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

EMAIL: Use this easy form to tell your own member of the TN House of Representatives to vote NO on HB30 and HB878.

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

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to tell the House Finance subcommittee to vote NO on the 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

EMAIL: Use the easy form at the link to the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO on both bills.

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.

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

EMAIL: Email the Senate State & Local Government Committee members with this easy form and urge them to vote NO.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave messages with members of the committee and urge them to vote NO.

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.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to call some members of the committee 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.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to call some members of the subcommittee 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

EMAIL: Email the House Civil Justice Committee members with the easy form at the link and tell them to vote no on the anti-trans binary definition of "sex" bill and the wedding officiant license to discriminate bill.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to call members of the committee to express your opposition to the 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

EMAIL: Tell the House Education Administration Committee to vote NO on the anti-trans private school sports bill and the pronoun bill using the easy form at the link.

CALL: Use the scripts and numbers at the link to leave phone messages with members of the committee to express opposition to the bills.

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.

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.

CALL: Call the members of the Insurance Committee about the anti-trans TennCare bill with the numbers and scripts at the link.

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

EMAIL: Use this easy form to tell the House Children & Family Affairs subcommittee to oppose the Wedding refusal bill.

CALL: Call the members of the Children & Family Affairs subcommittee with the numbers and scripts at the link.

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

EMAIL: Use this easy form to urge the House Civil Justice Subcommittee to vote NO on the anti-trans binary sex bill.

CALL: Call the members of the Civil Justice subcommittee about the binary sex bill that would hurt trans people in the Tennessee Code with the numbers and scripts at the link.

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

EMAIL: Tell the members of the House K-12 subcommittee to oppose the anti-trans private school athlete bill and the pronoun bill with this easy form.

CALL: Call the members of the House K-12 subcommittee about the anti-trans private school athlete bill and the pronoun bill with the numbers and scripts at the link.

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

EMAIL: Use this easy form to urge the Senate Education Committee to vote NO on the anti-implicit bias training bill.

CALL: Call the Senate Education Committee and urge them to vote NO on the bill banning implicit bias training in public schools and public colleges and universities with the phone numbers and scripts at the link.

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.

CALL: Call your own member of the Tennessee House of Representatives with the information and script at the link.

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.

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.

CALL: Leave a message with members of the House Insurance Subcommittee about HB1215 with the scripts and numbers at the link.

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.

CALL:  Leave a message with members of the House Local Government Committee on HB30 with the scripts and numbers at the link.

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.

EMAIL: Use this easy form to ontact the members of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on HB239, an anti-trans document bill.

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:  Leave a message with members of the House K-12 subcommittee on HB306 with the scripts and numbers at the link.

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.

Take action to fight anti-LGBTQ bills the week of February 6 with these campaigns.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

EMAIL: Use this easy form to send a message to your state senator urging a NO vote on SB3, a bill attacking drag. It is on the Senate floor the evening of February 6 at 5:00 p.m. UPDATE: The bill was deferred on Monday to Thursday. You may still have time to email.

CALL: Zoom phone bank on discriminatory bills at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Learn more at the Facebook event page.

SHOW UP:  SB3, an anti-drag bill, is on the Senate floor at 5:00 p.m. If you would like to watch from the Senate gallery, go to the Capitol building. The event is not in the Cordell Hull Building where committee meetings take place, but in the Capitol itself. It is located at 600 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Nashville.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

EMAIL:  Use this easy form to send a message to Senate Judiciary to vote NO on SB1, an anti-trans youth healthcare bill.

CALL: Call some of the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee urging them to vote NO on SB1 with the scripts and numbers at the link.

SHOW UP: SB1, an anti-trans youth healthcare bill, is up in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 3:00 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1. RSVP at the Facebook event link.

EMAIL: Use this easy form to send a message to House Criminal Justice Committee to vote NO on HB9, an anti-drag bill.

CALL: Call some of the members of the House Criminal Justice Committee to vote NO on HB9, an anti-drag bill with the scripts and numbers at the link.

SHOW UP: HB9, an anti-drag bill, is up for a vote in the House Criminal Justice Committee at 4:30 p.m. RSVP at the Facebook event link.

CALL: There is an HRC virtual phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. RSVP at this link.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

EMAIL:  Use this easy form to send a message to House Health Committee to vote NO on HB1, an anti-trans youth healthcare bill.

