Come see The Miracles on Honey Bee Hill

TEP invites you attend a FIRST LOOK screening of the new short film, The Miracles on Honey Bee Hill. We've partnered with the film's writer and director, Dr. Bob Pondillo, to help distribute this imagination catching film that spreads a story of love, kindness, and acceptance.  


The film addresses an important issue facing our nation--marriage equality.  As part of MTSU's "SpringOut" festivities, MT/Lambda invites everyone to the screening to be held in the Business and Aerospace Building, State Farm Room, at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 29, on the MTSU campus.  Writer/director (and MTSU Professor) Bob Pondillo will be on hand to visit and answer questions afterwards.  The screening is free and open to the public.

Bills we'll be watching in committees this week

Tennessee Equality Project is hard at work monitoring legislation that may affect LGBT and their families in Tennessee. Here's a schedule of bills we'll be watching closely for the week that begins March 25, 2012:

Tuesday 8:00am - LP 16 - House Calendar and Rules Committee

MEMBERS: Chair Rep. B. Dunn (R), Vice Chair Rep. D. Roach (R), Secretary Rep. S. McDaniel (R), Rep. H. Brooks (R), Rep. G. Casada (R), Rep. J. Cobb (R), Rep. J. Eldridge (R), Rep. C. Fitzhugh (D), Rep. B. Harwell (R), Rep. D. Hawk (R), Rep. R. Haynes (R), Rep. P. Johnson (R), Rep. D. Maggart (R), Rep. J. Matheny (R), Rep. G. McCormick (R), Rep. S. McManus (R), Rep. R. Montgomery (R), Rep. J. Naifeh (D), Rep. F. Niceley (R), Rep. B. Ramsey (R), Rep. C. Sargent (R), Rep. C. Sexton (R), Rep. J. Towns Jr. (D), Rep. M. Turner (D), Rep. E. Watson (R)

15.

HB2641 Rep. C. Curtiss (D)

Criminal Law: Images used to harass and bully. SB2556 - Sen. B. Ketron (R) - 01/23/2012 - Referred to Senate Judiciary. Senate Status: 01/23/2012 - Referred to Senate Judiciary. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House Calendar & Rules Committee 03/27/12.

Tuesday 10:30am - LP 12 - Senate State and Local Government Committee

Item 76 was added on the floor. MEMBERS: Chair Sen. K. Yager (R), Vice Chair Sen. J. Johnson (R), Secretary Sen. L. Finney (D), Sen. S. Campfield (R), Sen. M. Faulk (R), Sen. T. Harper (D), Sen. J. Haynes (D), Sen. B. Ketron (R), Sen. M. Norris (R)

43.	SB2725 Sen. J. Summerville (R)	Government Regulation: Tennessee Civil Rights Initiative Act. HB3065 - Rep. J. Ragan (R) - 03/07/2012 - Taken off notice in House General Subcommittee of State & Local Government. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/27/12. House Status: 03/07/2012 - Taken off notice in House General Subcommittee of State & Local Government.
54.	SB2762 Sen. J. Kyle Jr. (D)	Commercial Law: Repeals Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act. HB2908 - Rep. B. Gilmore (D) - None Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/27/12. House Status: None

Tuesday 12:00pm - LP 16 - House Education Committee

MEMBERS: Chair Rep. R. Montgomery (R), Vice Chair Rep. J. Hensley (R), Secretary Rep. J. Carr (R), Rep. H. Brooks (R), Rep. K. Brooks (R), Rep. L. DeBerry (D), Rep. J. Deberry Jr. (D), Rep. B. Dunn (R), Rep. C. Fitzhugh (D), Rep. J. Forgety (R), Rep. R. Lollar (R), Rep. D. Maggart (R), Rep. J. Naifeh (D), Rep. J. Pitts (D), Rep. D. Powers (R), Rep. J. Ragan (R), Rep. R. Williams (R), Rep. J. Windle (D)

3.	HB3616 Rep. A. Holt (R)	Miscellaneous: The Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act. SB3632 - Sen. K. Roberts (R) - 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12.
14.	HB3621 Rep. J. Gotto (R)	Education: Abstinence centered sex education. SB3310 - Sen. J. Johnson (R) - 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12.
16.	HB3576 Rep. M. Pody (R)	Education: Religious student organizations in higher education. SB3597 - Sen. M. Beavers (R) - 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12.

