Take action the week of January 30
Discriminatory bills are starting to move in the Tennessee General Assembly. Take action with these campaigns the week of January 30. More specific information will be added as the week progresses.
Monday, January 30
CALL: Zoom phone bank with inclusion tennessee at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event with Zoom link here.
Tuesday, January 31
EMAIL: Use the form at this link to email the members of the House Health Subcommittee about HB1, a bill banning gender-affirming care for youth.
EMAIL: Use the form at this link to email the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Criminal Justice Subcommittee about SB3/HB9, which is an anti-drag bill.
SHOW UP: Attend the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee hearing on HB9, one of the anti-drag bills, in House Hearing Room 2 at Noon. Facebook event linked here.
SHOW UP: Attend the House Health Subcommittee hearing on HB1, one of the anti-trans healthcare bills, in House Hearing Room 4 at 1:30 p.m. Facebook event linked here.
SHOW UP: Attend the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on SB3, one of the anti-drag bills, in Senate Hearing Room 1 at 3:00 p.m. Facebook event at the link.
Wednesday, February 1
EMAIL: Use the form at the link to email the members of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee about SB1, which a ban on gender-affirming care.
SHOW UP: Attend the Senate Health hearing on SB1, which bans gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary youth at 1:00 p.m.. Facebook event at this link.
Tennessee Slate of Hate 2023
The day after the election, legislators began filing discriminatory bills. The following is the emerging Slate of Hate for 2023. The description of the bills is meant to be basic and not exhaustive of every implication. The legislative session begins on January 10, 2023.
Bills that clearly and directly attack the LGBTQ community
SB1/HB1 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Lamberth. Bans gender-affirming care for minors.
SB3/HB9 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Todd. Restricts public drag performances and also has the effect of putting trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people in danger.
SB5 by Sen. Bowling. Another bill banning gender-affirming care for minors.
HB30 by Rep. Doggett. Another bill connecting drag performances to adult cabaret performances. It defines a permitting process and prohibits the attendance of those under 18.
HB239 by Rep. Bulso. As introduced, adds "sex" as a defined term for statutory construction purposes.
HB306 by Rep. Bulso. As introduced, authorizes a private school to create a policy to regulate a student's participation in the school's athletic activities or events based upon a student's biological sex. This is another anti-trans student athlete bill.
SB466 by Sen. Rose. As introduced, specifies that a teacher or other employee of a public school or LEA is not required to refer to a student using the student's preferred pronoun if the pronoun is not consistent with the student's biological sex; insulates a teacher or other employee of a public school or LEA from civil liability and adverse employment action for referring to a student using the pronoun that is consistent with the student's biological sex.
SB596 by Sen. Pody. 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.
Bills that could have discriminatory implications for the LGBTQ community
SB102/HB158 by Sen. Gardenhire and Rep. Zachary. Prohibits public school districts and public higher education institutions from requiring an employee to go through implicit bias training. Note: The primary target of this bill is likely implicit bias training related to race. It may affect training related to sexual orientation and gender identity, though it is unclear how extensively those issues are discussed in implicit bias training in Tennessee school districts or Tennessee higher education institutions. Practice seems to vary.
SB138 by Sen. Hensley. This bill reg ulates 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.
SB620 by Sen. Pody. 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.
HB727 by Rep. Hulsey. As introduced, requires a student's parent or legal guardian, or the student if the student has reached the age of majority, to provide a written, informed, and voluntarily signed consent to the student's LEA before the student may receive instruction through the LEA's family life curriculum, participate in a survey, analysis, or evaluation, or receive health services provided through a coordinated school health program.
Positive Legislation
SB290/HB370 by Sen. Yarbro and Rep. Clemmons. As introduced, requires the department of health to seek federal funding to implement programs for the prevention, testing, and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for residents of this state, including programs in partnership with community and nonprofit partners; requires the department to annually report to the general assembly certain information about the programs and funding.
How to help
1. Sign up to host postcard parties. We already have more than 20 in the works around the state. Contact us at [email protected] .
2. Save the date. Advancing Equality Day on the Hill part 1 takes place on February 15.
3. Sign up to be a district captain any time and learn how to engage your two state legislators. Contact us at [email protected] .
Take action on discriminatory bills week of April 25
We still have time to speak out against discriminatory bills as some advance and some are delayed. Take action with these campaigns and events. More may be added in the coming days.
APRIL 25
The House of Representatives has scheduled floor votes for the discriminatory student pronoun bill and the anti-trans college athlete bill for April 25 starting at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
Email: Use this easy form to generate a message to your own state representative against both bills.
Attend: Zoom phone bank against the discriminatory student pronoun bill at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event linked here.
APRIL 26
The Senate Finance Committee takes up the anti-trans student pronoun bill. There are two meetings of the committee that day--9:00 a.m. Central Time and 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Both meetings take place in Senate Hearing Room 1.
Call: Make calls against the bill using the script and numbers at the link.
ANY DAY
Call: Call Governor Lee and urge him to veto and speak out against anti-trans legislation with the number and script at the link.
