Jon Coffee

My personal theology moves me to work towards building a fair world where all are welcomed and affirmed in who they are. I believe TEP has this same conviction and I am proud to be a part of their mission.


  • Demand EEOC pursue LGBT job discrimination cases

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    On January 27, Slate reported that the EEOC may withdraw from a case involving job discrimination against Amiee Stephens, a transgender woman.  New Commission chair Victoria Lipnic said "Administration-related changes" were the reason. 

    TAKE ACTION!

    1. Send your own email to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at [email protected] and urge the Commission to continue pursuing cases of LGBT job discrimination.

    2. Sign the petition.  If we reach or exceed 1000 signatures, we will deliver them to the Nashville EEOC office.

    388 signatures

    Dear Commissioners,

    We urge you to continue viewing job discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people as sex discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  In particular, you must continue to pursue the case of Amiee Stephens and other cases like it. 

    Your own report indicates there were 1768 charges of anti-LGBT job discrimination in 2016.  In many states, there are no explicit protections for LGBT workers.  Without your efforts, LGBT people are often defenseless against job discrimination.  You must continue to pursue these cases.

    Thank you for considering our views.

    Add signature

  • signed Tennessee Loves Target 2016-05-09 10:59:53 -0500

    Tennessee Loves Target

    ellyahnnaTarget.jpgTarget's trans-inclusive policies are under attack in Tennessee.  A Mt Juliet pastor's rant went viral and this week at a Hendersonville Target, protesters shouted religious wrath at employees and customers.  But we know that Tennessee loves Target and it's time to show it!

    As former TEP Board member Ellyahnna Hall (pictured) notes:  

    "I support Target for trying to provide a safe space for all people. I'm a trans woman and I've faced the dangers of not having access to restrooms that corespond to my gender identity. If opponents are really concerned with safety then let's focus on tougher rape laws and enforcing those, not creating a fake danger that doesn't exist."

    Sign the petition statement and show Target some love.  We'll deliver hard copies of the petition to select Target locations in Tennessee.


                                

    1,050 signatures

    Tennessee loves Target.  I support the company's transgender-inclusive policies and I will continue to shop at their stores.                                               

     

     

    Add signature

  • endorsed 2016-04-26 10:26:05 -0500

    Stop using religion to discriminate in Tennessee

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    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.

    Endorse

  • wants to volunteer 2015-07-28 11:52:34 -0500

    Volunteer with TEP

    TEP needs volunteers throughout the year.  Please, fill out this form or contact us at [email protected] for more information.  Thank you!

    Become a volunteer

  • endorsed 2015-07-03 19:30:57 -0500

    Marriage PLUS Pledge

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    MARRIAGE PLUS PLEDGE

    I pledge to continue to work for full

    legal and lived equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender

    people in Tennessee after we achieve marriage equality.  

    I recognize that we have more work to do on job discrimination, public

    accommodations discrimination, housing discrimination, safe

    schools/anti-bullying, bisexual erasure and visibility, health disparities,

    domestic violence, senior care, HIV/AIDS, hate crimes, documents for

    transgender people, and other issues.

    Endorse

  • wants to volunteer 2015-06-04 00:29:18 -0500

    Wedding Officiants/Celebrants for DAY ONE in Tennessee

    Are you legally able to celebrate weddings and are you willing to do so on DAY ONE and the following days of marriage equality after the Supreme Court makes its ruling?  If so, let us know.  We may be contacting you to perform ceremonies. 

    NOTE:  Do not fill out the form if you require counseling before marrying a couple.  And do not volunteer if you will only preside at the wedding but not sign the marriage license.  We respect your views, but what couples who are getting married on DAY ONE need is help quickly to get their marriage finalized. 

    If you have questions about who may solemnize a marriage in Tennessee, the answers are here.

    Become a volunteer

Linguist-turned-seminarian, I am Student Minister at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, TN.
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