Campaigns for the week of April 17, 2023
We are getting to the point in the legislative session where the fate of many bills hangs on the budget. This could be the last legislative week. Take action with the campaigns in this week's post. More campaigns may be added as the legislative calendar changes throughout the week.
MONDAY, APRIL 17
Moral Monday Against Gun Violence in Nashville
SHOW UP: Starting at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in Nashville, Repairers of the Breach and Red Letter Christians are organizing a march from McKendree United Methodist Church to the Capitol for a rally at 4:00 p.m. Learn more at the link.
Parent opt-in bill and flag limitation bill in the Senate
EMAIL: Use this easy form to tell your own senator to vote NO on the parent opt-in bill.
EMAIL: Use this easy form to tell your own senator to vote NO on the flag limitation bill.
SHOW UP: The Senate did not get to SB1443, the parent opt-in bill, last Thursday, so it is on the calendar for April 17. Also up is SB918, which is a bill that privileges the U.S. and Tennessee flags and limits the flying of other flags on public buildings with some exceptions. That will lead to arbitrary enforcement and First Amendment violations. The Senate floor session begins at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. You can show up and watch the proceedings. You may be able to find a seat in the Senate gallery or you can stand outside the Senate Chamber. Note: This event is in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
Anti-trans private school sports bill and opt-in bill in the House
SHOW UP: At 4:00 p.m. Central Time, HB306, the anti-trans private school sports bill, is on the House floor. So is HB727, the amended parent opt-in bill. You can show up and watch the proceedings. You may be able to find a seat in the House gallery or you can stand outside the House chamber. Note: This event is in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
Pride Proclamation in Sevier County
SHOW UP: At 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, a group of Sevier County residents are urging the Sevier County Commission to pass a Pride resolution. Doors are open 40 minutes prior to the meeting. Seating is limited. The event takes place at the Sevier County Courthouse located at 125 Court Avenue in Sevierville. The meeting specifically is in Courtroom 306W. Buttons for supporters will be available. Facebook event linked here.
All-purpose activity
CALL: At 6:30 p.m., join inclusion tennessee, TEP, and other organizations for a virtual phone bank against discriminatory bills. Register for the event at this link.
TUESDAY, APRIL 18
Several bills in House Finance Subcommittee and Committee
SHOW UP: At 9:00 a.m. Central Time, House Finance Subcommittee will take up several bills on five calendars. The event takes place in House Hearing Room 1 in the Cordell Hull Building.
Linking Arms for Change
SHOW UP: At 6:15 p.m. Eastern Time in Knoxville and at 5:15 p.m. Central Time in Nashville, there are marches organized by Voices for a Safer Tennessee. Learn more at the link.
All-purpose activity
CALL: At 6:30 p.m. Central Time, HRC holds their weekly virtual phone bank on discriminatory bills. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
Parent opt-in bill in the House
EMAIL: The House did not get to the bill on Monday. Use this easy form to tell your own member of the House to vote NO.
SHOW UP: The House floor session begins at 8:30 a.m. Central Time. You can attend by finding a seat in the House gallery or standing outside the House chamber. Note: This event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
Flag restriction bill in the Senate
EMAIL: The Senate did not get to the flag restriction bill on Monday. So they will take it up on April 19. Use this easy form to email your own Senator urging a NO vote.
SHOW UP: The Senate floor session begins at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. You can attend by finding a seat in the gallery or standing outside the Senate chamber. Note: This event takes place in the Capitol, not the Cordell Hull Building.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
Anti-trans definition of "sex," pronoun discrimination, and anti-implicit bias training bills in the House
SHOW UP: The House floor session begins at 8:30 a.m. Central Time in the House chamber. You can attend by finding a seat in the House gallery or by standing outside the House chamber. Note: This event is in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
Anti-implicit bias training bill in the Senate
CALL: Use the numbers and scripts at the link to leave messages for the members of the Finance Committee.
SHOW UP: The Senate Finance Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1 of the Cordell Hull Building.
WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
SCHEDULE NOTE: As of April 16, there are no specific bills scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday in House. But there will be floor sessions in the Senate and House on Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly Friday and Saturday. There are House floor sessions scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. It is possible that Finance committees will meet on these days and other committees may temporarily reopen. We will watch for daily schedule changes and for the updated calendar status of key bills. Update: The Senate is adding more Finance committee meetings throughout the week. See in particular the Thursday campaigns.