EMAIL: Use this easy form to send a message to the House Cities & Counties Subcommittee to vote NO on HB30, an anti-drag bill.

CALL:  Call some of the members of the House Health Committee to vote NO on HB1, an anti-trans youth healthcare bill, with the scripts and numbers at the link.

CALL: Call the members of the House Cities and Counties Subcommittee to vote NO on HB30, another anti-drag bill, with the scripts and numbers at the link.

SHOW UP: HB1, an anti-trans youth healthcare bill, is up in the House Health Committee at 3:30 p.m. and HB30, an anti-drag bill, is up in the House Cities & Counties Subcommittee. Both take place at 3:30. RSVP at the Facebook event link.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

WRITE: Join us for a postcard writing party in Clarksville from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Central Time. RSVP and learn more at the Facebook event page.

ANY DAY

SIGN: Organizations, congregations, and businesses can sign this statement for dignity and against discrimination.

January 31 was a devastating day in the Legislature. Anti-gender-affirming care legislation advanced in the House and anti-drag legislation advanced in House and Senate committees. There is still time to take action today ahead of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee meeting on SB1, a bill banning gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary youth.

EMAIL:  Use the form at the link to email the members of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee about SB1, which a ban on gender-affirming care.

CALL: Call the offices of some of the committee members and urge them to vote NO with the scripts and numbers at this link.

SHOW UP:  Attend the Senate Health hearing on SB1, which bans gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary youth at 1:00 p.m.. Facebook event at this link.

Discriminatory bills are starting to move in the Tennessee General Assembly. Take action with these campaigns the week of January 30. More specific information will be added as the week progresses.

Monday, January 30

CALL:  Zoom phone bank with inclusion tennessee at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event with Zoom link here.

CALL:  Call the Governor and urge him to reconsider Tennessee leaving CDC HIV funds on the table.

Tuesday, January 31

EMAIL:  Use the form at this link to email the members of the House Health Subcommittee about HB1, a bill banning gender-affirming care for youth.

EMAIL:  Use the form at this link to email the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Criminal Justice Subcommittee about SB3/HB9, which is an anti-drag bill.

CALL: Call the offices of some of the members of the Health Subcommittee asking them to vote NO on HB1 with the scripts and numbers at this link.

CALL:  Call the offices of some of the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee asking them to vote NO on SB3 with the scripts and numbers at this link.

CALL:  Call the offices of some of the members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee asking them to vote NO on HB9 with the scripts and numbers at this link.

SHOW UP:  Attend the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee hearing on HB9, one of the anti-drag bills, in House Hearing Room 2 at Noon. Facebook event linked here.

SHOW UP: Attend the House Health Subcommittee hearing on HB1, one of the anti-trans healthcare bills, in House Hearing Room 4 at 1:30 p.m. Facebook event linked here.

SHOW UP:  Attend the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on SB3, one of the anti-drag bills, in Senate Hearing Room 1 at 3:00 p.m. Facebook event at the link.

Wednesday, February 1

EMAIL:  Use the form at the link to email the members of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee about SB1, which a ban on gender-affirming care.

CALL: Call the offices of some of the committee members and urge them to vote NO with the scripts and numbers at this link.

SHOW UP:  Attend the Senate Health hearing on SB1, which bans gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary youth at 1:30 p.m.. Facebook event at this link.

On January 28, there is a rally against gender-affirming care for trans and non-binary in Murfreesboro. This rally sends a destructive message about our community, spreads misinformation, and increases the danger of bad public policy. Let's send a positive message from allies across the state as gender diverse youth are under attack. Sign and share this petition to show that you support life-saving care for trans and non-binary youth in Rutherford County and throughout Tennessee.

The day after the election, legislators began filing discriminatory bills. The following is the emerging Slate of Hate for 2023. The description of the bills is meant to be basic and not exhaustive of every implication. The legislative session begins on January 10, 2023.

Bills that clearly and directly attack the LGBTQ community

SB1/HB1 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Lamberth. Bans gender-affirming care for minors.

SB3/HB9 by Sen. Johnson and Rep. Todd. Restricts public drag performances and could also have the effect of putting trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people in danger.

SB5/HB1138 by Sen. Bowling and Sen. Ragan. Another bill banning gender-affirming care for minors.

SB841/HB30 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Doggett. Another bill connecting drag performances to adult cabaret performances. It defines a permitting process and prohibits the attendance of those under 18.

