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.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Cheatham County citizens make 3 anti-bullying proposals to Board of Education


February 27, 2012

Nashville, TN—On February 22, Cheatham County residents delivered three anti-bullying proposals for consideration by the Cheatham County Board of Education at their March meeting.    The proposals resulted from ongoing discussions of bullying  by Cheatham County residents and youth and equality advocates from Nashville after Cheatham County Central High School senior Jacob Rogers took his life in December.  Family and friends say that Rogers was bullied at school for being gay.

Two of the proposals acknowledge steps taken by Cheatham County Schools to address bullying such as a revision of the district’s anti-bullying policy that took place in November and efforts to provide teacher trainings.  In the first proposal, Jeremy Rogers of Ashland City recommends that Cheatham County Schools provide a monthly report to the public that would document the number of bullying cases per school and how they were resolved.  In the second proposal, Mary Ann Bernicky of Pegram requests that copies of the curriculum used to train teachers on bullying issues be made available for public inspection and that the district provide information on how many teachers have been trained as well as reveal any plans for ongoing certification of school personnel.  

The third proposal offered by Kaelynn Malugin of Ashland City suggests a revision of the district’s anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies to include the categories “gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation” in their enumerated classes to improve protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students or those who are perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

The Tennessee Equality Project provided assistance in drafting the proposals and advice in navigating the Cheatham County Board of Education’s policy process. 
 
The next meeting of the Cheatham County Board of Education is March 5.

Contact:           Chris Sanders
  (615) 390-5252
                        chris@tnequalityproject.com

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Saturday, February 25, 2012

TEP Tracking Report for the week of Feb. 26, 2012


Tennessee Equality Project is actively tracking the following legislation in the second session of the 107th  Tennessee General Assembly. These bills are on notice in House and Senate committees this week. High priority bills appear in orange highlight.









SB49 / HB229 Teaching of sexuality in elementary and middle schools.
Sponsors
Sen. Stacey Campfield / Rep. Joey Hensley
Description
Prohibits a public elementary school or middle school from the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality.
Senate Status
05/20/2011 - Senate passed with amendment 5.
House Status
02/23/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 02/28/12, Tuesday, 12 noon, Legislative Plaza 16

SB314 / HB188 Sentence enhancements when gender identity motivates crime.
Sponsors
Sen. Beverly Marrero / Rep. Jeanne Richardson
Description
Includes "gender identity or expression", rather than gender alone, on the list of motivations behind committing a crime that may be considered for sentence enhancement.
Senate Status
02/09/2011 - Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status
02/23/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Judiciary 02/29/12.

SB426 / HB432 Student participation in extracurricular activities.
Sponsors
Sen. Stacey Campfield / Rep. Matthew Hill
Description
Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school by displaying such information in the student handbooks or policy guidebooks. Prohibits a school from allowing a student to become a member or participate in any activities of a club or organization if the parent or legal guardian of such student has tendered a written communication prohibiting such student from such membership or participation.
Senate Status
02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/29/12, Wednesday, 8:30 AM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status
05/09/2011 - House passed.

SB2488 / HB2548 Student participation in extracurricular activities.
Sponsors
Sen. Dolores R. Gresham / Rep. Matthew Hill
Description
Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians, by way of student handbook or policy guidebook, of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school. Gives parents the opportunity to prohibit their child from participating in such clubs or organizations by tendering a written communication to the school.
Senate Status
02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/29/12, Wednesday, 8:30 AM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status
02/14/2012 - House Education recommended. Sent to Calendar & Rules.

SB2506 / HB2414 Aids studies for public outreach and education.
Sponsors
Sen. Beverly Marrero / Rep. Brenda Gilmore
Description
Requires the office of research and accountability to study AIDS prevention curricula implemented by LEAs. Requires the department of health to study AIDS prevention curricula that has been implemented in other states to determine if the programs are meritorious and effective.
Senate Status
02/22/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment 1 (01289562), which replaces the word, "AIDS," with "HIV/AIDS."
House Status
02/23/2012 - House passed with amendment 1 (01289562), which replaces the word, "AIDS," with "HIV/AIDS."

SB3060 / HB3266 Protection of first amendment rights in schools.
Sponsors
Sen. Jim Summerville / Rep. Phillip Johnson
Description
Prohibits local education agencies, administrative personnel, and instructional personnel from taking affirmative action, including entering into an agreement that infringes upon or waives the rights or freedoms afforded to school personnel and students under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, without the written consent of the impacted individuals.
Senate Status
02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/29/12, Wednesday, 8:30 AM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status
02/23/2012 - Set for House floor on 03/01/2012.

