The repeal of the U.S. military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy went into effect on September 20, 2011. In Nashville, we marked the occasion at Canvas, a bar that has since moved to another side of town.   Here's an image of the display at the entrance that greeted those celebrating. 

That simple picture confronts us with memories of what's gone. The TEP logo has changed and The City Paper, which was a free print news publication, also no longer exists.  Maybe some of our optimism from that era is gone, too.

But in those days, it was a time of great hope when real policy change was voted on by Congress and supported by the President. A few years before in 2009, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act became law. Anything seemed possible. It still is, but we're living through a period of horrible reaction. And, of course, we didn't deal with everything in those big wins from years ago. The executive branch and the courts are still going back and forth about whether existing trans service members can be run out of the military and receive the health care they need and whether the Department of Defense/War can block new trans recruits.

And culturally there are still tensions over the limited victory that the original Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal achieved as evidenced by the cancellation of Boots last year.

To use a military image, we're still fighting on multiple fronts.

Yesterday was the 11th anniversary of about 40 state legislators gathering near the Tennessee Capitol to unveil the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act, a bill designed to challenge the 2015 Supreme Court Obergefell v Hodges ruling that struck down state bans on marriage by same-sex couples.

Brief Legislative History:  That bill failed to pass, though Tennessee has faced some kind of anti-marriage equality bill every legislative session since the Obergefell ruling. Most of those bills have not been as ambitious as the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act in that they would not have prevented county clerks in Tennessee from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Most recently in the 114th General Assembly two bills were introduced and failed. The first was introduced in 2025 as a Covenant marriage option for man/woman couples. It was later amended to affect the gender wording of all marriage licenses. The second was a bill introduced in 2026 that said that the Obergefell ruling does not apply to the private sector and that private actors are free to ignore the ruling.

Why has it been difficult to pass an anti-marriage equality bill?  While polling cannot prevent the introduction of bills, it may be one factor among many in hurting the chances of legislation designed to undo the freedom to marry. About 65% of Americans support marriage equality, according to a 2026 Gallup poll. Notably that number is down from 71% in 2023. PRRI data from 2025 indicates that support in Tennessee is around 55%.  The federal factor also comes into play. In 2022 the federal Respect for Marriage Act passed and requires states to recognize each other’s marriages. The Congress and the President have not shown much interest in revisiting that law. The Supreme Court has also declined to take up recent challenges to the Obergefell ruling. In Tennessee, the House and Senate differ in their interest in these bills with the House showing a great deal more interest than the Senate. 

The past is no guarantee:  While anti-marriage equality bills have struggled, past results do not always predict future outcomes. It is within the realm of possibility that an anti-marriage equality bill of full or limited scope could pass the Tennessee General Assembly in the coming years. One factor for the 115th General Assembly that convenes in January will certainly be the November 3 state legislative races, though because of past Gerrymandering, many (not all) of those races are heavily weighted to the parties already holding those seats. One protective factor that may give some legislators pause is the August local government election. Out LGBTQ candidates were elected to the Knox, Putnam, and Rutherford County Commissions for the first time. A new out member of the Montgomery County Commission was also elected. Overall the partisan balance of power shifted significantly in the following local governments:  Montgomery, Knox, Hamilton, and Rutherford, which are counties that send large delegations to the General Assembly. As the state legislators from those counties digest the results of the local elections, it could cause them to think twice about supporting anti-LGBTQ measures. 

Looking ahead:  While it is not possible to stop the filing of anti-marriage equality bills in the Legislature, it is also true that it is possible to put up a strong fight. If such bills are introduced in 2027/28, then the community will rely on a similar mixture of tools that we have used in the past. Those include professional lobbying, committee testimony, media engagement, constituent contact with legislators through in-person meetings, email, and phone calls, and related tactics. In addition, legal organizations serving the LGBTQ community stand ready to file legal challenges to any anti-marriage equality bills that might become law, just as they were ready to do so in 2026. If the Supreme Court's hesitancy to reconsider Obergefell persists and Congress leaves the Respect for Marriage Act alone, those legal challenges stand a good chance of being successful in voiding prospective anti-marriage equality laws in Tennessee.

If you've found us at a Pride celebration, other event, or through social media, there are some easy ways to help.

1. Use the easy campaign at the link to tell your state senator and your state representative that you are celebrating Pride this year (regardless of the month!) and that no state resolution can change that.  The message also urges them to support the LGBTQ+ community when the Legislature is back in session.

