Campaigns May 3 through May 7
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.
Campaigns for week of April 24, 2023
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.
Campaigns for April 21, 2023
The Senate and House both will be meeting on Friday. Use the campaigns below to take action on key bills. More may be added.
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
Anti-trans binary 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 on Senate floor
EMAIL: Use this easy form to urge your own senator to vote NO on the bill when it reaches the Senate floor.
SHOW UP: The Senate floor session begins at 10:30 a.m. You can attend if you can find a seat in the Senate gallery or you can stand outside the Senate chamber. The event takes place in the Capitol, not the Cordell Hull Building.
Anti-trans private school athlete bill
CALL: This bill has been transmitted to the Governor for his action. Leave him a message at 615-741-2001 and urge him to veto SB1237/HB306. People outside Tennessee are welcome to call.
Campaigns for April 20, 2023
We don't know when the legislative session will end. Legislators will be at work on Thursday. The Senate has scheduled a floor session on Friday, but the House so far has not. That said, they have several bills to go through. Use the campaigns below to take action on key bills. More may be added.
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 Senate Finance (Note: It passed. Skip down to Friday for next step.)
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. Note: If the bill passes Senate Finance, it could go to the Senate floor at 10:00 a.m. That event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
Federal anti-trans youth sports ban
EMAIL: Use this form from HRC to contact your member of the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose the bill. (Note: It passed.)
TRACK: Track the bill at this link.
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
Anti-implicit bias training bill on Senate floor
EMAIL: Use this easy form to urge your own senator to vote NO on the bill when it reaches the Senate floor.
SHOW UP: The Senate floor session begins at 10:30 a.m. You can attend if you can find a seat in the Senate gallery or you can stand outside the Senate chamber. The event takes place in the Capitol, not the Cordell Hull Building.
Campaigns for April 19 and 20
We don't know when the legislative session will end. Legislators will be at work on Thursday. The Senate has scheduled a floor session on Friday, but the House so far has not. That said, they have several bills to go through. Use the campaigns below to take action on key bills.
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.
NOTE: Per a motion on the House floor on April 17, this bill should be on the House regular calendar for April 19. But it does not yet appear. Regardless, please, use the email campaign above in case it pops up. The House may be waiting for the Senate to transmit the companion bill.
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. Note: If the bill passes Senate Finance, it could go to the Senate floor at 10:00 a.m. That event takes place in the Capitol, not in the Cordell Hull Building.
THIS WEEK
Federal anti-trans youth sports ban
TRACK: Track the bill at this link.
Campaigns for April 18 through 20
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.
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.