The racist and homophobic comments of Sevier County Commissioner Warren Hurst have shocked people across the country.  Please, add your name to protest his divisive words and call for policy change in Sevier County, Tennessee.  We will deliver your signatures to the Sevier County Government in November at the next county commission meeting.

Victories in the legislative arena are homegrown in Tennessee.  Local professionals, volunteers, LGBTQ people, and allies make them happen.  In 2018, TEP received no national financial support for our legislative efforts, but we beat all the discriminatory bills in that legislative session because Tennesseans took action.  We welcome your support again in 2019 because Tennessee is one of the top states for the number of discriminatory bills filed every year.  While your contribution to our legislative lobbying efforts through this portal is not tax deductible, it allows us to invest in professional, experienced lobbying and statewide organizing to bolster our defenses.  We are grateful for your support. 

If you want to set up a MONTHLY donation, you can do so at this link.

Two of TEP's founders--Jim Schmidt and Joe Woolley--have issued a challenge to our members.  They are matching the first $1000 in tax deductible donations to the TEP Foundation.  So that means that your contribution will be doubled!  We are grateful for the commitment that Joe and Jim have made over the years to TEP and their ongoing leadership in many organizations that benefit Tennessee's LGBT community such as the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Victory Fund. 

We hope you will join them in investing in our work this week.  Note:  We will let Jim and Joe know that you have made a contribution in their honor if you participate.  Thank you!

In April the owners of the Wild Cow and Graze restaurants added gender-neutral signs to their single occupancy restrooms, but they were later told that this move meant they were no longer in compliance with the Metro code.  They made the move to serve their customers and employees and to protest the Legislature's bathroom bill that was pending at the time.  You can read about the background here.

Metro Nashville Councilman Brett Withers has filed a bill allowing businesses the option of gender-neutral bathrooms.  You can read the bill at this link.  The bill is up for second of three readings on June 7 at the 6:30 Metro Council meeting in the Metro Courthouse.

Sign the petition to show your support.

Sign this NEW petition urging Governor Bill Haslam to keep listening to the voices opposed to the anti-transgender student bathroom bill!

Please, add your voice and urge Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to veto this discriminatory bill.