SB1440/HB239 by Sen. Roberts and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, adds "sex" as a defined term for statutory construction purposes.

SB1237/HB306 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Bulso. As introduced, authorizes a private school to create a policy to regulate a student's participation in the school's athletic activities or events based upon a student's biological sex. This is another anti-trans student athlete bill. The bill was later amended to use TSSAA to exclude transgender athletes at private schools from league participation.

SB466/HB1269 by Sen. Rose and Rep. Cochran. As introduced, specifies that a teacher or other employee of a public school or LEA is not required to refer to a student using the student's preferred pronoun if the pronoun is not consistent with the student's biological sex; insulates a teacher or other employee of a public school or LEA from civil liability and adverse employment action for referring to a student using the pronoun that is consistent with the student's biological sex.

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.

SB1044/HB1379 by Senator Hensley and Rep. Ragan. This is a caption bill that would sneak in anti-trans bathroom language for any setting that could be defined as a camp.

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.

SB1443/HB727 by Sen. Roberts and Rep. Hulsey. As introduced, requires a student's parent or legal guardian, or the student if the student has reached the age of majority, to provide a written, informed, and voluntarily signed consent to the student's LEA before the student may receive instruction through the LEA's family life curriculum, participate in a survey, analysis, or evaluation, or receive health services provided through a coordinated school health program. Note: This bill was later amended to include language about sexual orientation/gender identity curriculum.

SB1117/HB1411 by Sen. Bowling and Rep. Fritts. As introduced, requires an LEA to obtain a student's parent's or legal guardian's consent to allow the student to participate in instruction, an activity, evaluation, assessment, survey, or analysis offered by the student's LEA. Note: This bill was later amended to include language about sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum.

Bills that could have discriminatory implications for the LGBTQ community

SB102/HB158 by Sen. Gardenhire and Rep. Zachary. Prohibits public school districts and public higher education institutions from requiring an employee to go through implicit bias training. Note: The primary target of this bill is likely implicit bias training related to race. It may affect training related to sexual orientation and gender identity, though it is unclear how extensively those issues are discussed in implicit bias training in Tennessee school districts or Tennessee higher education institutions. Practice seems to vary.

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.

SB817/HB1376 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act.

SB1141/HB1377 by Sen. Hensley and Rep. Ragan. As introduced, creates 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.

SB681/HB774 by Sen. Reeves and Rep. Moon. As introduced, enacts the "Protecting Tennessee Businesses and Workers Act."

Positive Legislation

SB290/HB370 by Sen. Yarbro and Rep. Clemmons. As introduced, requires the department of health to seek federal funding to implement programs for the prevention, testing, and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for residents of this state, including programs in partnership with community and nonprofit partners; requires the department to annually report to the general assembly certain information about the programs and funding.

SB1078/HB1040 by Sen. Yarbro and Rep. Jernigan. As introduced, excludes materials obtained by an individual teacher, which are made available in the teacher's classroom to students assigned to the teacher's class or classes, from having to be identified in a list posted on the school's website, and from being subject to the development, review, and feedback process established by the school's local board of education or public charter school governing body for materials in the school's library collection.

How to help

1. Sign up to host postcard parties. We already have more than 20 in the works around the state. Contact us at [email protected] .

2. Save the date. Advancing Equality Day on the Hill part 1 takes place on February 15.

3. Sign up to be a district captain any time and learn how to engage your two state legislators. Contact us at [email protected] .

We are pleased to announce that BoroPride takes place on September 17 this year.  Please, find the various sponsorship and vendor levels and benefits in the graphic below. When you have selected your level, use the form at the left to make your payment.

NOTE: Food truck spaces are now sold out and vendor spaces are now sold out. Please, do NOT use this form to make a payment.

Vendors and attendees must adhere to CDC COVID-19 guidelines. By making your payment, you agree to follow the guidelines that will be provided to you prior to the event. Vendors will be notified of the guidelines in follow-up communication.

Note: The word "donation" may appear on this page or in your receipt. It refers to your payment for your sponsorship or vendor space. If you wish to pay by check, you will have to make special arrangements by contacting [email protected] . Please, do NOT send a check before contacting us at that email address.

We still have time to speak out against discriminatory bills as some advance and some are delayed. Take action with these campaigns and events. More may be added in the coming days.

