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News & Information
Recent Headlines affecting the TN Community
  • Former Memphis Police officer pleads guilty to beating of Duanna Johnson
    WMC TV 5 - Memphis, TN  08/26/2010
    The 2008 beating of transgender prisoner Duanna Johnson has long made news across the state of Tennessee, even the United States. While her murder is still unsolved the case of her inhumane beating by officer Bridges McRae is finally over, offering closure to family and friends.… [read article]
  • Non-discrimination ordinance withdrawn by Memphis City Council
    Out & About Newspaper  08/24/2010
    Since LGBT citizens and City employees were treated like second-class citizens by the Memphis Mayor and City Council, TEP does not believe that Memphis City Government is serious about making Memphis a real City of Choice for all job seekers, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Memphis will be considered a City of Exclusion as long as its citizens are treated with disrespect and fear. TEP looks forward to returning to the Mayor and the City Council with legislation protecting all employees from unfair discrimination when a fair hearing is possible.… [read article]
  • Councilwoman Getting Death Threats For Supporting Non-Discrimination Against Gays
    WREG Channel 3 - Memphis, Tn  07/28/2010
    In what can only be more reason to believe that job protections are needed, we learn of threats against the life of Councilwoman Janis Fullilove. An outspoken advocate for our community, Fullilove is sponsor of the ordinance that would protect employees of the city of Memphis against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. If you are a citizen of Memphis, please visit http://tnep.org/email/ to contact your city council members.… [read article]
  • Churches fight employment protections in Memphis, TEP fights back
    CBS affiliate, Memphis, TN  07/19/2010
    Watch this interview with our own Jonathan Cole, Chair of the Memphis/Shelby County Committee as he shares why this measure is so important to us, and our families. If you live or work in Memphis visit www.tnep.org/email to contact your council members. Please also share this with family and friends who live or work in Memphis as well.… [read article]
  • Church's [sic] Say City Non-Discrimination Resolution Is Dangerous
    wreg.com News Channel 3  07/19/2010
    The emails and calls are hitting City Hall. They are about the non-discrimination resolution. Councilwoman Janis Fullilove is sponsoring the measure that says there should be no discrimination in hiring, promoting or demoting a city employee based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.… [read article]
Grand Divisions: News and Comment on TN Politics
grand-divisions.blogspot.com
  • Saturday Brunch: Letter about Memphis ordinance, Anti-gay push polling in Nashville area, and celebrations around the State
    Yellin for Fairness in Memphis: Emily Yellin wrote a great letter to the editor that appeared in today's Commercial Appeal. She writes with urgency about the recently withdrawn employment non-discrimination ordinance:

    ...doesn't Memphis, in particular, have a special responsibility and obligation, forevermore, to go much further than any other city in the United States in explicitly ensuring that all of its city workers are protected against any kind of intolerance or unfair employment practices?


    Isn't it incumbent upon our leaders, and all of us, to guarantee, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we will never again allow any unequal labor conditions to exist in this city that could set the stage for the kind of local suffering and national tragedy that took place here in 1968?

    Dialing up the hate in Nashville: Yesterday we wrote a Facebook note on some anti-GLBT push polling going on the 5th Congressional District. It is apparently coming from David Hall's campaign in his effort to unseat Congressman Jim Cooper. I don't think he's going to get much traction with this tactic. First, anti-gay campaigning is so 2004--2006. Second, most people are focused on jobs and the economy. Third, um, we passed that little thing in Nashville called the non-discrimination ordinance and no one's head exploded. Fourth, the three people I know who received the call are all equality advocates. If Mr. Hall wants to motivate voters in East Nashville and Belmont-Hillsboro to turn out in big numbers in November, we won't stand in his way.

    Celebrate good times, come on!: Despite the challenges, Tennessee's GLBT community knows how to celebrate the good things in life. On September 5, the TEP Tri-Cities Committee is throwing the first ever GLAMBOREE to raise money for the organization. Part drag show and part cookout, the event will definitely rock Johnson City like it's never been rocked before. And on September 15, the TEP Nashville Committee brings you the Nashville Victory Toast to celebrate the anniversary of the Metro non-discrimination ordinance. Join 59 hosts and representatives of Metro government to celebrate this important milestone.

    That's it. Have a great Saturday. Back to the iced tea!

