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Jody Lopez-Robinson posted about VETO Hate Bill 1840, the Counseling Discrimination bill on Facebook 2016-04-07 09:37:52 -0500Sign the petition: VETO Hate Bill 1840, the Counseling Discrimination bill
VETO Hate Bill 1840, the Counseling Discrimination bill
Please, add your voice and urge Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to veto this discriminatory bill.
Dear Governor Haslam,
We urge you to veto HB1840, which allows counselors to turn away clients based on the counselor's biases and values. This bill puts the focus on the desires of counselors rather than on the needs of clients, damaging the counseling profession and putting clients at risk.
An anti-bullying amendment was stripped from the bill in the House Health Committee leaving youth vulnerable in areas where mental health services are not widely available.
Thank you for considering our views.
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Jody Lopez-Robinson posted about Governor Haslam, Fight for trans students and against SB2387/HB2414 on Facebook 2016-04-06 00:27:27 -0500Sign the petition: Governor Haslam, Fight for trans students and against SB2387/HB2414
Governor Haslam, Fight for trans students and against SB2387/HB2414
Please, join us in encouraging Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to fight against this attack on transgender students.
Dear Governor Haslam,
We call on you to do everything in your power to lobby against passage of SB2387/HB2414, the anti-transgender student bathroom bill. We also ask that you VETO the bill if it reaches your desk.
The bill endangers vulnerable students and it risks significant U.S. Department of Education funds to Tennessee. If this bill became law, the enforcement would be a nightmare for school districts across the state.
Show the world that Tennessee is a welcoming state. Thank you for considering our views.
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Jody Lopez-Robinson posted about The People's Resolution Opposing Tennessee House Joint Resolution 529 on Marriage Equality on Facebook 2016-02-05 09:13:08 -0600I'm endorsing Tennessee Equality Project. Please join me!
The People's Resolution Opposing Tennessee House Joint Resolution 529 on Marriage Equality
Sign on as a co-sponsor of the People's Resolution Opposing Tennessee House Joint Resolution 529 on Marriage Equality.
WHEREAS, Rep. Susan Lynn has introduced a resolution urging the members of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to express their disagreement with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges; and
WHEREAS, the Tennessee Constitution affirms "That the citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together, for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes, by address or remonstrance;" and
WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee ought to be focused on the legal equality of all its people rather than attacking the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community; and
WHEREAS, "the equal protection of the laws" is a cherished principle in American jurisprudence; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, that we oppose House Joint Resolution 529 and urge the members of the 109th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to uphold the entire Constitution of the United States, including the Fourteenth Amendment, and cease their legislative attacks on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
Endorse
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Jody Lopez-Robinson posted about Anti-transgender, RFRA, anti=marriage equality bills filed in TN Legislature on Facebook 2016-01-21 23:43:26 -0600Anti-transgender, RFRA, anti-marriage equality bills filed in TN Legislature
Anti-transgender, RFRA, anti-marriage equality bills filed in TN Legislature
A host of new anti-LGBT bills have been filed over the last two days in Tennessee. Here are a few:
1. Anti-transgender student bathroom bill. Filed by Rep. Susan Lynn and Sen. Mike Bell, the bill would require students to use the restrooms and changing rooms that correspond to gender on their birth certificates.
2. RFRA/Limited Turn the Gays Away bill. Filed by Rep. Holt and Sen. Bowling, the bill would "protect" any member of the clergy, religious institution, or organization controlled by a religious institution from having to solemnize any marriage they disagree with or providing services in connection with any marriage they disagree with.
3. Marriage bills. A general nullification bill that is clearly inspired by the marriage issue, again filed by Rep. Pody and Sen. Beavers. Various caption bills that seem to deal with other issues, but could actually be shell bills that can be amended to become attacks on marriage equality later. We should be watching to see what they become. This one is by Rep. Timothy Hill and Sen. Bailey. This one is by Rep. Matthew Hill and Sen. Southerland. This one is by Rep. Hulsey and Sen. Bowling. This one is by Rep. Rogers and Sen. Beavers. This one is by Rep. Womick and Rep. Beavers. This one by Rep. Holt and Sen. Bailey. And this troublesome bill by Rep. Van Huss and Sen. Bowling that prevents public officials from solemnizing marriages. This makes it harder for people who aren't members of congregations (of every sexual orientation and gender identity) to get married. Here's a resolution by Rep. Lynn expressing disagreement with the Supreme Court's marriage ruling.
4. Marriage and gender identity all in one bill. Here's a bill by Rep. Sparks and Sen. Beavers that not only defines husband and wife in government documents, but even more fundamentally male and female. It makes documents that don't adhere to these definitions void. This is another vicious attack on the transgender community.
5. A new form of the counseling discrimination bill is back and it applies to more than just students this time. Filed by Sen. Jack Johnson and Rep. Dan Howell, the bill would apply to counselors in private practice and allow them to turn clients away based on sincerely held religious beliefs.
STAY INVOLVED:
1. Watch for email updates and updates on Facebook on specific bills and take action.
2. Make plans to join us for Advancing Equality Day on the Hill on March 8.
3. Fuel the fight with a small contribution to increase our advocacy efforts.