Campaigns for the week of April 10, 2023
With the House in chaos because of the efforts to expel Representatives Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson, and Justin Pearson and with the end of session approaching, we see bills taking unusual paths to their destiny. Take action with these campaigns. More may be added in the coming days.
MONDAY, APRIL 10
Parent opt-in bill
EMAIL: Use this easy form to tell YOUR member of the Senate to vote NO.
SHOW UP: At 4:00 p.m. Central Time, the full Senate takes up SB1443, the parent opt-in bill.
General-purpose opportunity
CALL: At 6:30 p.m. Central Time, join inclusion tennessee and TEP for a Zoom phone bank on discriminatory bills. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
Here are some calls anyone can make this week about the crisis in democracy in Tennessee.
TUESDAY, APRIL 11
General-purpose opportunity
CALL: At 6:30 p.m. Central Time, join HRC for a virtual phone bank. Register at this link.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
Anti-implicit bias training bill
EMAIL: Use this easy form to contact the members of the House Finance Subcommittee asking them to vote NO.
SHOW UP: At 10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3, the House Finance Subcommittee takes up HB158, a bill that bans any requirement for implicit bias training in public education.
Anti-trans private school athlete and parent opt-in bills
CALL: Leave messages with the committee members on these bills using the scripts and numbers at the link.
SHOW UP: At 1:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 1, the House Education Administration Committee takes up HB306 and HB727.
THURSDAY, APRIL 13
Discriminatory education bills on the Senate floor
SHOW UP: The Senate floor session begins at 8:30 a.m. Central Time. You can attend the session. You may be able to find seating in the gallery or you can stand outside the Senate chamber. This event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
Campaigns for the week of April 3, 2023
There are just a few bills moving this week. But don't be deceived. In the coming weeks, more could be put on notice in committees or scheduled for floor votes. More information may added in the coming days.
MONDAY, APRIL 3
All-purpose opportunity
CALL: At 6:30 p.m. Central Time, join inclusion tennessee, TEP, and other organizations for a Zoom phone bank on discriminatory bills. Register at the link.
TUESDAY, APRIL 4
All-purpose opportunity
CALL: At 6:30 p.m. Central Time, the Human Rights Campaign hosts their virtual phone bank on discriminatory bills. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
Parent opt-in bill and anti-implicit bias training bill
CALL: Use the scripts and the numbers at the link to leave messages for the members.
CALL: Use the script and number at the link to make a general call to the Governor.
SHOW UP: At 9:00 a.m. Central Time and at 1:00 p.m. Central Time, the House Education Administration Committee meets. At one of these meetings, it will likely take up HB727, a parent opt-in bill. Both events are in House Hearing Room 1.The bill is 4th on the calendar of bills, so that points to the bill being heard at the 9:00 a.m. meeting. But committees skip around on their calendars for a variety of reasons. So they may not get to it until the 1:00 p.m. meeting. HB158, the anti-implicit bias training bill, is also on the calendar.
CALL: There is a special Zoom phone bank with inclusion tennessee and TEP on the expulsion resolutions. Register at the link.
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Anti-trans private school athlete bill
SHOW UP: At 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the House convenes for its floor session. You can attend. You may be able to get a seat in the balcony or stand outside the House chamber. This event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
Expulsion resolutions
Anti-trans student pronoun bill
EMAIL: Tell your senator to vote NO on the pronoun bill using the easy form at the link.
SHOW UP: The Senate floor session begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Capitol, not the Cordell Hull Building. You can show up. There may be some seating in the balcony or you can stand in the hallway outside the chamber.
Campaigns for the week of March 26, 2023
Some discriminatory bills are failing, but some are still advancing. Take action with these campaigns. More will be added in the coming days.
SUNDAY, MARCH 26
SHOW UP: At 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, TEP is offering a legislative advocacy training at the Knox Pride Center. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.
MONDAY, MARCH 27
CALL: At 6:30 p.m., join inclusion tennessee and other organizations for a Zoom phone bank. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.
