Updated Advocacy Opportunities with TEP
Here is an updated list of advocacy opportunities in the new year.
Attend Orientation: On January 15, we will have an orientation to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville where legislative offices and committee rooms are located. This orientation is ideal for beginners. RSVP at the link.
Days on the Hill: Plan now to make the trip to Nashville at least once during the legislative session to speak in person with your legislators. We have three Advancing Equality Days on the Hill. Here are the dates and links so you can learn more:
If you are interested in being a district captain, which is a lead position for meetings with legislators, be in touch at [email protected] .
Postcard Writing: Prior to Advancing Equality Days on the Hill, we will attempt to hold postcard writing events on LGBTQ-related bills. The first Nashville event is Feb. 3 at Tribe. RSVP at this link. We are working on an event to be scheduled in Knoxville.
Advocacy 101 Sessions: We are planning these around the state, but if you want to help bring this preparatory class to your region, contact us at [email protected]. The Murfreesboro session is January 8. RSVP at this link. The Nashville session is January 12. RSVP at this link. The Memphis session is January 28. RSVP at this link. The Morristown session is tentatively January 21. We will update you as we have more information.
Contribute: Another way to help is to make a financial contribution so we can continue to invest in expert lobbying and the contact management systems that allow us to fight for equality in a professional and effective manner.
We are grateful for all your support, which grows the movement.
Preparing for the 111th Tennessee General Assembly
Tennessee Equality Project has been preparing for the 111th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee that convenes at Noon on January 8.
We need your help to complete our preparations. Here is what you can do.
Attend Orientation: On January 15, we will have an orientation to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville where legislative offices and committee rooms are located. This orientation is ideal for beginners. RSVP at the link.
Days on the Hill: Plan now to make the trip to Nashville at least once during the legislative session to speak in person with your legislators. We have three Advancing Equality Days on the Hill. Here are the dates and links so you can learn more:
If you are interested in being a district captain, which is a lead position for meetings with legislators, be in touch at [email protected] .
Postcard Writing: Prior to Advancing Equality Days on the Hill, we will attempt to hold postcard writing events on LGBTQ-related bills. The first Nashville event is Feb. 3 at Tribe. RSVP at this link.
Advocacy 101 Sessions: We are planning these around the state, but if you want to help bring this preparatory class to your region, contact us at [email protected]. The Murfreesboro session is January 8. RSVP at this link. The Nashville session is January 12. RSVP at this link. The Memphis session is January 28. RSVP at this link. The Morristown session is tentatively January 21. We will update you as we have more information.
Retired Persons in Middle Tennessee: Retired persons can play a special role in the upcoming legislative session by helping when LGBTQ-related bills come up in committee. We have an orientation for you on December 4. RSVP at this link.
Contribute: Another way to help is to make a financial contribution so we can continue to invest in expert lobbying and the contact management systems that allow us to fight for equality in a professional and effective manner.
We are grateful for all your support, which grows the movement.
National Coming Out Day 2018. Come out for yourself and advocacy.
It's National Coming Out Day. Come out for yourself if you're ready. It's for you. It's not about when others think you should be ready.
If you're already out or you consider yourself an ally, come out for advocacy. Although at its core, coming out is a personal decision and experience, we know that "the personal is the political." That is especially true in Tennessee.
It only took me fifteen minutes to find anti-marriage equality language on the campaign websites of one candidate for Governor of Tennessee, two candidates for State Senate, and three candidates for State House of Representatives. And anti-transgender rhetoric was used in the gubernatorial primary earlier this year. Coming out means more in Tennessee than in many places. Coming out for advocacy is more necessary in Tennessee than in many places.
Support our year-round legislative advocacy with a one-time contribution at this link. Or you can make a monthly donation at this link. Whether you make a one-time contribution or make a sustaining monthly gift, we will lobby hard for you and organize throughout the state to fight back against hate and discrimination.
Commit to attending at least one of our three Advancing Equality Days on the Hill in 2019. The Legislature convenes in less than three months. We've been preparing. But we can't do it without you. RSVP at these links:
We are grateful for your support. You make it easier for people to come out and be themselves and to come out for advocacy.