2. Consider making a small contribution at the link to support our direct lobbying work.

3. Email us at [email protected] to learn how to volunteer with us.

This may be the last week of the legislative session. We are grateful for all your advocacy and ask that you sustain it for just a few more days. More campaigns may be added if other bills pop up on the calendar.

CALL

Veto calls on HB754:  The trans health data surveillance bill as amended is heading to Governor Lee's desk. We ask that you leave him a voice message or an email message or both.

1. Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001.

2. Listen for the quick recording and choose the option to leave a message.

3. Here's a sample message you can adapt.  "Governor Lee, my name is __________ and I live in __________. I urge you to veto House Bill 754. Even with the amendments, the bill requires so much unprecedented data collection that it puts patients and providers in danger. Thank you."

4. You can also leave a written comment with the Governor at this link.

5. Get creative. If you don't want to call or leave a message, you can also make a video or a piece of art and tag the Governor on Instagram at @govbilllee . If you also tag @tnequality, we might see and share it in Instagram stories or repost it. No guarantees, of course.

EMAIL

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering via honorifics bill still has not been heard on the House floor, even though it was scheduled for last week. If you have not already done so, use the campaign at the link to tell YOUR state representative to vote NO.

Emails on SB468/HB571:  This bill prevents trans people from being housed according to their gender identity in shelters, dorms, and incarceration/detention facilities. The Senate and House are likely to release their conference report this week and vote on it. Tell YOUR state senator and YOUR state representative to vote NO on the report because no version of the bill is acceptable. Use the easy form at the link.

Emails on SB936:  This bill guts local government policies that affirm gender identity beyond a simple binary. The bill is on the Senate floor on Wednesday. Take action at the link.

We are down to just a few bills still moving, but your advocacy is just as critical in the final weeks. Take action with these campaigns. More may be added in the coming days. 

VETO CALLS TO THE GOVERNOR ON HB754

The Trans Health Data Surveillance Bill

1. Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001

2. Listen to the quick recording and choose the option to leave a message.

3. Here's a sample message you can adapt.

"Governor Lee, my name is __________ and I live in __________. I urge you to veto House Bill 754. Even with the amendments, the bill requires so much unprecedented data collection that it puts patients and providers in danger. Thank you."

SHOW UP

Monday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m. inside the Capitol, near the Senate Chamber: Rally against SB676, the trans health data surveillance bill. TEP is co-hosting this event with Launch Pad, PFLAG Nashville, Nashville Pride, Tennessee Pride Chamber, and HRC Nashville. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL

Emails on SB676: A new campaign on the bill. There will be a Senate amendment on Monday to limit some of the data points collected on trans health surveillance bill. But it is still a dangerous bill. Urge your own state senator to vote NO with the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB2055:  A bill that has been amended to ban state and local government health plans from covering gender-affirming care is on the House floor on April 13. Take action with this easy campaign to let your state representative know your views.

Emails on HB2082:  A bill that gives a legal boost to anti-trans parents is on the House floor on April 13. Use the easy form at the link to tell your state representative your views.

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering via honorifics bill is headed to the House floor soon. Use the easy form at the link to tell your member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to reject the bill.

Bills are moving fast in the last weeks of this legislative session. Some bills that had been delayed are showing new life and other bills are turning into attack legislation through amendments. Take action with these campaigns. Changes to the schedule may be added in the coming days.

EMAIL

Emails on HB2055:  This bill has been amended to ban gender-affirming care coverage for state and local government employees. It is up for a vote in House Government Operations Committee on Monday. Take action with the easy campaign at the link.

Emails on SB468/HB571:  This bill that attacks trans access to shelters, safe housing in prisons/detention centers, and dorms is going to a Senate/House conference committee any time now. Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR state senator and YOUR state representative to reject any version of the bill.

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering via honorifics bill is headed to the House Education Committee on Wednesday. Take action with the easy campaign at the link.

Emails on HB2082:  The legal boost for anti-trans parents is headed to the House floor. Tell YOUR state representative to vote NO with the easy campaign at the link.

Emails on SB676:  The data grab bill could hit the Senate floor soon. Take action with this easy campaign to tell YOUR state senator to vote NO.

SCHEDULE

Note:  All floor sessions are included as bills move more quickly from calendar to the floor in the final weeks.

Monday, April 6

11:00. a.m. House Government Operations. HB2055 as amended bans state and local government from offering health plans that cover gender-affirming care.

