We start with a big thank-you to the members of the Balcony Brigade who showed up from all over the state for the first day of the legislative session. Let's keep it up! If you are interested in getting involved, contact Brian Sullivan at [email protected] .

What happened this week? Legislators continued to file bills and the House adopted restrictive rules that affected not only members of the House but the public's access as well. The decline of our state's democracy is extremely frightening.

The Senate Judiciary Committee deferred SB596 (wedding officiant refusal bill) and SB620 (anti-LGBTQ parent rights bill). Those will now be heard on Feb. 6.

Thank you for all your advocacy. We have a comparatively light week beginning January 15, though it is important to note that old bills from last year could still pop up on the calendar at any time. So we may make additions as we learn more.

MONDAY, JANUARY 15

Today is the holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Legislature will not be in session.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 THROUGH END OF WEEK

CALENDAR ITEM:  The Cordell Hull Building will be closed all week because of the snow. See information at this link.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17

HB1377 by Rep. Ragan, which is a bill on reporting "prohibited concepts," was officially on the calendar of the House Education Administration Committee, which will not meet this week because of the snow. The bill was filed last year and failed in the Senate Education Committee. On the same day last year it was reset for the first committee calendar of the new year. The lobbying team does not expect the bill to run. We will know NEXT WEDNESDAY more about its direction.

LOOKING AHEAD

SHOW UP:  January 22 is Pride Flag Day at the Capitol at 3pm. Join Nashville Pride and TEP, wearing your best Pride/rainbow flag gear. The House and Senate floor sessions start at 4pm. Learn more at the Facebook event link. If you've been wanting a rally, here it is!

LEARN: February 3 is a "Telling Your Story" training offered by GLAAD in Nashville. RSVP and learn more at the link.

SHOW UP: Feb 13 is Advancing Equality Day on the Hill. We need people from around the state to come to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville and meet with their legislators. If you are interested, please email us with either the names of your two legislators or your street address and Zip Code at [email protected] . Learn more at the Facebook event link.