SB3606 / HB3505 Partnerships between LEAs and parents
Sponsors
Sen. Joe M. Haynes / Rep. Brenda Gilmore
Description
Authorizes and encourages LEAS to partner with individuals, community and faith-based groups and organizations and nonprofit and for-profit entities to design and implement programs to improve parental involvement in their children's education and schools, particularly in high priority schools or school systems; such programs shall include parenting classes provided at low or no cost to the parents by community organizations. Allows rewards for schools and classes and honors parental participation.
Senate Status
02/01/2012 - Referred to Senate Education.
House Status
02/23/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Education 02/29/12.
IMMIGRATION BILLS
SB2371 / HB2493 Trafficking in commercial sex acts - offense created.
Category
Criminal Law
Sponsors
Sen. Beverly Marrero / Rep. Jim Coley
Description
Defines "commercial sex act" as any sexual act for which something of value is given or received. Replaces the existing Class B felony offense of "trafficking for sexual servitude" with "trafficking a person for a commercial sex act" and adds the attempt to subject, benefit from, or attempt to benefit from another person's provision of a commercial sex act. Requires a person who is convicted of a commercial sex act offense to register with the TBI pursuant to the Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration, Verification and Tracking Act of 2004. Elevates the offense to a Class A felony if the victim is a child between 13 and 15 years of age.
Senate Status
02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 02/28/12, Wednesday, 3:30 PM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status
02/23/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Finance 02/29/12, Wednesday, 9:00 AM, Legislative Plaza 16

Monday, February 20, 2012

State lawmakers lack credibility on anti-gay legislation


PRESS RELEASE FROM TENNESSEE EQUALITY PROJECT

(Monday, Feb. 20, 2012) Last Wednesday, the House Education Subcommittee approved an amended version of HB0229, a bill historically called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill which amends curriculum guidelines for grades K-8. The original version of the bill stated that “no public elementary or middle school shall provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.”

Instead of explicitly prohibiting discussion of homosexuality, the amended version of HB0229 exclusively limits “any instruction or materials made available or provided at or to a public elementary or middle school” to something called “natural human reproduction science.”

Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) arrived late to Wednesday’s hearing with assurances that the amended bill does not “prohibit the use of the word gay, change the state’s anti-bullying statute, or prohibit a school guidance counselor from discussing issues of sexuality with a student.” He made the case that HB0229, as amended, clarifies current curriculum practice and is consistent with Title 49 as written.

But those assurances don’t agree with statements made by the Senate sponsor of the same bill (SB0049) before and after it was amended.

Sen. Stacey Campfield claimed last April that he had proof that teachers were talking about homosexuality in the schools, even though the State Board of Education stated there was no evidence it was happening.  When asked directly, Sen. Campfield could not and would not provide specific instances of teachers talking about homosexuality in grades K-8.  He made vague references to one alleged incident by a teacher, but could not even say what grade this teacher taught or what subject.

When asked about the amended SB0049 after it passed last May, Sen. Campfield admitted that many of his colleagues were uncomfortable with the language. "There's more than one way to skin a cat," he said and went on to say, "I got what I wanted." He said the language is appropriate because "homosexuals don't naturally reproduce," and he said it's necessary because the state's curriculum is unclear on what can be taught.

With the explicit reference to sexual orientation removed, H.G. Stovall, Board member of the Tennessee Equality Project said “Rep. Dunn wants Tennesseans to forget that Sen. Campfield’s original intent is preserved in the amended bill.  It’s a clever ploy that has become all too familiar in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly.”

Last year, the state government enacted HB600 which set current state law as the ceiling for employment discrimination for all local governments. The sponsor and supporters of the bill claimed the new state law merely provided a uniform set of statewide standards for workplace protections. HB600 made no explicit reference to sexual orientation or gender identity. But HB600 was introduced in direct response to a Nashville ordinance protecting the employees of local government contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Don’t say gay” became a defining label for Sen. Campfield’s anti-gay bill many years ago and has evolved into an adopted motto and tactic of the state legislature. The House Education Committee has a chance to redefine the anti-LGBT reputation of state government.

Tennessee Equality Project calls on the House Education Committee to memorialize the words of Rep. Dunn by adding a new amendment to HB0229. Amend the bill to explicitly state that:

Nothing in Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-6-1005 shall prohibit any person in public elementary, junior high or high schools from confronting bullying, intimidation or harassment of students based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The above amendment will send a clear message that state lawmakers care for all students in Tennessee. Without such an amendment, Rep. Dunn’s assurances mean nothing. In its current form, passage of HB0229  will mean House leadership has turned a deaf ear toward those young students calling for help who endure years of anti-gay bullying. If HB0229 advances in its current form, the House Education Committee will confirm its animus toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Tennessee.