TUESDAY, MARCH 28
Parent opt-in bill
EMAIL: Use the easy form to contact the House K-12 Subcommittee and urge them to vote NO.
SHOW UP: At Noon Central Time in House Hearing Room 4, the House K-12 Subcommittee will take up HB727, a parent opt-in bill.
Sneaky, anti-trans camp bathroom amendment
EMAIL: SB1044/HB1379 is being amended to provide an accommodation for parents who don't want their kids sharing space with transgender kids at camp. It is a camp version of the bathroom bill. It is up in Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Health Committee at 1:30 on March 28. Use the easy form at this link to contact both committees.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages for members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Note: Calls for the House Health Subcommittee are listed under the HIV program funding bill since we have two bills of interest in that subcommittee.
SHOW UP: Go to either the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting or the House Health Subcommittee meeting at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Senate Judiciary meets in Senate Hearing Room 1 and House Health Subcommittee meets in House Hearing Room 4. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
HIV program funding bill
SHOW UP: At 1:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 4, the House Health Subcommittee may take up HB370, a good HIV program funding bill. The Senate companion bill was deferred to next year in the Senate Health & Welfare Committee. The subcommittee will also take up anti-trans bathroom amendment to a camping bill. We have combined Facebook events for this committee and Senate Judiciary Committee since both meet at the same time and will both consider this discriminatory amendment. The Facebook event is linked here.
All-purpose opportunity
CALL: At 6:30, the Human Rights Campaign hosts their virtual phone bank. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29
Anti-trans student pronoun bill and other education bills in Senate and House Committees
SHOW UP: At 1:00 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1, the Senate Education Committee takes up the anti-trans student pronoun bill and other legislation. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
EMAIL: Even though the two parent opt-in bills are being combined on the Senate side, HB1411 is still on the House Education Administration calendar. If you did the email campaign for the parent opt-in bill up for a vote on Tuesday in the House K-12 subcommittee, you have addressed this bill with some of the committee members. If you missed it in the list of campaigns, here it is again.
SHOW UP: At 1:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 1, the House Education Administration Committee takes up bills with discriminatory implications. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
THURSDAY, MARCH 30
Anti-trans private school athlete bill
SHOW UP: At 9:00 a.m. Central Time, HB306, the anti-trans private school athlete bill is on the House floor. This event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building. You can attend. There is some seating in the gallery or you can be in the hallway outside the House chamber.
FRIDAY, MARCH 31
SHOW UP: At 4:00 p.m. Central Time at Legislative Plaza in Nashville, Queer Youth Assemble, inclusion tennessee, and TEP present "Rally for Queer & Trans Youth Autonomy." Legislative Plaza is located at 301 6th Avenue North. THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED.
SHOW UP (virtually): 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Co-hosted with inclusion tennessee, TEP presents a Transgender Day of Visibility program on Zoom called "Visible, Vocal, Vibrant: A Conversation with Transgender and Gender-expansive Persons About Being Present, Speaking Out, & Growing Hope in the Halls of the Tennessee Legislature." Facilitated by Dahron Johnson, the panel will include Eli Givens, Vaniel Simmons, Jacen Wilder, and C.J. Desai, who have prepared testimony on state legislation this year. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link where you will find the Zoom link.
SATURDAY, APRIL 1
SHOW UP: "March for LGBTQ+ Lives" coordinated by inclusion tennessee and Nashville Pride. 10:30 a.m. East Park in Nashville. THIS EVENT IS NOW BEING POSTPONED.
Campaigns for the week of March 20, 2023
More bills are stalling and being amended, but some are still advancing. Take action with these campaigns on key bills moving the week of March 20. More will be added in the coming days.
MONDAY, MARCH 20
SHOW UP: At 1:00 p.m. Central Time, the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee takes up SB138, a bill that involves protecting minors from pornography on electronic devices. The bill could be used to block general LGBTQ content. Go to Senate Hearing Room 1 in the Cordell Hull Building.
The Big Party!
SHOW UP: LOVE RISING: Let Freedom Sing (and Dance), A Celebration of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness takes place at 7:30 p.m. Central Time at Bridgestone Arena. Get tickets and learn more at the link.
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
Drag licensing bill
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to tell the Senate State & Local Government Committee to vote NO.
