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.

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.

All bills that were introduced in the 2025 legislative session affect the LGBTQ community in some way, whether they be tax bills, gun bills, or energy bills. We have put together this list of bills that either directly target the LGBTQ community or could be used for that purpose. No list is comprehensive and definitive. We could engage in further interpretation of many other bills and find a place for them in the discussion. Nevertheless, this list will give anyone interested a starting point for discovering the scope of the attacks and how we fared this year. Note: Because 2025 is the first year of a two-year legislative session, any bill that did not pass or complete its legislative journey could move in 2026.  The language summarizing each bill comes from the Legislature’s website.

Bills directly attacking the LGBTQ community through policy that passed (2)

SB472/HB64 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Bulso. "As introduced, requires all residential educational programs in this state, regardless of type or duration, that allow minors to participate or to access residential facilities to segregate all restrooms, changing areas, and showers by immutable biological sex." See the brief on the bill at this link.

SB937/HB1270 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Cochran. As introduced, specifies that certain individuals are not required to use another's preferred name or pronoun, if the preferred name or pronoun is not consistent with the individual's legal name or sex; insulates certain individuals from civil liability for using, or refusing to use, certain names or pronouns in reference to another; allows a civil action to be filed against certain employers and public schools that implement certain preferred pronoun policies or that allow certain names or pronouns to be used in reference to an unemancipated minor without first obtaining parental consent.

Bills indirectly attacking the LGBTQ community or bills that could be used for that purpose that passed (4)

SB955/HB1044 by Sen. Haile and Rep. Terry. As introduced, enacts the "Medical Ethics Defense Act." See the brief on the bill at this link. Commentary:  While the sponsors made clear that the bill does not directly attack groups, it can be used to empower health care entities to refuse procedures, treatments, etc. that are the concern of particular groups like the LGBTQ community. 

SB1083/HB622 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Maberry. As introduced, enacts the "Dismantle DEI Act," which prohibits local governments and public institutions of higher education from basing hiring decisions on any metrics that consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, or hiring a particular candidate in order to achieve any goals to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion in the workplace. Commentary:  The DEI programming for most state government and local government entities either does not include or barely includes sexual orientation/gender identity concerns. Nevertheless, it is a discriminatory bill so we were one of the organizations that attempted to stop it.

SB861/HB910 by Sen. Stevens and Rep. Garrett.  As introduced, transfers, from the commission to the attorney general and reporter, the responsibility of identifying state laws, rules, programs, services, and budgetary priorities that conflict with the components, guidelines, and objectives of a comprehensive state policy established by the commission to ensure compliance with Title VI requirements. Commentary:  The Tennessee Human Rights Act does not include sexual orientation and gender identity and there was little to no mention of LGBTQ people or concerns in the Human Rights Commission’s annual reports. So our community has not relied heavily on the Commission for addressing discrimination claims. With that said, progressive groups are rightly alarmed by the Legislature moving the Commission's duties from an entity with some independence to a more politicized office like the Attorney General's office.

SB1084/HB923 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Maberry. As introduced, enacts the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act." Commentary:  See the note above about SB1084/HB622. 

Bills attacking the LGBTQ community through insult with no real policy implication that passed (1)

SB503/HB327 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, designates the month of June as "Celebration of Life" month, the month of July as "Celebration of Liberty" month, and the month of August as "Celebration of the Pursuit of Happiness" month in Tennessee. Commentary:  It is widely known that June is Pride month celebrating the LGBTQ community. The bill does NOT prevent the celebration of June as Pride month.

Discriminatory bills that directly or indirectly attack the LGBTQ that did not become law (13)

SB226/HB470 by Sen.Taylor 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.