2:00 p.m. House Floor Session. SB2031 related to liability for providers of gender-affirming care on Message Calendar.

3:00 p.m. Senate Floor Session. 

Tuesday, April 7

8:30 a.m. House Floor Session.

1:00 p.m. Senate Commerce. Monitoring.

Wednesday, April 8

8:30 a.m. House Floor Session.

10:30 a.m. House Education Committee. HB1666 on misgendering via honorifics.

10:30 a.m. House State & Local Government Committee. HB2449 on library materials reconsideration. This bill is still in the Delayed Bills Committee in the Senate.

Thursday, April 9

9:00 a.m. Senate Floor Session. SB676, the dangerous data surveillance bill, is on the Senate floor.

9:00 a.m. House Floor Session.

Thank you for all your advocacy!

Many discriminatory bills have faced major setbacks, but extremely dangerous bills are still moving. Take action with these campaigns for bills moving the week of March 30. A fuller legislative schedule will be added in the coming days.

EMAIL

Emails on SB676:  The data grab/surveillance bill that endangers trans people throughout Tennessee could be up for a Senate floor vote soon. Take action with the easy campaign at the link to contact your own state senator. 

Emails on HB1271:  A bill that started as a declaration that there are only two sexes has been amended to undo pro-trans policies in local governments around the state. The bill hits the House floor on Monday. Take action with the easy campaign at the link to contact your own state representative.

Emails on HB1666:  The misgendering/honorifics bill that originated as an attack on one trans instructor is back in the House State & Local Government Committee on March 31. Take action with the easy campaign at the link to tell the committee to vote NO.

Emails on HB2082:  The bill that gives a legal boost to anti-trans parents is up for a vote in House Judiciary Committee on April 1. Take action with the easy campaign at the link and tell the committee to vote NO.

Emails on SB2118:  This bill bans TennCare from covering gender-affirming care. Existing regulations already prevent the same thing. Tell YOUR senator to vote NO on the bill using the easy form at the link.

Emails on HB1872:  This bill makes it easier to sue providers of gender-affirming care. Despite some helpful amendments, it's still a bad bill and we oppose it in any form. Take action and tell YOUR state representative to vote NO on the bill on April 2.

Emails on SB468/HB571:  This anti-trans housing bill related to shelters, dorms, and detention/prison facilities could go to a Senate/House conference committee at any time. No version of the bill is good. Tell YOUR state senator and your state representative to vote NO on the bill with the easy form at the link.

SCHEDULE

Monday, March 30

2:00 p.m. House floor session. HB1271 requires state agencies and local government to remove any policies that conflict with the idea that there are only two sexes and it prevents them from adopting new policies that conflict with that idea.

3:00 p.m. Senate floor session. SB2118 bans TennCare from covering gender-affirming care. Regulations already do this.

Tuesday, March 31

11:00 a.m. House State & Local Government Committee. HB2449 requires libraries to adopt a materials reconsideration policy.  HB1666 allows people to refuse to use a trans or nonbinary person's honorifics at school. HB2055 has been amended to block state and local government health care plans from covering gender-affirming care.

Wednesday, April 1

10:30 a.m.  House Judiciary Committee. HB2082 provides a legal boost for anti-trans parents. The following bills are also on notice in the committee for April 1, but they either failed or are deferred in the Senate:  HB315 (gender language of marriage licenses), HB1474 (Pride flags and celebrations), and HB1472 (banning Bostock).

Thursday, April 2

9:00 a.m. House floor session. HB1872 makes it easier to sue gender-affirming health care providers. SB468 on prohibiting trans women from being in women-designated spaces like dorms, shelters, and prisons is on the message calendar. 

Legislative schedules are becoming more fluid as some committees are meeting multiple times in a week. The date for which a bill is on notice may not be the day on which it is voted.  Take action with the campaigns below.

CALL

Calls on HB1665:  This bill censors questions about gender in youth health care with some mental health provider exemptions.  Call Governor Lee at 615-741-2001 and urge him to VETO House Bill 1665.

EMAIL

Click each bill number below and use the easy forms that will generate an email to legislators.

HB754 

HB1472 

SB1745 and SB1746 

SB2031 

HB2082 

HB1474 

SB2409 

HB1666 

HB1271

SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change. Bills may be added, especially to Senate and House floor sessions. Some bills may not be heard at all.