CALL: Leave messages with the committee using the scripts and numbers at the link.
SHOW UP: At 10:30 a.m. Central Time, the Senate State & Local Government Committee takes up the License to Drag bill. RSVP at the Facebook event.
HIV program funding bill in the House
CALL: Leave messages with the committee members using the scripts and numbers at the link.
SHOW UP: At 1:30 p.m. Central Time, the House Health Subcommittee has HB370, a good HIV program funding bill, on the calendar. It may run in the Senate first. If you want to show up, go to House Hearing Room 4 in the Cordell Hull Building.
Various discriminatory bills
SHOW UP: At 1:30 p.m. Central Time, the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee takes up HB761, a bill that involves protecting minors from pornography on electronic devices. The bill could be used to block general LGBTQ content. Go to House Hearing Room 2 in the Cordell Hull Building.
SHOW UP: At 4:30 p.m. Central Time, the House K-12 Subcommittee takes up three bills of concern. HB158 bans requiring implicit bias training in public school district and public higher education settings. HB727 is another parent opt-in bill. HB1377 is a bill that establishes a process by which "certain individuals may file a complaint with an LEA or public charter school for the LEA's or public charter school's including or promoting certain prohibited concepts as part of a course of instruction, in a curriculum or instructional program, or by allowing teachers or other employees to use supplemental materials that include or promote certain prohibited concepts." (from the official summary). Go to House Hearing Room 2 in the Cordell Hull Building.
All-purpose opportunity
CALL: Join HRC for their weekly virtual phone bank against discriminatory bills at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
HIV program funding bill in the Senate
EMAIL: This campaign is combined with the one for the bill under the Tuesday hearing in the House Health Subcommittee above. If you missed it, use the same form linked here.
CALL: Leave messages with the committee using the scripts and numbers at the link.
SHOW UP: At 1:00 p.m. Central Time, the Senate Health & Welfare Committee takes up SB290, a good HIV program funding bill. It may run in the House Health Subcommittee first on Tuesday. If you want to show up, go to Senate Hearing Room 1.
Anti-trans private school athlete and parent opt-in bills in the House
EMAIL: Use this easy form to the tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO.
CALL: Leave messages for members of the committee with the scripts and numbers at the link.
SHOW UP: At 1:30 p.m. Central Time, the House Education Administration Committee takes up the anti-trans private school athlete bill and a parent opt-in bill. RSVP at the Facebook event.
Anti-trans private school athlete, pronoun, and parent opt-in bills in the Senate
EMAIL: Use this easy form to tell the Senate Education Committee to vote NO on these bills.
SHOW UP: At 3:00 p.m. Central Time, the Senate Education Committee takes up several discriminatory bills. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
We are holding this date in case bills pop up on the Senate or House floor.
Campaigns for the week of March 13, 2023
As legislators face imminent committee deadlines, many bills that have not moved will be put on notice. It does not mean they will get to all the bills this week, but we should be prepared. Take action with these campaigns. More will be added in the coming days.
MONDAY, MARCH 13
Amended wedding officiant refusal bill
EMAIL: Use this easy form to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote NO.
SHOW UP: At 1:00 p.m. Central Time, the Senate Judiciary Committee is taking up SB596, a bill that originally allowed wedding officiants to refuse to marry couples based on the officiants beliefs. The bill has been significantly amended. Go to Senate Hearing Room 1.
Discriminatory education bills in the House
SHOW UP: At 3:00 p.m. Central Time, the House Higher Education Subcommittee takes up HB571 and HB1376, two discriminatory bills. Go to House Hearing Room 2.
Anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill in the Senate
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to contact your own state senator and urge a NO vote.
SHOW UP: At 4;00 p.m. Central Time, the full Senate takes up SB1440. You can attend floor sessions if you can get a seat in the Senate gallery. You can also be in the hallway outside the Senate Chamber. Note that you will be going to the Capitol and not the Cordell Hull Building for this event.
All-purpose opportunity
CALL: Join inclusion tennessee and other organizations for a Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
TUESDAY, MARCH 14
Drag licensing bill
EMAIL: Use this easy form to contact the Senate State & Local Government Committee to urge them to vote NO.
CALL: Leave messages for the members of the committee with the scripts and numbers at the link.
