Members of the Tennessee General Assembly are filing bills and anti-LGBTQ legislation is already showing up for the 2024 session. This list will be updated and revised periodically. It will also include positive legislation.

New Legislation for the 2024 Session

HB1605 by Rep. Bulso. The official summary notes, "As introduced, 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." This bill would have an impact on the flying of Pride and Black Lives Matter flags at school and many other flags as well.

Bills from the 2023 Session

SB596/HB878 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Fritts. 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.

SB1339/HB1215 by Sen. Johnson and Speaker Sexton. As introduced, prohibits any managed care organization that contracts with the bureau of TennCare to provide medical assistance from providing reimbursement or coverage for a medical procedure if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling a person to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the person's sex, or treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between a person's sex and asserted identity.

SB1110/HB1386 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, enacts the "Marital Contract at Common Law Recording Act"; authorizes county clerks to accept and record a record of common law marriage between one man and one woman; limits the jurisdiction of circuit courts and chancery courts in cases involving the definition of common law marriage to the principles of common law marriage.

SB620/HB1414 by Sen. Pody and Rep. Todd. 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. Note the language on gender identity in the bill.

SB1469/HB1447 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Faison. As introduced, clarifies that prescribing hormone treatment for minors is not a standard medical practice when the treatment is for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex or treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between a minor's sex and asserted identity.

SB918/HB1319 by Senator Rose and Rep. Kumar. This is a caption bill with an amendment that would have the effect of restricting the display of flags such as Pride flags and Black Lives Matter flags on public buildings.

SB138/HB161 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Eldridge. This bill regulates 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.

How to Prepare for the Legislative Session:

1. Save the Date: February 13 is Advancing Equality Day on the Hill.

2. If you would like to be involved in the Balcony Brigade, contact TEP Nashville Co-Chair Brian Sullivan at [email protected] .

3. Once the legislative session starts in January, watch for weekly campaigns on key bills @tnequality on X/Twitter, Threads, and Instagram.

4. Join us for Friendsgiving at Frankie J's in Nashville on December 8. RSVP at the link.

5. Attend First Watch of the Balcony Brigade on January 9 at the Capitol. RSVP at the link.

6. Attend Pride Flag Day at the Capitol on January 22. RSVP at the link.

Thank you for visiting us at BoroPride. If you would like to get involved, please consider these options.

Volunteer Locally: If you're interested in volunteering in Middle Tennessee, contact TEP Nashville Committee Co-Chair Brian Sullivan at [email protected]. We need volunteers for managing our tables at events, help with outreach, and gathering when issues come before state and local government.

Advancing Equality Day on the Hill: If you want to save the date for Advancing Equality Day on the Hill, go to this link. This is a day to spend time with your state legislators in Nashville and discuss bills that affect the LGBTQ community.

Balcony Brigade: We need more people to attend key legislative committee meetings and to be in the Senate and House galleries when important votes are taking place during the legislative session. Being present allows people to LEARN the process, WITNESS what is happening to our Democracy, and ENGAGE in deeper advocacy. If you would like to sign up, go to this link. For a quick video on the initiative, go to this link. This initiative offers many opportunities for partner organizations to co-host individual events in the Capitol or in the Cordell Hull Building. If your organization is interested, contact TEP Nashville Co-Chairs Dahron Johnson and Brian Sullivan at [email protected] and [email protected] or fill out the form linked above.

Media Engagement: News media outlets are frequently interested in talking to people affected by discriminatory state legislation. If you would like to be available to speak to the media, contact Brian Sullivan at [email protected] .

We are grateful for your support.

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is one of the largest local governments in Tennessee. Like many of its peer cities around the country, Metro Nashville has made steady public policy gains for LGBTQ people since 2007, but the city's Benefit Board has failed to offer comprehensive gender-affirming health care benefits.

From Tennessee Equality Project's perspective, this injustice must be addressed. We do not need convincing that transgender people deserve full health care benefits. But we do need to understand why it has been so difficult to achieve the goal.  We also need to know what paths are available to provide these vital resources to Metro Nashville government employees.

To that end, we engaged Heather Meshell of Capitol Hill Advocacy to prepare a report that gives us a map of recent efforts to adopt comprehensive gender-affirming care for Metro Nashville employees, the structural and legal issues, and some options to consider over the coming months.  You can find the report here. 

If you would like to be engaged in efforts to advocate for comprehensive gender-affirming care for Metro Nashville Government employees, be in touch at [email protected] .

The following are some of the bills we are watching closely during the special legislative session.

HB7018 by Rep. A. Davis. Increases penalties for stalking providers of gender-affirming care.

HB7019 by Rep. A. Davis. Increases penalties for acts of mass violence targeting providers of gender-affirming care.

