Grand Divisions

Tennessee Equality Project seeks to advance and protect the civil rights of our State’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons and their families in each Grand Division.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

TAKE ACTION against bad legislation to be heard in the Tennessee Legislature this Week!

Use your voice to fight against legislation which negatively impacts lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in Tennessee. Participate in each of these petitions to send a message to members of legislative committees hearing legislation this week to protect the equality of LGBT people.

On March 1, the Senate State & Local Government Committee will hear legislation (SB 0630) that will take away the right of local communities to improve the lives of their citizens and give contractors special rights to discriminate against their workers.  On March 2, the House General Subcommittee of Commerce will hear the house version of this legislation (HB0598). As introduced, the “Special Access to Discriminate Act” will prohibit local governments from enacting non-discrimination provisions for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees of government contractors. SB 0630 will also prohibit local governments from enacting fair wage laws for employees of government contractors. 
Learn more and click through the next two petitions to send messages to committees of both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly:


Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »


On Wednesday, March 2, the House General Sub-committee of State and Local Government will hear legislation that will suppress voting in Tennessee. HB0007 & HB0402 will require Tennessee citizens to present photo identification before voting in elections. Each proposed law will create extra hassles for many citizens without a photo ID when voting, including people who are poor, elderly, transgender or those who have religious objections to being photographed. HB0007 & HB0402 may force some citizens to complete extra paperwork not currently required and raises the risk of harassment and disenfranchisement of such voters.

Click through this petition to send a message to members of the House General Sub-Committee of State & Local Government to vote against HB0007 and HB0402:

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »


Advancing Equality Day on the Hill on is just two days away. If you'll be with us on March 1, be sure to attend the Senate State and Local Government Committee hearing on SB0630 at 10:30 AM in Room 12 LP of Legislative Plaza.

If you cannot be with us on the Hill to advocate for the advancement and protections of equality, encourage your friends and family in Tennessee to participate in the above message campaigns. We must all do our part to ensure equality is protected.


You can help TEP advance and protect equality in this 107th Tennessee General Assembly by making a contribution today. Click here to make a financial commitment to the cause. 


- Jonathan Cole

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