SHOW UP: At 10:30 a.m. Central Time, the drag licensing bill is up in the Senate State & Local Government Committee. Show up to oppose the bill. Details are at the Facebook event link.
Additional discriminatory bills
SHOW UP: At 1:00 p.m. Central Time, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee takes up SB138, a bill that seems to be about regulating the ability of minors to access pornography on electronic devices, but it could affect general LGBTQ content as well. Go to Senate Hearing Room 1.
SHOW UP: At 3:00 p.m. Central Time, the Senate Judiciary Committee could take up SB596, the amended wedding officiant refusal bill. It was on the calendar for Monday, but the Chair announced that for the Monday meeting they would only consider bills sponsored by members of the committee. Go to Senate Hearing Room 1.
SHOW UP: At 4:30 p.m. Central Time, the House K-12 Subcommittee takes up HB158, a bill that prohibits public education institutions including local school districts and higher education institutions from requiring implicit bias training. Go to House Hearing Room 2.
All-purpose opportunity
CALL: HRC hosts a weekly virtual phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15
Anti-trans TennCare and Student pronoun bills
SHOW UP: At 10:30 a.m. Central Time, the House Finance Subcommittee takes up HB1215, the anti-trans TennCare bill, and HB1269, the student pronoun discrimination bill, in House Hearing Room 3. Finance meetings typically move fast and focus mainly on financial impact issues.
Student pronoun, parent opt-in, and other bills in the Senate
SHOW UP: At Noon Central Time, the Senate Education Committee has several anti-LGBTQ bills on the calendar. With 120 bills total on the agenda, the committee won't be able to take up all of them during this meeting. We are watching seven bills that are now on notice in this committee, but the first of them is all the way down at position 23 on the calendar. Details are at the Facebook event link.
Anti-trans private school sports bill and parent opt-in bill in the House
SHOW UP: At 1:30 p.m. Central Time, the House Education Administration Committee takes up the anti-trans private school sports bill and the parent opt-in bill. Details are at the Facebook event link.
Bill to require TN to apply for federal HIV program funds
CALL: Leave messages with the committee using the numbers and the scripts at the link.
SHOW UP: At 3:00 p.m. Central Time, attend the Senate Health and Welfare Committee meeting as they take up SB290, the bill to require Tennessee to apply for and accept federal HIV program funding. Details are provided at the Facebook event link.
THURSDAY, MARCH 16
We are holding this date in case bills pop up on the Senate or House floor calendars.
Campaigns for the week of March 6, 2023
Some bills have stalled thanks to your efforts while others continue to moved ahead. Take action with the campaigns below. More will be added as the calendar fills out.
ANY DAY
CALL: Call the Governor and tell him signing SB1 and SB3 was a mistake.
MONDAY, MARCH 6
Drag licensing bill and wedding officiant refusal bill
SHOW UP: You can show up for House floor sessions. HB30 and HB878 are on the House floor on Monday, March 6 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. You can be in the gallery if you can find a seat or in the hallway outside the House Chamber. The event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Building.
All-purpose opportunity
CALL: Join inclusion tennessee and other organizations for the weekly phone bank against discriminatory bills at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Here's a registration for it.
TUESDAY, MARCH 7
Bill requiring TN to apply for federal HIV funding
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Health Subcommittee to vote YES on HB370.
CALL: Use the scripts and numbers to leave messages for legislators.
SHOW UP: HB370 is a good bill that requires Tennessee to apply for federal HIV program funding. It is up in the House Health Subcommittee at 1:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 4. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event link.
All-purpose opportunities
SHOW UP: The Mid-South LGBT Chamber of Commerce is holding an online Advocacy 101 session at 6:00 p.m. RSVP at the link.
CALL: The Human Rights Campaign hosts a virtual phone bank against discriminatory bills at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8
Anti-trans TennCare bill
CALL: Call members of the Finance Committee and Subcommittee with the numbers and scripts at the link.
SHOW UP: The House Finance Committee will take up HB1215, the anti-trans TennCare bill at 10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3. The discussion typically moves fast and focuses on cost and revenue issues of bills.
Anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill
EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Finance Subcommittee to vote NO on the bill.
