Take a minute to contact Governor Bill Haslam by phone message or on Twitter and then let us know you did it using this form.  Let's get to 500 or more!

I called or Tweeted Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and urged him to veto HB1840, the counseling discrimination bill.  I'm asking you to do the same this week.

On April 18, 2016 about 30 pastors shamefully stood in Legislative Plaza and spoke in favor of the anti-transgender student bathroom bill.  And religion was used to advance the counseling discrimination bill.  Many more clergy across Tennessee publicly opposed both bills.

Whether you're religious or not, aren't you tired of religion being used to support discrimination in our laws?  If so, endorse this statement:

We oppose the use of religion to justify discrimination in Tennessee law.  To use religion to divide us in our public life violates the spirit of the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions, does harm to the people of Tennessee, and brings scandal to religion.

We've all seen the articles that say that the LGBTQ community doesn't count in the 2020 Census. Questions more directly related to our community were left out of the final version. But it's still important to participate because it affects the federal funds that come back to Tennessee and it shapes the way our federal, state, and local districts are drawn for accurate representation. You still count!

So we are asking LGBTQ people and allies in Tennessee to take the pledge. Please, add your name if you have already participated in the Census or if you plan to.  If you haven't done so, you can fill it out online at this link.

I pledge that I have either participated in the 2020 Census or that I plan to participate and I urge all my friends and neighbors to do so.

Many Tennessee cities will have elections in 2015.  Tennessee's three largest--Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville--are among them.  Will you pledge to remind your friends to vote in these important elections in 2015?  We're starting early because we want to get OUT the equality vote.  Your organization--even if it is a 501c3 or congregation--can also help.  501c3 organizations and congregations are allowed to tell their members when an election is and what is on the ballot.  Those activities in NO WAY endanger their tax exempt status with the IRS.  So we are asking you or your organization to pledge to get word out about these elections as they approach.  Those individuals and organizations signing up will get information about getting OUT the vote as the elections approach. 

Note:  The word "endorse" on this page means you are endorsing the plan to get word out about elections.  The plan does not involve endorsing candidates. 

We will add more city election information as it becomes available, but so far we know these dates:

City of Jackson

Early Voting--April 15-30

Election Day--May 5

City of Knoxville

Early Voting Begins--September 9

Primary Election Day--September 29

Regular Election Early Voting Begins--October 14

Regular Election Day--November 3

City of Memphis

Early Voting Begins--September 18

Election Day--October 8

Runoff Early Voting Begins--October 14

Runoff Election Day--November 3

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Election Day--August 6

Learn more about why the diversity vote is so important in these upcoming elections by taking a look at this video from "12th & Broad" featuring comments from TEP.

The response to discriminatory laws in Indiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi makes it clear that everyone is affected.  So we all have a role to play in making sure that Tennessee is able to attract good jobs and keep our economy open for business.  That includes conservatives, independents, and business people, too.  Please, endorse Keep Tennessee Open For Business.  Use your voice and your influence to speak out for a prosperous Tennessee.

Economic opportunity allows individuals to live up to their potential and keeps families strong.  Discriminatory laws in other states have resulted in billions of dollars of losses because of boycotts and companies reconsidering their investments .  Tennessee cannot afford to go down that road.  Legislation like HB1840, which allows counselors to discriminate, and HB2414, which micromanages which bathrooms students are allowed to use, risks Tennessee's prosperity.

I endorse Keep Tennessee Open For Business to say that I stand for economic opportunity for our state and against discriminatory legislation that poses a threat to our future.

"Are you an athlete who supports the equality of LGBT people?"  If so and you play or coach a sport in high school or college or with a professional or club team, your voice can help advance acceptance and equality in Tennessee.  By endorsing Athletes for Acceptance, you are simply saying that you support the equality of LGBT people and you are helping change the conversation about equality in our state.  The Tennessee Equality Project is grateful for your support of this initiative started by our high school interns from Shelby, Rutherford, Williamson, and Davidson Counties. 

Endorsing Athletes for Acceptance is simple.  All you have to do is give us a little information.  Thank you.

*Note:  Entire teams are welcome to join.  If you have difficulty with the process, contact us at [email protected] .