Tuesday 1:30pm - LP 16 - House State and Local Government Committee

MEMBERS: Chair Rep. B. Ramsey (R), Vice Chair Rep. R. Haynes (R), Rep. T. Brown (D), Rep. J. Cobb (R), Rep. V. Dean (R), Rep. B. Dunn (R), Rep. J. Evans (R), Rep. J. Gotto (R), Rep. G. McCormick (R), Rep. L. Miller (D), Rep. A. Parkinson (D), Rep. M. Pruitt (D), Rep. H. Tindell (D), Rep. C. Todd (R), Rep. M. Turner (D), Rep. E. Watson (R), Rep. K. Williams (I)

5.

HB3699 Rep. J. Matheny (R)

Government Organization: Corrects references to abolished oversight committees. SB2784 - Sen. B. Watson (R) - 02/23/2012 - Senate passed with amendment 1. Senate Status: 02/23/2012 - Senate passed with amendment 1. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House State & Local Government Committee 03/27/12.

Wednesday 8:30am - LP 12 - Senate Education Committee

Final Calendar. Committee will continue at 3:00pm. IF NEEDED. MEMBERS: Chair Sen. D. Gresham (R), Vice Chair Sen. R. Tate (D), Secretary Sen. B. Kelsey (R), Sen. A. Berke (D), Sen. C. Burks (D), Sen. S. Campfield (R), Sen. R. Crowe (R), Sen. J. Summerville (R), Sen. J. Tracy (R)

2.	SB3632 Sen. K. Roberts (R)	Miscellaneous : The Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act. HB3616 - Rep. A. Holt (R) - 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12.
31.	SB3597 Sen. M. Beavers (R)	Education: Religious student organizations in higher education. HB3576 - Rep. M. Pody (R) - 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12.
39.	SB3310 Sen. J. Johnson (R)	Education: Abstinence centered sex education. HB3621 - Rep. J. Gotto (R) - 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/27/12.
60.	SB3606 Sen. J. Haynes (D)	Education: Partnerships between LEAs and parents. HB3505 - Rep. B. Gilmore (D) - 03/19/2012 - House passed with amendment 1. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 03/19/2012 - House passed with amendment 1.
61.	SB3709 Sen. J. Haynes (D)	Education: Urging the teaching of the state symbols. HB3729 - Rep. B. Gilmore (D) - 02/01/2012 - Referred to House Education. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 02/01/2012 - Referred to House Education.
62.	SB3393 Sen. J. Summerville (R)	Education: Prohibiting harassment and bullying on or off school ground. HB3788 - Rep. V. Dennis (R) - 02/02/2012 - Referred to House Education. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 02/02/2012 - Referred to House Education.
68.	HB432 Rep. M. Hill (R)	Education: Student participation in extracurricular activities. SB426 - Sen. S. Campfield (R) - 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. Senate Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/28/12. House Status: 05/09/2011 - House passed.

Wednesday 12:00pm - LP 31 - House General Subcommittee of Judiciary

Note subcommittee will meet at 3:30pm to continue the calendar. MEMBERS: Chair Rep. J. Coley (R), Vice Chair Rep. V. Dennis (R), Rep. E. Bass (D), Rep. K. Camper (D), Rep. J. Lundberg (R), Rep. J. Matheny (R), Rep. B. Rich (R), Rep. J. Sontany (D), Rep. E. Watson (R)

3.

HB188 Rep. J. Richardson (D)

Criminal Law: Sentence enhancements when gender identity motivates crime. SB314 - Sen. B. Marrero (D) - 02/09/2011 - Referred to Senate Judiciary. Senate Status: 02/09/2011 - Referred to Senate Judiciary. House Status: 03/22/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Judiciary 03/28/12.

Sumner County residents present 3 anti-bullying proposals to School Board

Contact:  Kelly Fussman                                                                                PRESS RELEASE

Cell Phone: 615/513-4028                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

E-mail: kellyfussman@yahoo.com

SUMNER COUNTY CITIZENS MAKE 3 ANTI-BULLYING

PROPOSALS TO BOARD OF EDUCATION

March 19, 2012

Hendersonville, TN—On March 15, Sumner County residents delivered three anti-bullying proposals for consideration by the Sumner County Board of Education at its March meeting.  The proposals resulted from ongoing discussions of bullying by Sumner County residents and youth and equality advocates from Nashville after a series of youth suicides over the past three months.

Two of the proposals acknowledge steps taken by Sumner County Schools to address bullying, including efforts to provide teacher trainings.  In the first proposal, Dr. Ryan Footit of Hendersonville recommends that Sumner 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, Helenmary Hendrix of Gallatin proposes 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 Kelly Fussman of Hendersonville 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 Sumner County Board of Education’s policy process.

 

The next meeting of the Sumner County Board of Education is March 27.