SHOW UP: The House Finance Subcommittee will also consider HB239, the anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill at 10:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3. The discussion typically moves fast and will be focused on cost and revenue issues of bills.
Anti-trans private school sports bill and parental opt-in bill
CALL: Use the numbers and scripts to leave messages with members of the committee.
SHOW UP: The House Education Administration Committee takes up the anti-trans private school sports bill and the bill requiring opt-in parental permission for parts of the curriculum, school surveys, and school clubs. Show up at 1:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room 1. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
THURSDAY, MARCH 9
EMAIL: Use the easy form to tell your own senator to vote NO on the binary sex bill.
Campaigns for the week of February 27, 2023
More bills are now moving in the Senate as well as the House. Take action with the campaigns below. More will be added as the calendar fills out.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27
CALL: Join inclusion tennessee and other organizations in a Zoom phone bank against discriminatory bills at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
CALL: New calls added on February 27.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Drag licensing bill
SHOW UP: The drag performer licensing bill is up for a vote in the Senate State & Local Government Committee at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
SHOW UP: The House Finance Committee is also considering the bill at 3:00 p.m. in House Hearing Room 2. The committee typically moves quickly through bill since they are only considering the financial impact of the bill and not the kinds of issues addressed in a subject-matter committee like Local Government.
Anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill
EMAIL: Email the Senate Judiciary Committee with the easy form at the link and urge them to vote NO.
SHOW UP: The anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill is up in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
Anti-school survey, sex ed, and GSA bill
EMAIL: Email the House K-12 subcommittee with the easy form at the link and urge them to vote NO.
SHOW UP: A bill that would require parental consent for participation in school surveys, sex education, and school clubs like GSAs is up for a vote in the House K-12 subcommittee at 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
CALL: Join the weekly HRC virtual phone bank and make calls against discriminatory bills at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1
Anti-trans TennCare bill
EMAIL: Email the House Finance Subcommittee members with the easy form at the link urging them to vote NO.
SHOW UP: The House Finance Subcommittee will take up HB1215, the anti-trans TennCare bill. This subcommittee typically moves quickly through bills. But if you want to attend, go to House Hearing Room 3 in the Cordell Hull Building at 10:30 a.m.
Anti-trans binary definition of "sex" & wedding officiant license to discriminate bills
SHOW UP: The House Civil Justice Committee will consider the anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill and the wedding officiant license to discriminate bill at Noon Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
Anti-trans private school sports bill & anti-trans pronoun bill
SHOW UP: The anti-trans pronouns and private school sports bills are up for votes in the House Education Administration Committee at 1:30 p.m. Learn more at the Facebook event link.
THURSDAY, MARCH 2
EMAIL: SB3/HB9, the drag restriction bill goes back to the Senate for a floor vote. Use this easy form to email your own senator.
Campaigns for the week of February 20, 2023
Hate and discrimination are flying fast, but we are resisting at every step. Take action with these campaigns. More campaigns will be added as we make them and as we get a fuller picture of the legislative calendar.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
CALL: Join the next Zoom phone bank with inclusion tennessee at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
SHOW UP: We're having a Pink & Purple Day on the Hill. From 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. we will have a check-in time in the Cordell Hull Building cafeteria with information about the bills, committee hearings, and what you can do. RSVP at the Facebook event page.
Anti-trans TennCare bill
EMAIL: Use this easy form to tell the House Insurance Committee to vote NO on the anti-trans TennCare bill.
SHOW UP: Attend the House Insurance Committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. as they vote on the anti-trans TennCare bill. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
Wedding refusal bill
SHOW UP: Attend the House Children & Family Affairs subcommittee meeting at Noon as they vote on a bill that gives anti-marriage equality officiants special rights. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
Anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill
SHOW UP: Attend the House Civil Justice subcommittee meeting in the Cordell Hull Building at 1:30 p.m. as they consider the anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
Anti-trans private school athlete and pronoun bills
SHOW UP: Attend the House K-12 subcommittee meeting in the Cordell Hull Building at 4:30 p.m. Both the anti-trans pronoun bill and the anti-trans student athlete bill are up for votes. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
CALL: HRC's weekly virtual phone bank takes place at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Register at the link.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Drag licensing bill
EMAIL: HB30, the drag licensing bill, is up for a vote in the House Finance subcommittee. Use this easy form to the tell the members to vote NO.