Chris Sanders
Executive Director
October is the month to use your power
October is a critical month for the LGBTQ community. Not only is it our history month, but it also includes National Coming Out Day. The personal power of coming out and the social power of our rich history are the sources of our political power. We can use our political power in October in Tennessee. Through October 9 we can register to vote at https://proudvoter.org/tep/ and then early voting across the state begins October 17. Check out these events to grow power for the LGBTQ community in Tennessee.
October 3 in Knoxville. TEP Knox, Anderson, and Blount Counties Committee meeting.
October 6 in Nashville. Voter Registration at Pecker's Bar & Grill.
October 9 Statewide: Last day to register to vote if you want to participate in the November election. Register here.
October 11 Nationwide: National Coming Out Day.
October 13 in Knoxville: OUTStanding LGBTQ+ Conference.
October 15 in Morristown: TEP Lakeway Committee meeting.
October 20 in Johnson City: Vote Together: LGBTQ Washington County.
October 20 in Murfreesboro: Vote Together: LGBTQ Rutherford County.
October 20 in Morristown: Vote Together: LGBTQ Hamblen County.
October 20 in Memphis: Vote Together: LGBTQ Memphis.
October 20 in Nashville: Vote Together: LGBTQ Nashville.
October 27 in Knoxville: Vote Together: LGBTQ.Knoxville.
Get involved THIS WEEK in Middle TN
The TEP Foundation is pleased to be part of these important voter engagement and educational programs this week. Please, join us if you are available.
Monday (today): When We All Vote Rally with Faith Hill
Tuesday: National Voter Registration Day Benefit Show featuring Mary Gauthier and more.
Wednesday: TN vs. Nashville: Marijuana, LGBTQ Rights and More.
And remember that Tennessee's voter registration deadline is October 9 if you want to participate in the November 6 election. Register online/on your phone at https://proudvoter.org/tep/ . If you're already registered, share the link with friends. Many people in Tennessee don't know the deadline is October 9.
Thanks for all you do to advance equality in Tennessee.
Chris Sanders
Executive Director
What does TEP do? The Tennessee Equality Project advocates for the equal rights of LGBTQ people in Tennessee. We do this through legislative advocacy. That means we lobby the Tennessee General Assembly and local governments around the state. When there is an important federal issue, like this anti-LGBTQ adoption issue, we help you make your voice heard with your federal officials.
What does the TEP Foundation do? The TEP Foundation provides a variety of educational and organizing programming. We have registered 282 voters online since October. We provide workshops called Advocacy 101 across the state so that more people can engage their elected officials. We monitor and analyze state legislation related to the LGBTQ community. We gather stories about the impact of state preemption of local government and provide public education on the issue. We hold Boro Pride in Murfreesboro annually. Our Tennessee Open For Business program recognizes companies that do not discriminate against their employees or customers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kick off Fall with these Events
We have a full Fall schedule ahead. Join us at these events to get involved with advancing equality in Tennessee:
September 17 in Morristown: TEP Hamblen County September Social.
September 25 in Nashville: National Voter Registration Show.
September 26 in Nashville. TN vs. Nashville: Marijuana, LGBTQ rights, and more.
October 6 in Nashville. Voter Registration at Pecker's Bar & Grill.
October 9 Statewide: Last day to register to vote if you want to participate in the November election. Register here.
October 13 in Knoxville: OUTStanding LGBTQ+ Conference.
October 20 in Johnson City: Vote Together: LGBTQ Washington County.
October 20 in Murfreesboro: Vote Together: LGBTQ Rutherford County.
October 20 in Morristown: Vote Together: LGBTQ Hamblen County.
October 20 in Memphis: Vote Together: LGBTQ Memphis.
October 20 in Nashville: Vote Together: LGBTQ Nashville.
October 27 in Knoxville: Vote Together: LGBTQ.Knoxville.
November 6 Statewide: Election Day.
Vote Early, Vote Together: Events around Tennessee
What is #VoteTogether ? According to the project's website: #VoteTogether is a national campaign to increase voter participation by making voting fun and celebratory. At thousands of nonpartisan events hosted at and near polling places across the country, #VoteTogether partners will bring together families, friends and neighbors in a celebration of civic engagement and the act of voting."