    -Chris Sanders
    Yellin for Fairness in Memphis: Emily Yellin wrote a great letter to the editor that appeared in today's Commercial Appeal… [read more]
  • I was going to take a nap before Paul Stanley had to mention Tiger Woods After a long week that included a couple of political disappointments, I thought I would take a nap late this afternoon… [read more]
  • Mayor AC Wharton wants to be clear about the Memphis Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance Over the course of yesterday, the news broke that TEP asked for the employment non-discrimination ordinance and resolution to be withdrawn… [read more]
  • City of Memphis fails to provide fair hearing for inclusive workplace protections Memphis TN, August 24, 2010:  At the request of the Tennessee Equality Project Councilwoman Janis Fullilove withdrew the Employment Non-Discrimination Ordinance that would provide inclusive workplace protections for City of Memphis employees based on religion, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, sex, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression… [read more]
  • Small in size, but packing a powerful punch: A lesson from unions Today's Tennessean includes a detailed piece on the role of unions in Tennessee and Nashville politics… [read more]
  • TEP's commitment to inclusion The Board of TEP often adopts policy positions for local and state level  legislation. Whenever we adopt such positions, we advance inclusive policies that protect people based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.  All non-discrimination legislation supported and advanced by TEP seeks to protect lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual and transgender people… [read more]
Legislation
Bills TEP is currently monitoring Learn more about TN's legislative process/terminology
Bill No. Description / Status
Campaigns & Lobbying
SB 0005
HB 0010 *		 Photo ID required to vote.
Changes requirements for voter registration form from simply including "such matter as the coordinator of elections requires" to listing the specific criteria. Requires applicant to sign a sworn statement of legal citizenship and residency. Provides the administrator of elections must reject any application for registration that is not accompanied by proof of citizenship and lists acceptable forms of proof. Clarifies that those already registered in the state will not be required to resubmit proof, and voters who do not have a photo ID can cast provisional ballots. Provides that those who cannot afford a photo ID can sign a pauper's oath and have one provided. (S: Ketron; H: Maggart)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate State & Local Government.
House Status: Referred to House Elections Subcommittee.
SB 1999 *
HB 1838 		Proven citizenship status prior to registration to vote.
Requires the printed voter registration form to include a statement that the applicant must submit evidence of U.S. citizenship with the application and that the registrar must reject the application if no evidence of citizenship is attached. Requires a voter to present to the registrar one form of identification that bears the name, address and photograph of the voter. (S: Norris; H: Todd)
Amendment: Senate State & Local Government Committee amendment 1, House Elections Subcommittee amendment 1 retains all provisions of the original bill but does the following: permits rather than requires the registrar to reject registration if no proof of citizenship is provided; and clarifies the intent of the general assembly that this act apply to new registration forms only and that any remaining printed forms be used until January.
Senate Status: Senate deferred to 04/30/2009.
House Status: Bill will stay in House Elections Subcommittee after Representative McCormick chose not to move to recall the bill from the subcommittee in House State & Local 05/12/2009.
Criminal Law
SB 0253
HB 0335 *		 Enhancement factor - basis in gender identity or expression.
Requires the court to consider whether a defendant intentionally chose a victim of crime based on gender identity or expression in determining whether to enhance a defendant's sentence. Thus, adds to present law advisory enhancement factor for sentencing a defendant who intentionally chose a victim of crime, in whole or in part, because of the victim's race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or gender. (S: Marrero; H: Richardson)
Senate Status: Senate Judiciary deferred to 05/19/2009.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Judiciary 05/13/2009.
Education
SB 1234
HB 0812 *		 Parents to request students attend family life courses.
Requires a written receipt from the student's parents or guardian who wishes the student to attend a family life course. Allows a student to be excuses from a portion of family life instruction by submitting a request to the principal. (S: Bunch; H: Campfield)
Senate Status: Set for Senate Education Committee 04/05/2010.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Education K-12 Subcommittee 03/31/2010.
SB 1250
HB 0821 *		 Prohibits teaching of homosexuality in grades K-8.
Prohibits the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality in public school grades K-8. (S: Bunch; H: Campfield)
Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Education 04/07/2010.
House Status: House Education K-12 Subcommittee deferred to the Board of Education for Summer Study.
Family Law
SB 0050 *
HB 0398		 Rebuttable presumption for shared custody.