Take action on discriminatory bills week of April 18
We are down to about three big bills that are still moving. Take action with these campaigns and events. More campaigns may be added in the coming days.
APRIL 18
Attend: Zoom phone bank on the student pronoun bill. Facebook event with Zoom link here.
APRIL 19
The student pronoun bill is up for consideration in the Senate Finance Committee at 2:30 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1 and up for consideration in the House Finance Committee at 1:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 1. The House Finance Committee is also considering the anti-trans college athlete bill at this meeting.
Email: Use this easy form to email the Senate Finance Subcommittee and tell them to vote NO.
Email: Use this easy form to email the House Finance Subcommittee and tell them to vote NO.
Call: Make calls to the Senate Finance Committee with the scripts and numbers at the link.
Call: Make calls to the House Finance Committee with the scripts and numbers at the link.
Attend: Come to the committee hearings in the Cordell Hull Building. Facebook event page linked here.
ANY DAY
Take action on discriminatory bills week of April 11
We are down to four big bills that are still moving. Three of them are on notice the week of April 11. Take action with these campaigns and events. More campaigns may be added in the days ahead.
APRIL 11
The anti-trans college athlete bill and the bill that withholds funds from school districts that don't discriminate against trans athletes are on the Senate floor at 4:00 p.m. Central Time.
Email: Use this easy form to contact your own state senator about both bills.
APRIL 13
The anti-marriage equality bill is back before the House Civil Justice Committee at 9:00 a.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3.
Email: Use the easy form to contact the committee and urge them to vote NO.
Call: Leave phone messages with members of the committee using the numbers and scripts at the link.
The anti-trans college athlete bill is back before House Finance Subcommittee at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3.
Email: Use this easy form to contact the subcommittee members and urge them to vote NO.
Call: Leave phone messages with the members of the subcommittee with the numbers and scripts at the link.
APRIL 14
The marriage bill is back on the Senate floor at 8:30 a.m. An email campaign will be added in the coming days.
ANY DAY
Call: Call Governor Lee and urge him to oppose anti-LGBTQ bills with the number and script at the link.
Take action on discriminatory bills week of April 4
More bills are stalling or heading to the floor of the Senate or House, but a few still have committee hearings coming up. Take action with these campaigns and events for the week of April 4. Note: More campaigns may be added in the days ahead.
APRIL 4
Call: Join us for our Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Find the Facebook event with Zoom information linked here.
APRIL 5
The House Finance Committee will take up the student pronoun discrimination bill at 3:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 1.
Email: Use this easy form to contact the committee and urge the members to vote NO.
Call: Leave messages for members of the committee using the numbers and scripts at the link.
APRIL 6
The House Finance Subcommittee takes up the anti-trans college athlete bill at 11:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3.
Email: Use this easy form to contact the subcommittee and urge the members to vote NO.
The House Civil Justice Committee takes up the anti-marriage equality bill at 12:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3.
Email: Use this easy form to contact the committee and urge the members to vote NO.
The Senate Judiciary Committee takes up the school library censorship at 2:30 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1.
Email: Use this easy form to contact the committee and urge the members to vote NO.
APRIL 7
The anti-marriage equality bill is on the Senate floor at 8:30 a.m. Central Time.
Email: Use this easy form to contact your own state senator about the bill. (new campaign as of April 6)
Email: Use this easy form to contact your own state senator about the bill. (old campaign)
ANY DAY
Take action on discriminatory bills week of March 28
The final battles are shaping up as discriminatory bills stall and advance. Take action with these campaigns and events the week of March 28, which coincides with the Week of Transgender Visibility. Your action has already made a big difference. Don't let up in the final critical weeks. Note:
MARCH 28
Email: The misleading school library censorship bill is on the House floor. Use this easy form to send an email to your own state representative.
Attend: Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event is linked here.
MARCH 29
The Senate Education Committee will take up the student pronoun bill, two anti-trans athlete bills, and a school library censorship bill.
Email: Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the committee urging them to vote NO.
Attend: Go to the committee hearing at 10:30 a.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1. Facebook event is linked here.
MARCH 30
The House Civil Justice Committee will consider the anti-trans college athlete bill and the strange anti-marriage equality bill.
Email: Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the committee urging them to vote NO.
Attend: Go to the committee hearing at 12:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3. Facebook event is linked here.
The Senate Education Committee will consider the anti-trans college athlete bill and the student pronoun bill at 1:30 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1
Email: Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the committee urging them to vote NO.
MARCH 31
The bill fining school districts if they don't discriminate against transgender student athletes is scheduled for a House floor vote. Use this easy form to send an email to your own state representative.
ANY DAY
Take action on discriminatory bills week of March 21
Discriminatory bills are advancing, stalling, and getting amended. Your advocacy matters. Take action with these campaigns and events for the week of March 21. More campaigns will be added in coming days.
MARCH 21
Attend: Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event linked here with Zoom link.
MARCH 22
The good birth certificate gender amendment bill and the bad parental bill of rights bill are up in the House Health Subcommittee at Noon Central Time in House Hearing Room 2.
