LGBTQ open letter to our fellow Tennesseans

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An open letter from Tennessee's LGBTQ community to our fellow Tennesseans

 

As members of the LGBTQ community, we write to our fellow Tennesseans a month after the election and a month before the upcoming state legislative session.

 

In recent weeks members of our community have experienced grave assaults on our safety and dignity.  A gay, gender nonconforming man was murdered.  A transgender woman’s car was burned. The signs and doors of a church that affirms our community have been vandalized.  A gay couple received a package with a knife sticking out and a message attached urging them to leave the state. 

 

These attacks upon individuals and institutions have put our lives and safety at even greater risk than usual.  They contravene the welcoming traditions of hospitality for which Tennessee is known.  

 

The time we have entered is critical.  Many are calling for healing in the wake of a divisive election. Healing is difficult while fresh wounds are being inflicted such as discriminatory state legislation.

 

So we are speaking out for our safety, dignity, and equal rights under the law.

 

Our struggle is not against your values, unless you value discrimination.  LGBTQ Tennesseans are your neighbors, your family members, your health care providers, firefighters, grocery clerks, teachers, elected officials, and we fill many other roles vital to the life of small towns and large cities.  Many of us grew up and continue to be active in the same faith communities as you.  

 

In the long story of our community’s struggles, we have relied on our own strength to sustain us.  We have also experienced the joy of  working with countless allies.  Now is a time for allies to speak out with us and we  invite people of good will throughout the state to build a stronger, inclusive, welcoming Tennessee to meet our state’s common challenges together.

If you share these values and priorities, we invite you to add your name to this letter.

Who's signing

666 SIGNATURES
1,000 signatures

Will you sign?

  • Heike Reagan
    signed 2016-12-17 10:31:36 -0600
  • Palmyra Moore
    signed 2016-12-17 10:31:11 -0600
    Palmyra Moore
  • Carolyn Kiser
    signed 2016-12-17 10:30:38 -0600
  • Racheal Conner
    signed via 2016-12-17 10:12:16 -0600
  • Rebecca Terrell
    posted about this on Facebook 2016-12-17 10:05:22 -0600
    No to laws that promote discrimination and hate in TN! Sign the petition: LGBTQ open letter to our fellow Tennesseans
  • Susan Prichard
    signed 2016-12-17 10:03:59 -0600
  • Rebecca Terrell
    signed 2016-12-17 10:03:11 -0600
  • Victoria Heil
    posted about this on Facebook 2016-12-17 09:54:47 -0600
    Sign the petition: LGBTQ open letter to our fellow Tennesseans
  • Victoria Heil
    signed 2016-12-17 09:54:33 -0600
  • Jeff Larsen
    signed 2016-12-17 09:53:23 -0600
  • Stephanie Kors
    signed 2016-12-17 09:46:33 -0600
  • Justin Hosford
    signed 2016-12-17 09:39:56 -0600
  • Amanda Alley
    signed via 2016-12-17 09:38:22 -0600
  • Andrew West
    signed 2016-12-17 09:34:27 -0600
  • David Chapman
    posted about this on Facebook 2016-12-17 09:32:57 -0600
    Sign the petition: LGBTQ open letter to our fellow Tennesseans
  • David Chapman
    signed 2016-12-17 09:32:36 -0600
    The outpouring of love and support of my recent engagement has shown me that Tennesseans overwhelmingly support and welcome our community. So lucky to live and thrive in Northeast Tennessee. Love my mountains!!!
  • Lizzie Keiper
    signed via 2016-12-17 09:20:12 -0600
  • Jennifer Keeler
    signed 2016-12-17 09:15:37 -0600
  • Teddy Blackwell
    signed 2016-12-17 09:11:56 -0600
    All lives matter and deserve respect. We don’t have to like the choices some people make, but they should be free to be who they are openly without harm, disrespect, or persecution.
  • Donald Peterson
    signed via 2016-12-17 09:06:53 -0600
    Donald O Peterson
  • Leticia Flores
    signed 2016-12-17 09:03:11 -0600
  • Kevin Rardin
    signed 2016-12-17 08:50:11 -0600
  • Courtenay Rogers
    signed via 2016-12-17 08:46:26 -0600
  • Michael Swanson
    posted about this on Facebook 2016-12-17 08:37:43 -0600
    Sign the petition: LGBTQ open letter to our fellow Tennesseans
  • Janna Scarborough
    signed 2016-12-17 08:36:24 -0600
  • Michael Swanson
    signed 2016-12-17 08:34:58 -0600
  • Daniel Love
    signed 2016-12-17 08:33:16 -0600
  • Lynda Burman
    signed 2016-12-17 08:22:51 -0600
  • Leighan Carson
    signed 2016-12-17 08:05:37 -0600
  • Amy Dawson
    signed 2016-12-17 07:33:41 -0600

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