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.

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.