For more information contact:
Jonathan Cole | Tennessee Equality Project | jonathan@tnequalityproject.com | 615-669-8057

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Inspiring letter from a Tennessee teacher

A teacher from rural Tennessee recently sent this letter to Tennessee Equality Project. His dedication to educating students and confronting bullying in his school inspires us to keep up the fight for safe schools and equality in our state:
I am a high school teacher in a small Tennessee town. I signed this petition because it is so important for our glbtq youth and it is important to me on a personal level as well. I am a gay educator and have been discriminated against in several positions where I did not get tenured as a teacher. Its hard to prove of course because a bigoted administration, or central office staff will not admit discriminating in writing, but I know it has happened to me. I believe many students at my high school think I am gay already and my administration knows that I have attended safe schools workshops in Alabama and South Florida to advocate for our glbtq youth.So far, nothing has ever been said to me by any administrator, or staff. The school has had four Spanish teachers in the last four years so maybe this time I have job security even though its not my ideal town to live and teach in. However, I am thankful that I have a job. We do have several students that I believe are glbtq. So hopefully they know that I am a support system and role model for them.  
Well, I appreciate your time reading my message. I hope this bill does not pass because I let my students know in high school not to make fun, or bully any students that may be glbtq, or perceived as glbtq as well as not to make fun of any student regardless of one's background, or appearance. I do my job, relate well to my students, and make sure its a safe learning environment.

Will you help this teacher continue his good work with students in Tennessee? 


Please sign TEP's petition against the "Don't Say G_y" bill and participate in our phone campaign to the House Education Committee before Tuesday at 12 Noon. Then invite your friends to do the same. 

- Jonathan Cole

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Phone Campaign to Defeat the Don't Say G_y bill (HB229)

The "Don't Say G_y" bill (HB0229) is headed to the House Education Committee agenda on Tuesday, February 28. If you live in or near a House District  represented on this committee, take action in Tennessee Equality Project's phone campaign to defeat the Don't Say G_y bill. Call your Representative today!


Verify your House District and Representative at this link.

Use the following script and find the phone number for your Representative below:

Hello, my name is _____. I live at    (your address)  . I agree with Governor Bill Haslam that it's time to lay aside the Don't Say Gay bill. Tell Rep. _______ to call for the withdrawal of  HB0229. Thank you.
After you've delivered your phone message, recruit at least three friends or family members to make the same call from your district. 

Can Tennessee students depend on you to keep them safe? Act today!


Committee Member District (615)
Brooks, Harry (R) 19  741-6879
Brooks, Kevin (R) 24  741-1350
Carr, Joe (R) 48  741-2180
DeBerry, John J., Jr. (D) 90  741-2239
DeBerry, Lois M. (D) 91  741-3830
Dunn, Bill (R) 16  741-1721
Fitzhugh, Craig (D) 82  741-2134
Forgety, John (R) 23  741-1725
Hensley, Joey (R) 70  741-7476
Lollar, Ron (R) 99  741-7084
Maggart, Debra Young (R) 45 741-3893
Montgomery, Richard (R) 12  741-5981
Naifeh, Jimmy (D) 81 741-3774
Pitts, Joe (D) 67 741-2043
Powers, Dennis (R) 36  741-3335
Ragan, John (R) 33  741-4400
Williams, Ryan (R) 42  741-1875
Windle, John Mark (D) 41  741-1260

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Don't Say G_y bill passes to House Education Committee

Rep. Joey Hensley is the sponsor of the "Don't Say G_y" bill (HB0229).
The House Education Subcommitee voted in favor of an amended version of the "Don't Say G_y" bill (HB0229). The bill now heads to the House Education Committee.

Despite warnings of the message such a bill sends to students in Tennessee public schools, the subcommittee voted to silence a teacher's ability to have age-appropriate discussions with K-8 students when that discussion falls outside "natural human reproduction science." Even in its amended form, HB0229 and SB0049  marginalizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning students or their families.

During the hearing, Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) stated the amended version of the bill is in line with current curriculum and is consistent with what is already written in Title 49 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. If that is the case, then why would anyone advance this divisive legislation?

Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) said it best: this bill does not improve education and is a solution in search of a problem. It is unnecessary and has the potential to do harm. 

If you live in the district of a member of the House Education Committee, we encourage you to urge them to vote no on this bill. Click here to send a message to the full committee.

- Jonathan Cole

Monday, February 13, 2012

TEP Bill Tracking 2012 Calendar Report


Tennessee Equality Project is actively tracking the following legislation in the second session of the 107th  Tennessee General Assembly. These bills are on notice in House and Senate committees this week.