SHOW UP: You can attend the House Finance subcommittee. Unlike subject matter committees such as Local Government, there will not be much issue-oriented discussion. The discussion will be quick and focus on the financial impact of the bill as found in the fiscal note. But if you would like to attend, be at House Hearing Room 3 of the Cordell Hull Building at 10:30 a.m.
Anti-implicit bias training bill
SHOW UP: A bill banning mandatory implicit bias training in public schools and public colleges and universities is up for a vote in the Senate Education Committee at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
EMAIL: HB1, the ban on youth gender-affirming care, will hit the House floor. That will be its last stop before it reaches the Governor. Use this easy form to contact your own member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. The House floor session begins at 9:00 a.m.
EMAIL: HB9, the anti-drag bill, will hit the House floor for a vote. That will be its last stop before it reaches the Governor. Use this easy form to contact your own member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
SHOW UP: The House floor session begins at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. You can attend meetings of the full House of Representatives or of the Senate. You can watch from the gallery if you can get a seat. Or you can be in the hallway outside the House chamber. To be absolutely clear, it's important to know that you will be going to the Capitol building, NOT the Cordell Hull Building for a floor session.
Campaigns for the week of February 13
Anti-LGBTQ bills are moving fast through their committees in Tennessee. Please, take action with these campaigns with opportunities to call, email, and show up. Note: Campaigns will be added throughout the week as the Legislature finalizes its calendar of bills to be considered.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13
EMAIL: SB1, the ban on trans youth healthcare, is on the full Senate calendar on Monday afternoon! Use this easy form to email your own state senator. Personalize the message or record a video.
CALL: Join inclusion tennessee and TEP for a Zoom phone bank against discriminatory bills at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event page.
SHOW UP: Knox Pride is hosting "Enough is Enough Rally" at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time in Knoxville. Go to their Facebook event for details.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14
EMAIL: HB1215, an anti-trans TennCare bill, is up for a vote in House Insurance Subcommittee. Email the members with this easy form.
SHOW UP: HB1215, an anti-trans TennCare bill, is up for a vote in the House Insurance Subcommittee. Join us at Noon in House Hearing Room 1. RSVP at the Facebook event link.
EMAIL: HB30, an amended anti-drag bill is up for a vote. Tell the House Local Government Committee to vote NO with this easy form.
SHOW UP: HB30, one of the anti-drag bills, is up in the House Local Government Committee at 1:30 p.m. HB239, a bill that imposes a binary biological definition of sex in the Tennessee Code, is up at the same time in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. RSVP for the two committee meeting with one Facebook event at this link.
SHOW UP: Attend the "Have a Heart Tennessee Rally" at 3:00 p.m. at Legislative Plaza in Nashville. RSVP at the link.
EMAIL: HB9, an anti-drag bill is back before the House Criminal Justice Committee. Email the members with this easy form.
CALL: HB9, an anti-drag bill is back before the House Criminal Justice Committee. Call members of the committee with the scripts and numbers at this link.
SHOW UP: HB9, an anti-drag bill, is up in Criminal Justice Committee at 4:30 p.m. HB306, an anti-trans private school athlete bill, is up at the same time. RSVP at the Facebook page for both committee hearings.
EMAIL: HB306, an anti-trans private school athlete bill, is up in House K-12 subcommittee. Tell the members to vote NO with this easy form.
CALL: Join the Human Rights Campaign for a virtual phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. RSVP at this link.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
EMAIL: HB1, a horrible attack on trans youth healthcare, is heading to House Civil Justice Committee at Noon. Use this easy form to contact the members of the committee. Personalize the message or record a video message to go with your email.
CALL: Leave messages at the offices of the Civil Justice Committee members about HB1 with the scripts and numbers at this link. Note: The link also includes the calls to House Civil Justice Subcommittee for HB239 since some committee members are members of the subcommittee.
SHOW UP: HB1 is up in House Civil Justice Committee at Noon in House Hearing Room 2. RSVP at the Facebook event page for the hearing.
SHOW UP: Advancing Equality Day on the Hill is a day to meet with your legislators at the Cordell Hull Building. Learn more at the Facebook event page. Email us at [email protected] to find out more.