HB7021 by Rep. A. Davis. Increases penalties for threats for violence targeting providers of gender-affirming care.

HB7087 by Rep. G. Johnson. Increases penalties for aggravated stalking when the victim is selected based on a bias factor.

HB7091 by Rep. Harris. "As introduced, creates the Class E felony of knowingly threatening to commit an act of mass violence against another and frightening the other person; classifies the offense as a hate crime, to be punished one classification higher than otherwise provided, if the offense was committed by carrying a firearm into certain venues." Those venues include adult cabaret locations, including places with male or female impersonators.

HB7094 by Rep. Harris. "As introduced, creates the Class E felony of knowingly threatening to commit an act of mass violence against another and frightening the other person; classifies the offense as a hate crime, to be punished one classification higher than otherwise provided, if the offense was committed due to a bias motivation."

The Special Legislative Session will begin on August 21 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. As well as staffing up significantly in order to monitor every part of the legislative process, we are developing a list of resources for the special session in the lead-up to August 21. This page will be updated as needed. Some items are events. Others are things to read for greater understanding. If there are anti-LGBTQ bills or amendments to bills, we will have a strong focus on that legislation. Regardless, we will also be present to support the organizations leading the effort to curtail gun violence in our state.

CALENDAR ITEMS

AUG 15    

Murfreesboro: TEP Rutherford County meeting. Facebook event located here.

AUG 16    

Zoom: Tennessee Pride Chamber's Classroom Connect on the Special Session Facebook event located here.

AUG 17    

Nashville:  Drop in orientation to the special session. Facebook event located here.

AUG 18

Athens: LGBTQ+ Ally Workshop. TEP Knox, Anderson, and Blount Counties Chair Aly Chapman will be presenting at this PFLAG event. Facebook event located here.

AUG 21    

Nashville:  Balcony Brigade First Watch with HRC Nashville. Facebook event located here.

AUG 23    

Nashville:  AWAKE Day on the Hill. Sign up link located here.

ORGANIZATIONS

Voices for a Safer Tennessee

Moms Demand Action Tennessee

Southern Christian Coalition

Our Kids Deserve Better

NEWS ITEMS

Nashville Scene coverage of the Governor's proclamation.

Tennessee Lookout coverage of the Governor's proclamation.

Coverage of the Governor's proclamation in The Tennessean.

WPLN coverage of the Governor's proclamation.

WPLN on the Speaker of the House focusing on tougher juvenile sentences instead of access to guns.

Tennessee Lookout piece on the special session leading to harsher forms of juvenile justice.

The Tennessean looks at our state's gun theft laws.

Tennessee Lookout coverage of the 2023 Child Fatality Annual Report

The Tennessean on Sen. Haile's proposal on threats of violence

The Nashville Scene previews a special session that holds little hope of gun restrictions.

The Tennessean on the push for gun reform coming from all corners.

REPORTS/ANALYSIS

The Sycamore Institute on firearm-related deaths in Tennessee

Tennessee Lookout story on TN Comptroller's Report on school shootings

Vanderbilt Poll from May 2023 that includes issues of gun violence

Tennessee Under the Gun

Pride events around the state are a time to celebrate our lives, even in the face of the horrible backlash our community is facing this year.

Here are some ongoing ways you can be engaged:

Ready For Action campaigns: We are preparing for a possible special legislative session and for the 2024 session. There are lots of ways to be involved from showing up in person, meeting with legislators, helping build regional TEP committees, and monitoring your city or county government for discrimination.  Go to this link to learn about all of these opportunities.

Municipal Elections: City government elections are taking place around the state this year. Learn about what the candidates are saying about LGBTQ issues here.

Other ways: If you have another idea of ways you would like to be involved, contact us at [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from you.

We are still waiting for Governor Lee's action on some key bills. The Governor has called for a special session of the Legislature for August 21. You can submit comment about that at this link. These causes and events need your attention and they will give you the chance to extend your advocacy. Learn how we are preparing for the special session and the 2024 regular legislation session at this link. A video version of the campaign information can be found at this link.

ANY DAY OF THE WEEK

Veto calls to the Governor

CALL: Call Governor Lee and urge him to veto discriminatory bills. Call 615-741-2001 and say: "Governor Lee, my name is ____________ and I live in ___________. Please, veto the following bills:  Senate Bill 1440, Senate Bill 466, and Senate Bill 102. Thank you."