Monday, March 23

Noon.  Senate Judiciary

SB1745 Banning Bostock and SB1746 Obergefell

Note:  These bills would likely be heard on Tuesday since the Judiciary Committee is taking up committee member bills on Monday.

2:15 p.m.  House Judiciary

HB1872 Suing gender-affirming care providers, HB2082 Anti-trans parent legal boost, HB1474 Pride flags and celebrations, HB315 Marriage licenses (bumped to next year in Senate), HB1472 Banning Bostock, HB1271 Only 2 sexes

3:30 p.m. Senate Chamber in the Capitol

SB2031 Suing gender-affirming care providers

Tuesday, March 24

8:30 a.m. Senate Finance

SB676 Gender-affirming care data grab

10:30 a.m. Senate State & Local Government

SB2409 Pride flags and celebrations

Noon. House State & Local Government

HB2449 Library materials reconsideration (still in delayed bills committee in the Senate) and HB1666 Misgendering by honorifics

1:00 Senate Judiciary

See the Monday reference to Senate Judiciary

Wednesday, March 25

10:30 a.m. Senate Judiciary

Noon. House Judiciary

1:00 p.m. Senate State & Local

1:30 p.m. House State & Local

Thursday, March 26

9:00 a.m. House Chamber in the Capitol.

HB754 Gender-affirming care data grab

Show up:  Singing Resistance Nashville joins TEP's Balcony Brigade and PFLAG Nashville starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Capitol near the House Chamber to protest HB754. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event.

Many bills are reaching their critical pass or fail point. Take action with these campaigns.

CALL

Calls on SB676: The gender clinic data grab bill comes before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday morning. Use the scripts and numbers at the link to call the members of the committee and urge them to vote NO.

Calls on SB2409:  The bill banning government display of Pride flags and government support of Pride celebrations comes before the Senate State & Local Government Committee on Tuesday morning. Use the scripts and numbers at the link to call the members of the committee and urge them to vote NO.

EMAIL

Emails on HB1665:  Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR representative to vote NO on the bill censoring gender questions in youth health care.

Emails on SB676:  Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Finance Committee to vote NO on the gender clinic data grab bill.

Emails on SB2409:  Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate State & Local Government Committee to vote NO on the bill restricting government display of Pride flags and government support of Pride celebrations.

Emails on SB2118:  Use the easy form at the link to tell Senate Health & Welfare Committee to vote NO on the bill banning TennCare from covering gender-affirming care. 

Emails on HB754:  Use the easy form at the link to tell House Finance Committee to vote NO on the gender clinic data grab bill.

Emails on HB1666 and HB2449:  Use the easy form at the link to tell the House State & Local Government Committee to vote NO on the misgendering/honorifics bill and the bill imposing a statewide library materials reconsideration policy.

Emails on SB1664:  Use the easy form at the link to tell YOUR state senator to vote NO on the bill censoring gender questions in youth health care. It is on the Senate floor on Thursday morning.

SHOW UP

Note:  We recommend showing up for the Wednesday committee hearings. The TEP team will be on hand to answer your questions on Wednesday.

Monday, March 16

2:00 p.m. House Chamber in the Capitol. HB1665 on gender questions in youth health care is on the floor.

6:30 p.m. Central Time. Zoom phone bank with Tennessee Pride Chamber. RSVP and learn more at the link.

Tuesday, March 17

8:30 a.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Senate Finance Committee. SB676 on gender clinic data surveillance.

10:30 a.m. Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building.  State and Local Government Committee. SB2409 on Pride flags

1:00 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Senate Health & Welfare Committee. SB2118 on prohibiting TennCare from covering gender-affirming care.

3:00 p.m. House Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. House Finance Committee. HB754 on gender clinic data surveillance.

Wednesday, March 18

Event:  NOON to 3:00 p.m. House Reading Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building. Rainbows on the Hill. RSVP and learn more at the link.

House Judiciary Committee.  HB1472 (banning Bostock),  HB1474 (Pride flag), HB2082 (legal boost for anti-trans parents), HB315 (marriage licenses), HB1271 (only two sexes), and HB1872 (suing gender-affirming care providers).

House State & Local Committee. HB2449 on library materials reconsideration and HB1666 on misgendering via honorifics.

Thursday, March 19

8:30 a.m.  Senate Chamber in the Capitol. SB1664 on censoring gender questions in youth health care is on the floor.

9:00 a.m. House Chamber in the Capitol. SB468 on excluding trans women from women's dorms, shelters, prisons, etc. is on the message calendar.

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.