12:00pm - LP 16 - House Education Committee   02/14/12

4.
HB2414
Rep. B. Gilmore (D)
Health Care: Aids studies for public outreach and education. Requires the office of research and accountability to study AIDS prevention curricula implemented by LEAs. Requires the department of health to study AIDS prevention curricula that has been implemented in other states to determine if the programs are meritorious and effective.
SB2506 - Sen. B. Marrero (D) - 01/19/2012 - Referred to Senate Education.
Senate Status: 01/19/2012 - Referred to Senate Education.
House Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 02/14/12.
6.
HB2548
Rep. M. Hill (R)
Education: Student participation in extracurricular activities. Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians, by way of student handbook or policy guidebook, of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school. Gives parents the opportunity to prohibit their child from participating in such clubs or organizations by tendering a written communication to the school.
SB2488 - Sen. D. Gresham (R) - 02/09/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/15/12.
Senate Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/15/12.
House Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 02/14/12.

Senate Education Committee   02/15/12 - 8:30am - LP 12

7.
SB2488
Sen. D. Gresham (R)
Education: Student participation in extracurricular activities. Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians, by way of student handbook or policy guidebook, of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school. Gives parents the opportunity to prohibit their child from participating in such clubs or organizations by tendering a written communication to the school.
HB2548 - Rep. M. Hill (R) - 02/09/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 02/14/12.
Senate Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/15/12.
House Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 02/14/12.
10.
SB3116
Sen. D. Gresham (R)
Education: Relocation of students for safety reasons. Requires local boards of education to adopt policies concerning a teacher's ability to relocate a student for the safety of the student and the safety of others. Authorizes the use of reasonable or justifiable force to move an uncooperative student. Requires policies to address altercations between students or between students and LEA employees. Specifies that such policies will be effective on school property and at official school functions, including those not held on regular school property.
HB3241 - Rep. H. Brooks (R) - 02/01/2012 - Referred to House General Subcommittee of Education.
Senate Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/15/12.
House Status: 02/01/2012 - Referred to House General Subcommittee of Education.
14.
HB432
Rep. M. Hill (R)
Education: Student participation in extracurricular activities. Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school by displaying such information in the student handbooks or policy guidebooks. Prohibits a school from allowing a student to become a member or participate in any activities of a club or organization if the parent or legal guardian of such student has tendered a written communication prohibiting such student from such membership or participation.
SB426 - Sen. S. Campfield (R) - 02/09/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/15/12.
Senate Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/15/12.
House Status: 05/09/2011 - House passed.

House General Subcommittee of Education   02/15/12 - 3:30pm - LP 29

3.
HB3266
Rep. P. Johnson (R)
Education: Protection of first amendment rights in schools. Prohibits local education agencies, administrative personnel, and instructional personnel from taking affirmative action, including entering into an agreement that infringes upon or waives the rights or freedoms afforded to school personnel and students under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, without the written consent of the impacted individuals.
SB3060 - Sen. J. Summerville (R) - 01/30/2012 - Referred to Senate Education.
Senate Status: 01/30/2012 - Referred to Senate Education.
House Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Education 02/15/12.
4.
HB229
Rep. J. Hensley (R)
Education: Teaching of sexuality in elementary and middle schools. Prohibits a public elementary school or middle school from the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality.
SB49 - Sen. S. Campfield (R) - 05/20/2011 - Senate passed with amendment 5.
Senate Status: 05/20/2011 - Senate passed with amendment 5.
House Status: 02/09/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Education 02/15/12.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Several anti-LGBT education bills rolled until next week

Wednesday was a busy day for education legislation that affects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning students and their families in Tennessee in the State House Subcommittee on Education and the Senate Education Committee. The following anti-LGBT bills were rolled until next week:
  • HB0229 ("Don't Say G_y" bill): Placed on s/c cal Education Subcommittee for 2/15/2012
  • HB3266 ("Teacher, Don't Preach" bill) Placed on s/c cal Education Subcommittee for 2/15/2012
  • SB0426 (Anti-GSA bill) Placed on S. Ed. Comm. cal. for 2/15/2012. 
While it's preferable to see anti-LGBT legislation voted down, keeping bad bills from advancing out of committee for another week is also a welcomed outcome.

The power of purple people demonstrated on Feb. 8th at the
House Education Subcommittee. Plaza security counted 250 people
who came to attend the hearing. (Photo from Shayne Wesley Bilbrey)
An acceptable education bill advanced in the House yesterday. The House Education Subcommittee voted in favor of a pro-parenting school club bill (HB2548 advances to the House Education Committee calendar scheduled for 2/14/2012). The important thing to note here is that HB2548 (sponsored by Rep. Matthew Hill) and SB2488 (sponsored by Sen. Gresham) are better school club bills than the amended version of Sen. Stacey Campfield's SB0426. Campfield is apparently trying to reinsert an anti-Gay Straight Alliance provision into law that requires parents to "opt-in" students for every school club. TEP supports the "opt-out" version of the bill (HB2548/SB2488). An opt-in bill may compel students to come out to parents before they are ready to do so.

TEP encourages everyone to return to the House Education Subcommittee meeting on Feb. 15, 2012 at 3:30 pm to demonstrate the power of purple.