

Early Voting--April 15-30

Election Day--May 5

City of Knoxville

Early Voting Begins--September 9

Primary Election Day--September 29

Regular Election Early Voting Begins--October 14

Regular Election Day--November 3

City of Memphis

Early Voting Begins--September 18

Election Day--October 8

Runoff Early Voting Begins--October 14

Runoff Election Day--November 3

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Election Day--August 6

Learn more about why the diversity vote is so important in these upcoming elections by taking a look at this video from "12th & Broad" featuring comments from TEP.

Learn more about the issue and consider signing the petition to add your voice to this call to action.