Email: Send a message to the subcommittee on both bills using this easy form.
Attend: Go to the subcommittee meeting. Facebook event linked here.
The strange anti-marriage equality bill is up in Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1 on March 22 and the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 23 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 2.
Email: Send a message to both committees on the marriage bill using this easy form.
MARCH 23
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee is taking the so-called parent bill of rights legislation at 10:00 a.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1.
Email: Send a message to the committee urging them to vote NO.
The Senate Education Committee is taking up five key bills at 1:00 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1.
Email: Send a message to the committee urging them to vote NO on all these bills with this easy form.
Attend: Go to the hearing on the bills in the Cordell Hull Building. Facebook event linked here.
Call: Leave messages for the members of the Senate Education Committee on all the bills. Best to call nights and weekends!
Any Evening
Call: Leave a message for Governor Lee and urge him to oppose discriminatory bills.
Take action on discriminatory bills week of March 14
Anti-LGBTQ bills are still moving in the Legislature. Take action using the campaigns and events below. More campaigns may be added over the coming days.
MARCH 14 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time
Attend: Zoom phone bank against discrimination. Bring your phone. We supply the scripts. Facebook event with Zoom link.
MARCH 15
Attend: House Health Subcommittee Bills at Noon Central Time Facebook Event
Email: Send a message to the members of the subcommittee on 2 bills using this easy form.
MARCH 16
Attend: Senate Education Committee Bills at 1:00 p.m. Central Time Facebook Event
Email: Send a message to the members of the committee on 6 bills using this easy form.
Attend: House Education Administration Committee Bills at 3:30 p.m. Central Time Facebook Event.
Email: Send a message to the members of the committee on 2 bills using this easy form.
Email: Send a message to the members of the committee on the school library censorship bill.
NOTE: HB233, the strange anti-marriage equality bill that had been sent to summer study, was resurrected on March 14. Take action against the bill with this campaign.
Take action on discriminatory bills week of March 7
Key bills affecting Tennessee's LGBTQ community continue to move the week of March 7. Take action with these campaigns and events. We will continue to add campaigns and events as available over the coming days.
MARCH 7 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time
*Zoom phone bank against discrimination. Bring your phones; we supply the scripts and numbers. Facebook event with Zoom link located here.
MARCH 8
1. HB2835, the attack on gender-affirming care for trans youth is back in the House Health Subcommittee. HB2451, which represents itself as a parental bill of rights, is also up in the same subcommittee. Noon Central Time. Note: These bills are far down on the calendar and the subcommittee may not get to them.
*Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the House Health Subcommittee.
*Attend the subcommittee meeting. Facebook event link is here.
2. HB2691, which allows people to change the gender marker on their birth certificate, is also on the House Health Subcommittee calendar, along with the items in the entry above. Noon Central Time.
*Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the House Health Subcommittee.
*Attend the subcommittee meeting. Facebook event link is here.
*Make calls for the bill using the scripts and office numbers linked here.
3. HB2316, which bans transgender college student athletes, is back before the House Higher Education Subcommittee. Noon Central Time.
*Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the House Higher Education Subcommittee.
*Attend the committee meeting. Facebook event is linked here.
*Make calls against the bill using the scripts and office numbers linked here.
4. HB800, which bans LGBTQ materials in our public schools, is up for a vote in House Finance. 3:00 p.m. Central Time.
*Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the House Finance Committee.
*Attend the committee meeting. Facebook event is linked here.
5. HB2633, which allows school personnel to disregard student pronouns, is back before the House K-12 Subcommittee. 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
*Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the House K-12 Subcommittee.
*Attend the subcommittee meeting. Facebook event is linked here.
*Make calls against the bill using the scripts and office numbers linked here.
6. SB2440/HB2569, which would would have many negative effects such as gutting local government programs for women and minority contracting, is up before Senate and House committees on the same day.
MARCH 9
1. SB2360, which represents itself as a parental bill of rights, is up in the Senate Education Committee. 1:00 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building.
2.HB233, which is a caption bill that will carry anti-marriage equality language, is up for a vote in the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee. 2:00 p.m. Central Time.
*Use this easy form to send a message to the subcommittee.
*Attend the subcommittee meeting. Facebook event is linked here.
*Make calls against the bill using the scripts and office numbers linked here.
3. SB2696, the attack on gender-affirming care for trans youth, is back in the Senate Health & Welfare Committee. 3:00 p.m. Central Time.
*Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee.
*Attend the committee meeting. Facebook event is linked here.
*Make calls against the bill using the scripts and office numbers linked here.
4. HB1944, which attempts to label school library materials as obscenity, is before the House Criminal Justice Committee. 3:30 p.m. Central Time.
*Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the Criminal Justice Committee.
*Attend the committee meeting. Facebook event is linked here.
*Make calls against the bill using the scripts and office numbers linked here.
MARCH 10 at 4:30 p.m. Central Time
Happy Hour Advocacy Social at Alchemy in Memphis. Facebook event is linked here.