Notes:

1. Feel free to add other bills that are important to you that have been transmitted to the Governor or may be soon.

2. About the legislation. SB1237, the anti-trans private school athlete bill, was recently signed into law. SB1443, the parent opt-in bill was recently signed into law. It hampers student access to and choice of school clubs like GSAs and stigmatizes LGBTQ issues in the curriculum. SB1440 is the anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill. SB466 is the student pronoun discrimination bill. SB102 bans requiring implicit bias training in public education. 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

SHOW UP: At 1:00 p.m. Central Time at Legislative Plaza in Nashville, the Southern Christian Coalition is holding a "Protect Kids Not Guns Rally." Learn more at the Facebook link.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

SHOW UP: At 4:00 p.m. Central Time in Nashville, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition holds their May open house. Learn more on Facebook.

MONDAY, MAY 15

SHOW UP: At 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time, LGBTQIA2s+ & Allies Sevier Appalachian OUTreach are holding "Come Together Rally" to support a Pride proclamation in Sevier County before the County Commission meeting. Learn more on Facebook.

Bills continue to make their way slowly to the Governor. It now appears that any special legislative session on gun violence will be delayed until August or September. Here are additional ways for you to continue your advocacy.

ANY DAY OF THE WEEK

Veto calls to the Governor

CALL: Call Governor Lee and urge him to veto discriminatory bills. Call 615-741-2001 and say: "Governor Lee, my name is ____________ and I live in ___________. Please, veto the following bills:  Senate Bill 1440, Senate Bill 466, and Senate Bill 102. Thank you."

Notes:

1. Feel free to add other bills that are important to you that have been transmitted to the Governor or may be soon.

2. About the legislation. SB1237, the anti-trans private school athlete bill, was recently signed into law. SB1443, the parent opt-in bill was recently signed into law. It hampers student access to and choice of school clubs like GSAs and stigmatizes LGBTQ issues in the curriculum. SB1440 is the anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill. SB466 is the student pronoun discrimination bill. SB102 bans requiring implicit bias training in public education. 

THURSDAY, MAY 4

SHOW UP: At 6:00 p.m. Central Time, Tennessee For All is having their virtual "Statewide Assembly." RSVP and learn more at the link.

SATURDAY, MAY 6

SHOW UP: From 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Central Time, Raven Beauty Bar and Devil's Tower Records are holding "We Ain't Fools: A Celebration of Self Expression" at Raven Beauty Bar located at 917 Gallatin Avenue in Nashville. Learn more at the link.TEP will be speaking at 6:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 7

SHOW UP: Starting at Noon Central Time in Nashville at Pearl Diver in Nashville, Hawthorne Heights presents a "Tennessee Is For Lovers" pop up. TEP will have a table. Learn more at the link. TEP will have a table from Noon to about 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

SHOW UP: At 4:00 p.m. Central Time in Nashville, Portara Ensemble presents "Dangerous - Soundtrack of Social Transformation." Ticket information is located here.

THINK AHEAD

SHOW UP: Advancing Equality Day on the Hill - Part 1 takes places on February 13, 2024. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.

MISC: Help us prepare for the special legislative session and the 2024 regular legislative session with options at the link.

The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned on April 21, but bills are still headed to the Governor for his action. In addition, various groups are preparing for a special legislative session that will be focused on gun violence. Read more about that at the link.

Here are ways for you to continue your advocacy this week.

ANY DAY OF THE WEEK

Veto calls to the Governor

CALL: Call Governor Lee and urge him to veto discriminatory bills. Call 615-741-2001 and say:

"Governor Lee, my name is ____________ and I live in ___________. Please, veto the following bills: Senate Bill 1237, Senate Bill 1443, Senate Bill 1440, Senate Bill 466, and Senate Bill 102. Thank you."

Notes:

1. Feel free to add other bills that are important to you that have been transmitted to the Governor or may be soon.

2. About the legislation. SB1237 is the anti-trans private school athlete bill. SB1443 is the discriminatory parent opt-in bill for education. It hampers student access to and choice of school clubs like GSAs and stigmatizes LGBTQ issues in the curriculum. SB1237 is the anti-trans private school athlete bill. SB1440 is the anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill. SB466 is the student pronoun discrimination bill. SB102 bans requiring implicit bias training in public education. As of April 22, only SB1237 on the list has been transmitted to the Governor. That will change soon.

MONDAY, APRIL 24

SHOW UP: At 11:30 a.m., the Southern Christian Coalition is hosting "Lament of 2023 Legislative Session" at Legislative Plaza. Learn more at the link.

TUESDAY, APRIL 25

SHOW UP: At 4:45 p.m. Central Time, SOCM is urging people to attend their press conference and then the Rutherford County School Board meeting in Murfreesboro. The press conference is to oppose American Classical Academy's charter application. Learn more and RSVP at the link.

APRIL 25 and 26

CALL: CivicTN is recruiting phone banking volunteers to turn out voters in the City of Jackson election. You can learn more and volunteer at the link. You do not have to live in Jackson, TN to volunteer. You can do it from home wherever you live.

There are also April 28 through May 1 opportunities at this link.