# # #

Thanks to supporters of TEP's Day on the Hill in Nashville

Tennessee Equality Project is grateful to the following organizations and businesses

who supported the 8th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill.

Please support them!

 OutCentral - Nashville's GLBTQIF Cultural Center

 

 Nashville in Harmony

Canvas Lounge

The Rymer Gallery

Good news from George Takei

Many thanks to a local reporter in Memphis for sharing the following response from George Takei's publicist. From the response, it appears that Mr. Karns is difficult to contact.

From: Michael Karns
Date: March 9, 2012 10:32:56 AM CST
To: Jared Burrow
Subject: Re: "It's OK to Be Takei" Press Question

Hi Jared,

George Takei donates 100% of his profits from all merchandise sales to his favorite charities at different levels, including The Human Rights Campaign, The Japanese American National Museum, and the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.  Thanks for your question!  May I ask how you received my email address? Just out of curiosity.

Best,
Michael Karns

On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 7:27 AM, Jared Burrow  wrote:
Greetings.
My name is Jared Burrow.
I am currently working on an article about the various anti-LGBT practices in Tennessee.  While doing so, I discovered George Takei's video directed towards Tennessee lawmakers.
In the video, Takei states that proceeds from his "It's OK to Be Takei" merchandise would go to charity, however he fails to mention which charity.
For the purpose of my article, I would like to request information as to which charities these proceeds are going to.
Thank you,
Jared Burrow

We're glad to see the mystery solved. The Human Rights Campaign frequently partners with Tennessee Equality Project in our work here in Tennessee. HRC regularly promotes equality advocacy in Tennessee through support of TEP's Advancing Equality Day on the Hill (which is next Tuesday) and petitions against anti-LGBT legislation in Tennessee like the Don't Say Gay bill. TEP is a grateful recipient of past HRC grants for our local lobbying work.

So it does appear that George Takei has plotted a course toward equality. To which we say: WARP SPEED AHEAD!

Is George Takei plotting a course for equality?

I've had enough. Has anyone bothered to ask if the proceeds from It's okay to be Takei sales of t-shirts and other merchandise are being used to fight against the Don't Say Gay and other anti-LGBT bills in Tennessee?

Tennessee Lawmakers: We Need To Chat from Allegiance - A New Musical on Vimeo.

I wrote Takei's organization on January 12, 2012 before the above video was released:  

Dear Mr. Takei, I am a lifelong fan of your work. As a gay man, I was inspired by the ideals expressed in the Star Trek series. When I learned you were gay, it enriched that experience to Warp 10 for me. I am serving my third year on the board of the Tennessee Equality Project. My organization has fought against the Don't Say Gay bill for six LONG years. It's the bill that seems to never die. TEP is the boots on the ground here in Tennessee fighting this onerous bill. I am thrilled to hear that you've lent your name to fighting against this bill, but I am curious: to which charities are you forwarding the proceeds of your sales? Are you reinvesting those donations in TN to fight the anti-LGBT legislature in Tennessee? Since Tennessee Equality Project is the lead organization in fighting the Don't Say Gay bill in Tennessee, I've wondered when we might hear from you or your organization. We at TEP would love to help you put proceeds of your work to good use at the source of the problem --- right here in Tennessee. I'd love to talk more about this with you. Perhaps, we can both plot a course for equality here in Tennessee. Best regards, Jonathan Cole, President and Chair | Tennessee Equality Project | tnep.org | grand-divisions.blogspot.com | 615-669-8057 

As a fan of Star Trek and George Takei, it's hard for me to accept that Takei is profiteering off the misfortune and tragedy that is our state legislature and at the expense of kids in Tennessee.

No need to set phasers on stun. I am already there. 


UPDATE: The It's Okay to Be Takei merchandise website appears to indicate that proceeds go to a theater in San Diego, California: http://www.allegiancemusical.com/blog-entry/are-you-takei-merch-anary. I'm not aware of the Old Globe theater engaging in the fight for equality and safe schools in Tennessee.

- Jonathan Cole

Cheatham County Board of Ed buries head in sand when it comes to bullying

The Cheatham County Board of Education ignored the group of citizens that TEP has been assisting for as long as they could.  These citizens are advocating proposals to bring more accountability and inclusiveness to their school district.  Matters came to a head yesterday.

Here's how it went down:

1.  The Director of Schools admitted that the citizens had followed the correct procedures outlined in Board policy in order to get an item on the agenda, but that they didn't have to put it on there if they didn't want to, according the Tennessean.  So basically the board chair (an elected person) and the director of schools (an unelected person) get to decide what is on the agenda every month.  In other words, the procedure outlined in board policy means nothing. 