APRIL 25

The House of Representatives has scheduled floor votes for the discriminatory student pronoun bill and the anti-trans college athlete bill for April 25 starting at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

Email: Use this easy form to generate a message to your own state representative against both bills.

Attend: Zoom phone bank against the discriminatory student pronoun bill at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event linked here.

APRIL 26

The Senate Finance Committee takes up the anti-trans student pronoun bill. There are two meetings of the committee that day--9:00 a.m. Central Time and 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Both meetings take place in Senate Hearing Room 1.

Email: Email the Senate Finance Committee opposing the discriminatory student pronoun bill with this easy form.

Call: Make calls against the bill using the script and numbers at the link.

ANY DAY

Call: Call Governor Lee and urge him to veto and speak out against anti-trans legislation with the number and script at the link.

We are down to about three big bills that are still moving. Take action with these campaigns and events. More campaigns may be added in the coming days.

APRIL 18

Attend: Zoom phone bank on the student pronoun bill. Facebook event with Zoom link here.

APRIL 19

The student pronoun bill is up for consideration in the Senate Finance Committee at 2:30 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1 and up for consideration in the House Finance Committee at 1:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 1. The House Finance Committee is also considering the anti-trans college athlete bill at this meeting.

Email: Use this easy form to email the Senate Finance Subcommittee and tell them to vote NO.

Email: Use this easy form to email the House Finance Subcommittee and tell them to vote NO.

Call: Make calls to the Senate Finance Committee with the scripts and numbers at the link.

Call: Make calls to the House Finance Committee with the scripts and numbers at the link.

Attend: Come to the committee hearings in the Cordell Hull Building. Facebook event page linked here.

ANY DAY

Call: Leave a message with the Governor and urge him to veto and speak out against anti-trans legislation with the number and script at the link.

We are down to four big bills that are still moving. Three of them are on notice the week of April 11. Take action with these campaigns and events. More campaigns may be added in the days ahead.

APRIL 11

The anti-trans college athlete bill and the bill that withholds funds from school districts that don't discriminate against trans athletes are on the Senate floor at 4:00 p.m. Central Time.

Email: Use this easy form to contact your own state senator about both bills.

Event: Join the Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time as we make calls for bills that are still in committee.

APRIL 13

The anti-marriage equality bill is back before the House Civil Justice Committee at 9:00 a.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3.

Email: Use the easy form to contact the committee and urge them to vote NO.

Call: Leave phone messages with members of the committee using the numbers and scripts at the link.

The anti-trans college athlete bill is back before House Finance Subcommittee at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3.

Email: Use this easy form to contact the subcommittee members and urge them to vote NO.

Call: Leave phone messages with the members of the subcommittee with the numbers and scripts at the link.

APRIL 14

The marriage bill is back on the Senate floor at 8:30 a.m. An email campaign will be added in the coming days.

ANY DAY

Call: Call Governor Lee and urge him to oppose anti-LGBTQ bills with the number and script at the link.

More bills are stalling or heading to the floor of the Senate or House, but a few still have committee hearings coming up. Take action with these campaigns and events for the week of April 4. Note: More campaigns may be added in the days ahead.

APRIL 4

Call: Join us for our Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Find the Facebook event with Zoom information linked here.

APRIL 5

The House Finance Committee will take up the student pronoun discrimination bill at 3:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 1.

Email: Use this easy form to contact the committee and urge the members to vote NO.

Call: Leave messages for members of the committee using the numbers and scripts at the link.

APRIL 6

The House Finance Subcommittee takes up the anti-trans college athlete bill at 11:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3.

Email: Use this easy form to contact the subcommittee and urge the members to vote NO.

The House Civil Justice Committee takes up the anti-marriage equality bill at 12:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3.

Email: Use this easy form to contact the committee and urge the members to vote NO.

The Senate Judiciary Committee takes up the school library censorship at 2:30 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1.

Email: Use this easy form to contact the committee and urge the members to vote NO.

APRIL 7

The anti-marriage equality bill is on the Senate floor at 8:30 a.m. Central Time.

Email: Use this easy form to contact your own state senator about the bill. (new campaign as of April 6)

Email: Use this easy form to contact your own state senator about the bill. (old campaign)

ANY DAY

Call: Call Governor Lee and leave a message urging him to work against discriminatory bills with the script and number at the link.

