8th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill

Make your voice heard in 

Nashville on March 13

Join fellow advocates from all parts of Tennessee as they converge on the State Capitol and Legislative Plaza to meet with their elected officials for the 8th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill.

Use these easy-to-follow instructions to make your appointments with your State Senator and Representative.

Safe schools, workplace equality continue to be areas of policy concern for LGBT people and their allies in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly.

Making your appointments is easy 

The first step is knowing who to call. If you can't name your State Representative or Senator, it's easy to find out who they are. Enter your address at this link to confirm who you need to contact.

When you know who to contact, click on their name on the General Assembly's website to find their phone number. Call the legislative assistant for your State Representative and Senator. Tell him or her you are attending the 8th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill and you want to meet with your representative. Your representatives may not know their schedule for March 13. That's okay. The legislative assistant may make a tentative appointment for you that will have to be confirmed or ask you to call back closer to the date.

When you make your appointment, please share that information with Tennessee Equality Project at this LINK. We want to know your are coming to Legislative Plaza!

An important reminder: this is the last year that we'll base our contacts with lawmakers on the old district lines for House and Senate. But you are welcome to introduce yourself to lawmakers that may run for your new district in 2012.

Need a place to stay in Nashville? 

Call Tiffany at 615-321-8259 at the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt at 2613 West End Avenue Nashville, TN 37203 Ask for the "Association Rate" of $114/night.

Click this link for a list of other hotels in the Downtown area near the State Capitol.

MARCH 12 EVENTS

Advocacy 101

TEP is planning a series of events to prepare you for a fun and engaging experience on Capitol Hill in Nashville. On Monday, March 12 at 4 pm, attend TEP Foundation's Advocacy 101 to learn more about the best practices for policy advocacy with state lawmakers. The presentation will be followed by a legislative briefing from representatives of TEP and the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition. This training has been relocated to OutCentral at at 1709 Church Street, Nashville TN 37203.

Rally for Equality 

Immediately following Advocacy 101 at 5:30 pm on March 12, TEP invites equality advocates to join us outside the War Memorial Building Plaza  in Downtown Nashville for a Rally for Equality.

Nashville in Harmony will energize us with songs specifically prepared for this event!

We'll also hear from pro-equality lawmakers and leaders from our community.

Reception at Canvas Lounge

Join us after the rally from 6:30 to 9 pm on Monday, March 12 for a reception welcoming advocates from across the state at Canvas Lounge at 1707 Church Street in Nashville.

MARCH 13 EVENTS

Breakfast Briefing at the Rymer Gallery

Tennessee Equality Project invites you to join us for a light breakfast at the Rymer Gallery from 8 - 9 am on Tuesday, March 13. You'll receive up to date appointment schedules and a report on legislative activity important to LGBT people and their families. We'll provide some talking points on major bills of interest. Then we'll walk a few short blocks to Legislative Plaza for our appointments with lawmakers.

Appointments with Lawmakers

Most advocates on Capitol Hill will meet with the lawmakers between 9 am to 4 pm on March 13. TEP encourages you invite others from within and outside your district to go with you to your appointments. Please give speaking priority to constituents attending meetings with lawmakers. There may also be committee hearings you may also attend on bills of interest to the LGBT community and their allies. When you complete your appointments, please check in at the TEP table set up in the hallway of Legislative Plaza. We want to know what you learned from lawmakers. Take a break for lunch in Legislative Plaza's cafeteria or visit any of the cafes and restaurants in Downtown Nashville.