Who is behind #VoteTogether? "#VoteTogether is an initiative of Civic Nation. Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing some of our nation’s most pressing challenges through organizing, engagement and public awareness. It does this by working in partnership with the Creative Alliance which is a collaborative of 83 creative companies that do pro bono work for Civic Nation to turn ideas into action."
The TEP Foundation is pleased to work with Civic Nation and Civic TN to produce 6 #VoteTogether events in Tennessee to increase voter turnout in our state's LGBTQ and ally community.
Here are the links to our events.
October 20 in Johnson City: Vote Together: LGBTQ Washington County.
October 20 in Murfreesboro: Vote Together: LGBTQ Rutherford County.
October 20 in Morristown: Vote Together: LGBTQ Hamblen County.
October 20 in Memphis: Vote Together: LGBTQ Memphis.
October 20 in Nashville: Vote Together: LGBTQ Nashville.
October 27 in Knoxville: Vote Together: LGBTQ.Knoxville.
Are other events planned? TEP is not planning additional #VoteTogether events. Other Civic Nation partners may be.
If you have questions about these events, contact us at [email protected] .
Where do I find information about early voting and election day times and locations? You can contact your County Election Commission by going to this link and then clicking on your county on the map.
TEP Foundation welcomes 3 new voter registration coordinators
The TEP Foundation is pleased to welcome three new voter registration coordinators who will be working with the community to increase voter registration in Tennessee. Phillis Lewis will serve the Memphis area. Kathy Halbrooks will serve the Nashville area. Lester Finuf will serve the Knoxville area. We are hopeful that we can sustain the program through the voter registration deadline of October 9 for those who wish to participate in the November election.
If would like us to consider having a voter registration table at your event, email us at [email protected] .
If you wish to register to vote, you can do so online at this link.
If you would like to support our work with a contribution, you can do so at this link.
Build Power for Equality in the Coming Weeks
Please, join members of TEP across the state at these events to help build power for equality and celebrate the LGBTQ community:
August 14. Knoxville. TEP Knox, Anderson, and Blount Counties Committee Volunteer Thank-you Party.
August 17. Nashville. Early voting begins in the special election for Vice Mayor.
August 18. Nashville. Voter Registration at Tribe.
August 20. Morristown. TEP Hamblen County Picnic.
August 22. Nashville. Minority in Concert. TEP is one of the hosts of this event.
August 28. Nashville. Walk the Talk: Supporting our Transgender Youth. Hosted by The Temple. TEP is participating.
September 4. Murfreesboro. TEP Rutherford County Social.
September 6. Nashville. Election Day for special election for Vice Mayor.
September 8. Murfreesboro. Boro Pride, a TEP Foundation event.
Other Ways to Help:
1. Register to vote online at this link or share the link with others.
2. If you are a member of Tennessee's LGBTQ community and have experienced job discrimination, please take our survey at this link.
3. Make a contribution to support our government relations and advocacy work at this link.
Three Contract Positions: Voter Registration Coordinators in Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville Areas
Title: Knoxville Area Voter Registration Coordinator, Memphis Area Voter Registration Coordinator, Nashville Area Voter Registration Coordinator
Type: Contract
Duration: Month-to-month until October 15, 2018 as needed
Rate: $670 per month
Reports to: Tennessee Equality Project Foundation executive director and the TEP County Chair for the area in which you are working.
Description: The three Voter Registration Coordinators will register voters in their cities and the surrounding areas at gay/LGBTQ bars (including bars/clubs that only admit ages 21 and up) and other public events such as festivals. Applicants must be available to work nights and weekends. Coordinators will set up voter registration tables at these venues and events and actively engage people to register to vote. The coordinators are responsible for registering voters in compliance with the terms of the grant through which the program is funded, including making weekly reports on results and upcoming plans. Attending some training sessions is a requirement. No partisan activity or any activity supporting any candidate or campaign is permitted in connection with this position.
Tennessee Equality Project Foundation will provide Form 1099-MISC. The contractor is responsible for filing and payment of all taxes associated with the contract.
Preferred Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent required. Some college preferred. Experience with voter registration is preferred.
Contact: Submit resume and cover letter (pdf preferred) to [email protected] by July 26, 2018. No phone calls, no Facebook messages or other contact via social media. Indicate in your email for which of three positions you are applying.