2.  So the citizens went to the Board meeting, filled out green pieces of paper to get on the list to speak during the public forum.  And so they did.  You may need to turn up the volume in order to hear these speeches:

-First was Kaelynn Malugin from Ashland City, who was advocating adding "gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation to the district's anti-bullying/anti-discrimination policy:

-Second was Jeremy Rogers from Ashland City who talked about the importance of measuring the effectiveness of the existing anti-bullying policy.  Jeremy talked about his experience as a student who was bullied for being gay and he called on the Board to issue a monthly report on incidents:

Third was Mary Ann Bernicky of Pegram, who called for more information about how teachers have been trained in anti-bullying measures:

3.  After the citizens had spoken, Cheatham County Board of Education attorney Larry Woods got up and defended the existing policy as being in compliance.  TEP responded that compliance means they're doing just enough to get by and that if they thought the policy already covered gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students, then they shouldn't be afraid to put it in writing.

WSMV has the video on those opposing takes on the policy here.

TEP will continue to work with citizens of Cheatham County to advance safe schools proposals.  Those efforts may include involvement in this year's School Board elections.  Three seats are up this August! 

 

 

TEP Tracking Report for the week of Mar. 5, 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 in next few weeks. 

SB49 / HB229 Teaching of sexuality in elementary and middle schools.  DON’T SAY GAY BILL

Category	Education
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	02/28/2012 - House Education deferred to 03/13/2012.

SB313 / HB187 Birth certificate changes upon sworn statement.   

Category	Health Care
Sponsors	Sen. Beverly Marrero / Rep. Jeanne Richardson
Description	Allows a person's birth certificate to be changed to reflect a change of that person's gender upon a sworn statement by a certain medical or mental health professional.
Senate Status	02/09/2011 - Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status	03/01/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Health & Human Resources 03/06/12.

SB314 / HB188 Sentence enhancements when gender identity motivates crime. 

Category	Criminal Law
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	03/01/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Judiciary 03/07/12.

SB426 / HB432 Student participation in extracurricular activities. 

Category	Education
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	03/01/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/07/12.
House Status	05/09/2011 - House passed.

SB2488 / HB2548 Student participation in extracurricular activities.  

Category	Education
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	03/01/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/07/12.
House Status	02/14/2012 - House Education recommended. Sent to Calendar & Rules.

SB2506 / HB2414 Aids studies for public outreach and education.  

Category	Health Care
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	03/01/2012 - Senate passed.
House Status	02/23/2012 - House passed with amendment 1 (01289562), which replaces the word, "AIDS," with "HIV/AIDS."
Executive Status	03/01/2012 - Sent to the speakers for signatures.

SB2725 / HB3065 Tennessee Civil Rights Initiative Act.  

Category	Government Regulation
Sponsors	Sen. Jim Summerville / Rep. John Ragan
Description	Enacts "Tennessee Civil Rights Initiative Act." Prohibits the state, including all entities of the state that derive authority from the state, from discriminating or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group based on sex, race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of all aspects of public employment, education, or contracting.
Senate Status	02/21/2012 - Failed in Senate State & Local Government.
House Status	03/01/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of State & Local Government 03/07/12.

SB2762 / HB2908 Repeals Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act.  

Category	Commercial Law
Sponsors	Sen. James F. Kyle Jr. / Rep. Brenda Gilmore
Description	Repeals the "Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act (PC 0278)," which defines "sex," for the purposes of the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA), as the designation of an individual as male or female as indicated on the individual's birth certificate. Prohibits local governments from imposing an anti-discrimination policy that changes the definition of discriminatory practices contained in the THRA or other types of discrimination prohibited by state law.
Senate Status	03/01/2012 - Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 03/06/12.
House Status	None

SB3060 / HB3266 Protection of first amendment rights in schools.  

Category	Education
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	03/01/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 03/07/12.
House Status	03/01/2012 - House passed with amendment 1. House amendment 1 (01304262) rewrites the bill so that LEAs and school administrators may not prohibit personnel from participating in religious activities on school grounds that are initiated by students at reasonable times before or after the instructional day so long as such activities are voluntary for all parties and do not conflict with the responsibilities or assignments of such personnel.

SB3116 / HB3241 Relocation of students for safety reasons.  

Category	Education
Sponsors	Sen. Dolores R. Gresham / Rep. Harry Brooks
Description	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.
Senate Status	03/01/2012 - Senate passed.
House Status	03/01/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 03/06/12.

SB3606 / HB3505 Partnerships between LEAs and parents.   

Category	Education
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.

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	03/01/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 03/06/12.
House Status	03/01/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Finance 03/07/12.