Creates rebuttable presumption that equally shared parenting is in the best interest of the child. (S: Bunch; H: Rowland)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Domestic Relations Subcommittee 03/25/2009.
SB 0052 *
HB 0427		 Reporting on adoptions.
Requires the department of children's services to report annually to the select committee of children and youth regarding the total number of adoptions and the number of adoptions in which the child is related to the adoptive parents versus the number of adoption in which the child is not related. Broadly captioned. (S: Bunch; H: Bell)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Caption bill held on House clerk's desk.
SB 0078 *
HB 0605		 Ineligibility for cohabitants to adopt a child.
Prohibits the adoption of a minor by either same-sex or opposite-sex individuals cohabiting outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of the state. (S: Stanley; H: DeBerry J.)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Family Justice Subcommittee.
SB 0181
HB 0002 *		 Equal and Fair Parenting Act.
Creates a rebuttable presumption that equally shared parenting is the custody arrangement in the best interest of a child. (S: Jackson; H: Hardaway)
Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Judiciary 04/23/2009.
House Status: Failed in House Domestic Relations Subcommittee 04/15/2009 on a vote of three to three.
  Other Status: Tennessee Judicial Council reviewed 03/26/2009 with no comment.
SB 0252
HB 0334 *		 Amendment of birth certificate for gender change.
Requires amendment of birth certificate upon receipt of a sworn statement from a licensed medical professional that the person's gender has changed. Deletes present law prohibition against changing sex on original certificate of birth as a result of sex change surgery. (S: Marrero; H: Richardson)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee.
SB 1070
HB 0931 *		 Change sex designation on birth certificate.
Authorizes certain persons to change the sex designation on their birth certificate. (S: Marrero; H: Kernell)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status: Referred to House Health Care Facilities Subcommittee.
SB 2136
HB 2159 *		 Embryo Donation and Adoption Act of 2009.
Specifies that if an embryo is donated by its genetic parents or by its owners or by a clinic with the legal authority to relinquish its ownership to a woman and her husband, then a child born as the result of the implantation of that embryo is presumed to be the adopted child of such woman and husband. Requires that a written contract be executed transferring ownership of parental rights of the embryo prior to thawing and transfer of the embryo. States that any provision in such contract that requires visitation by the genetic parent or otherwise places any conditions on the embryo adoption is to be void and of no effect whatsoever. Clarifies that nothing under this part is to be construed to prohibit open embryo adoption. Permits the adopting parents to file an adoption petition seeking a final order of adoption, but clarifies that the final order of adoption is not required. (S: Black; H: Hensley)
Senate Status: Taken off notice in Senate Judiciary 04/01/2009.
House Status: Taken off notice in House Family Justice Subcommittee 04/07/2009.
Health Care
SB 1426 *
HB 1706		 Healthcare Freedom of Conscience Act.
Enacts the "Healthcare Freedom of Conscience Act." Allows health care providers to choose not to participate in the performance of a health care act that violates their conscience. Clarifies that such health care acts includes, but is not limited to, abortions, euthanasia, fetal experimentation, and physician-assisted suicide. Prohibits discrimination against individuals or institutions that decline to perform certain medical procedures or acts. (S: Stanley; H: Hensley)
Senate Status: Referred to Senate General Welfare.
House Status: Referred to House Professional Occupations Subcommittee.
Miscellaneous
HJR 0477 Opposition to the recognition of same-sex marriages.
Urges Congress to reject measure adopted by the City Council of the District of Columbia relative to recognition of same-sex marriages. (H: Floyd)
House Status: Referred to House Domestic Relations Subcommittee.

To read the entire text of any of the bills mentioned in our legislative updates, visit the Legislature's website, or click on the bill numbers above.

It's Time

In September 2008 we launched the IT’S TIME campaign to advance positive protections for our community.  We have begun to see success. 

On June 1, 2009 the Shelby County Commission passed a resolution protecting County employees from discrimination based on non-merit factors.  Sexual orientation and gender identity were read into the legislative record to insure that these two factors would be included in the policy. 

On September 15, 2009, the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County passed a non-discrimination ordinance that protects Metro government employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  These milestones are just the beginning.

We will:

  1. Continue our efforts to advance a nondiscrimination ordinance in Memphis.
  2. Work for equality in hospital visitation in Tennessee
  3. Lay the groundwork for a non-discrimination ordinance in an East TN city

It’s Time for you to get involved.  We ask you to:

  1. Volunteer with one of our county committees or help us form one where you live by contacting us at info@tnep.org.
  2. Join TEP, renew your membership, or make a contribution at tnep.org/donate.

Together we can turn a corner in Tennessee.  With the strength of a united community we will gain the protections that make a difference in our lives.