The final battles are shaping up as discriminatory bills stall and advance. Take action with these campaigns and events the week of March 28, which coincides with the Week of Transgender Visibility. Your action has already made a big difference. Don't let up in the final critical weeks. Note:

MARCH 28

Email: The misleading school library censorship bill is on the House floor. Use this easy form to send an email to your own state representative.

Attend: Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event is linked here.

MARCH 29

The Senate Education Committee will take up the student pronoun bill, two anti-trans athlete bills, and a school library censorship bill.

Email: Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the committee urging them to vote NO.

Attend: Go to the committee hearing at 10:30 a.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1. Facebook event is linked here.

Call: Leave messages with members of the Senate Education Committee on the bills using these scripts and numbers.

MARCH 30

The House Civil Justice Committee will consider the anti-trans college athlete bill and the strange anti-marriage equality bill.

Email: Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the committee urging them to vote NO.

Attend: Go to the committee hearing at 12:30 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 3. Facebook event is linked here.

Call: Leave messages with members of the Senate Education Committee on the bills using these scripts and numbers.

The Senate Education Committee will consider the anti-trans college athlete bill and the student pronoun bill at 1:30 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1

Email: Use this easy form to send an email to the members of the committee urging them to vote NO.

Call: Leave messages with members of the Senate Education Committee on the bills using these scripts and numbers.

MARCH 31

The bill fining school districts if they don't discriminate against transgender student athletes is scheduled for a House floor vote. Use this easy form to send an email to your own state representative.

The anti-marriage equality bill is on the Senate floor the same day. Use this easy form to send an email to your own state senator.

ANY DAY

Call: Leave a message with Governor Lee asking him to speak out against discriminatory legislation with the number and script at this link.

Discriminatory bills are advancing, stalling, and getting amended. Your advocacy matters. Take action with these campaigns and events for the week of March 21. More campaigns will be added in coming days.

MARCH 21

Attend: Zoom phone bank at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Facebook event linked here with Zoom link.

MARCH 22

The good birth certificate gender amendment bill and the bad parental bill of rights bill are up in the House Health Subcommittee at Noon Central Time in House Hearing Room 2.

Email: Send a message to the subcommittee on both bills using this easy form.

Attend: Go to the subcommittee meeting. Facebook event linked here.

Call: Leave messages for the House Health Subcommittee to support the birth certificate bill with the numbers and scripts at the link.

The strange anti-marriage equality bill is up in Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1 on March 22 and the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 23 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in House Hearing Room 2.

Email: Send a message to both committees on the marriage bill using this easy form.

MARCH 23

The Senate Health & Welfare Committee is taking the so-called parent bill of rights legislation at 10:00 a.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1.

Email: Send a message to the committee urging them to vote NO.

The Senate Education Committee is taking up five key bills at 1:00 p.m. Central Time in Senate Hearing Room 1.

Email: Send a message to the committee urging them to vote NO on all these bills with this easy form.

Attend: Go to the hearing on the bills in the Cordell Hull Building. Facebook event linked here.

Call: Leave messages for the members of the Senate Education Committee on all the bills. Best to call nights and weekends!

Any Evening

Call: Leave a message for Governor Lee and urge him to oppose discriminatory bills.

Anti-LGBTQ bills are still moving in the Legislature. Take action using the campaigns and events below. More campaigns may be added over the coming days.

MARCH 14 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time

Attend: Zoom phone bank against discrimination. Bring your phone. We supply the scripts. Facebook event with Zoom link.

MARCH 15

Attend: House Health Subcommittee Bills at Noon Central Time Facebook Event

Email: Send a message to the members of the subcommittee on 2 bills using this easy form.

Call: Make calls to members of the subcommittee on the birth certificate bill using the scripts and numbers at the link.

MARCH 16

Attend: Senate Education Committee Bills at 1:00 p.m. Central Time Facebook Event

Email: Send a message to the members of the committee on 6 bills using this easy form.

Call:  Make calls to the members of the committee on multiple bills using the scripts and numbers at the link.

Attend: House Education Administration Committee Bills at 3:30 p.m. Central Time Facebook Event.

Email: Send a message to the members of the committee on 2 bills using this easy form.

Email: Send a message to the members of the committee on the school library censorship bill.

Call: Make calls to members of the subcommittee on the pronoun bill using the scripts and numbers at the link.

NOTE: HB233, the strange anti-marriage equality bill that had been sent to summer study, was resurrected on March 14. Take action against the bill with this campaign.