Outgoing Ohio Governor John Kasich recently signed an executive order barring discrimination against state government employees on the basis of gender identity.  Discrimination based on sexual orientation was already banned. 

Outgoing Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam could do the same for our state government employees.  Sign the petition and urge him to protect LGBTQ state government employees by executive order.  If we get 1000+ signatures, we will deliver them to the Governor's office. 

A foster care and adoption license to discriminate measure was recently put into a health and human services funding bill in the House Appropriations Committee.

The “Aderholt Amendment” allows foster care and adoption service providers across the country to discriminate against children and prospective parents based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and marital status.

We need your help to tell Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker:  NO ADOPTION DISCRIMINATION in the 2019 Appropriations bill!  We will deliver hard copies to their offices.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring so the President will name a successor who must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.  Sign to urge Senator Alexander and Senator Corker to speak up for the LGBTQ community during the confirmation process.  TEP will deliver a hard copy of the signatures to their offices.

Registration for this new conference is now open for professionals seeking continuing education credit.  The cost of registration is $75 per person, allowing each participant to receive 5 continuing education units.  Professionals are encouraged to register early as fees may increase the day of the conference. 

***If you are a professional not seeking credit or a member of the public, you are welcome to attend free of charge if you register here. 

The conference takes place on October 7 at the Hilton Knoxville located at 501 W. Church Ave. in Knoxville, TN. 

Schedule:  The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration followed by presentations.  The lunch break takes place at 11:45 and many good options are available near the hotel.  The conference ends between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.

Parking:  Parking is available for Hilton guests in an attached garage. Self parking is $13 per day or $16 per day valet parking for overnight guests. Day guests can self park at a discounted rate of $10 if attending meetings and functions
in the hotel. Valet Parking is available 24 hours a day. Locust Street Garage is owned by the city and is currently $2.00 for the first 2 hours, and $1.00 for each additional hour (max $7.00). Complimentary parking is offered at city owned garages on most nights and weekends.

This conference is made possible through a generous grant from the City of Knoxville.

Let us know your name, email address, and your Knox County Board of Education/Knox County School Board district.  Every resident of Knox County is part of a Board of Education district with your own School Board member.

*If you don't know your Board of Education member, you might find your district number on your voter registration card.  You can also use the map at this link to determine your district. 

Remember:  We need your name, email address, and Board of Education District in the form.  We may contact you about advocacy for LGBTQ students.  Thank you.

Tell us your state senate and state house districts.  Note:  We are NOT asking for your U.S. Senate and U.S. House districts (the elected officials who meeting in Washington, D.C. ).  We are asking about your elected officials you meet in Nashville--your state senator and your state representative.  You can find them at this link by entering your street address.

So tell us your state senator and your state representative as well as your email address.  Thank you!