Upper Cumberland Pride brings celebratory end to the 107th Tennessee General Assembly

"Your eyes don't deceive you. That's a pride celebration in Cookeville, TN with lots of people." said  Nashville Committee Chair Chris Sanders who reposted this picture on Facebook on Saturday. At least one observer from Cookeville beleieved that as many as 1000 people attended the event over the course of the day. 

The Upper Cumberland Committee provided an absolutely amazing LGBT Pride celebration in Cookeville, Tennessee on Saturday - a perfect end to a week of victories and positive news for LGBT people, their families and their allies in Tennessee. Upper Cumberland Pride which was sponsored by TEP Foundation also brought an inspiring end to the legislative session. Traveling back and forth on the road to Cookeville from my home in Memphis gave me some time to reflect on Tennessee Equality Project's efforts to advance and protect the rights of LGBT people and their families in state government. I'm pleased to share that with few exceptions we've done well for Tennessee during the last 5 months of the legislative session

Several members of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly promoted legislation with a far-right social agenda that attacked LGBT people and contradicted conservative ideals of smaller government. Much of that legislation focused "below the belt."

Police the Potty Bill Flushed!

The session began with the "Police the Potty" bill (HB2279) which would have criminalized the use of public restrooms and dressing rooms by transgender people. Rep. Richard Floyd threatened to "stomp a mudhole" through any transgender person he found in a restroom. Public pressure compelled the Senate sponsor to withdraw his version of the bill (SB2282). I can’t remember a lawmaker having this much concern about what’s happening in the stall next to him since Idaho Senator Larry Craig’s infamous troubles in a Minneapolis Airport men’s room. Tennessee Equality Project quickly responded against this bill along with Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition and other allies. No other Senator was willing to file a companion bill, so the legislation could not advance. The death of this bill was our first victory of the session but other lawmakers continued to obsess over what happens below the belt until the end of the session.

It's Still Okay to Say GAY! in Tennessee

Two bills with a rather prurient interest in sex education in public schools advanced this session, but only one passed both houses of the legislature. The "No Hand Holding" bill (HB3621/SB3310) which prohibited the teaching of something called "gateway sexual activity" in public education sought to leave Tennessee's youth with no information about how to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases should they become sexually active. By shifting the emphasis of sex education to "abstinence only," students and parents will now have to go outside public schools for accurate information about vital, life-saving strategies for good health. Tennessee parents deserve more sex education options to choose from in public schools for their children. While the "No Hand Holding" bill became law, other efforts to redefine sex education failed. 

Stacey Campfield's "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB0229/SB0049) passed in the Senate last year and re-appeared on the agenda in the State House this year. In its amended form, the bill would have banned "classroom instruction, course materials or other informational resources that are inconsistent with natural human reproduction" in grades K-8. Tennessee Equality Project fought hard against this bill with a multi-pronged approach that included professional lobbying, mass media, and YouTube videos made by students, parents and educators, visits with lawmakers, attendance at House committee hearings, phone calls, emails, and letters. Our lobbying strategy significantly reduced lawmakers' desire to vote on this bill. But they were also affected, as we all were, by the news of two gay students in Tennessee who completed suicided after enduring anti-gay bullying in school. Many conservative lawmakers began to realize that marginalizing LGBT students with anti-gay and anti-trans legislation would only increase the incidence of bullying in public schools. 

Despite opposition from Governor Bill Haslam, House Speaker Beth Harwell and other House leadership, Rep. Joey Hensley (HB0229's sponsor) continued to push his bill forward in the House. HB0229 advanced with close margins in the House Education Subcommittee and House Education Committee before landing in the House Calendar and Rules Committee. Lawmakers who wanted no part in voting on this legislation never scheduled HB0229 for a floor vote before the House of Representatives adjourned for the year. This victory was hard to win and would not have been possible without the efforts of people like you.

Special Rights for Bullies Defeated!

Many of our supporters will recall the  "License to Bully" bill that appeared early in the session with the full backing of Family Action Council of Tennessee. David Fowler sought to write special protections into state law for students who harassed, intimidated or bullied fellow students based on their "expression of religious, philosophical, or political views." Early in the session, Tennessee Equality Project observed that lawmakers were attempting to place students in double jeopardy with the License to Bully and Don't Say Gay bills. "Students with an anti-gay bias would be free and encouraged to bully LGBTQ students, and teachers and other school staff would be prohibited from speaking about the issue."  The same TEP lobbying strategy used against the Don't Say Gay bill helped keep the License to Bully bill from advancing in the legislature.  Another victory for safe schools and equality in Tennessee!

Gay-Straight Alliances are Here to Stay in Tennessee

Tennessee Equality Project can also declare a victory in protecting the status of Gay-Straight Alliances in public schools throughout the state. In a past legislative session, Sen. Stacey Campfield targeted GSAs by introducing a bill requiring all students to obtain permission to participate in school clubs and activities. The bill would have placed many LGBT or questioning students at risk by forcing them to "come out" to their parents before participating in their school's Gay-Straight Alliance. Schools faced a potential nightmare in trying to manage all the permission slips for students participating in Spanish Club, the Thespian Society, the football team, cheer leading squad. etc. Tennessee Equality Project intervened by persuading the House sponsor to amend the language of the bill (HB2548/SB2488). Rather than require parents to "opt in" their children for school activities and clubs, the bill would give parents the opportunity to "opt out" their children from participating in school activities and clubs. The bill which passed into law essentially maintains the status quo by reinforcing the right of parents to balance their children's extracurricular activities with academic achievement.

Governor Bill Haslam Stands Up to Bullies in His Own Party

We can declare another victory with an education bill vetoed by Governor Bill Haslam. Your calls to the Governor helped give him the extra push he needed. The Governor announced last Wednesday that he would veto the "Anti-All Comers" bill that targeted Vanderbilt University's inclusive non-discrimination policy:

Although I disagree with Vanderbilt’s policy, as someone who strongly believes in limited government, I think it is inappropriate for government to mandate the policies of a private institution.

Supporters of the bill feared that Christian student organizations might elect someone into a leadership position who didn't hold the same beliefs as their group (e.g., LGBT people, Muslims, Jews, atheists, etc.). In reality, Haslam had to veto the amended form of HB3576/SB3597. Last year, he signed HB600/SB632 into law which forbade local governments from enacting laws which extended nondiscrimination provisions to private businesses that exceeded protections defined in state or federal law. The bill overturned a Nashville ordinance protecting LGBT employees of private contractors doing business with local government. Signing HB3576/SB3597 into law would have been a clear argument that Tennessee State Government was not concerned with preventing government interference in private business. Haslam really had no choice but to veto this bill in order to maintain the facade that the his party is the protector of private business' ability to make their own policies.

While Haslam can claim a consistent political philosophy, David Fowler and the Family Action Council of Tennessee cannot. Isn't it interesting that Family Action Council of Tennessee pushed the state legislature to enact HB600/SB632 with a pro-business argument, but pushed HB3576/SB3597 with a pro-religious arguments? With these two bills and the License to Bully bill (HB2548/SB2488), FACT tried to create special rights to discriminate against LGBT for people of faith. We can expect FACT to keep trying this "pro-business" approach in the 108th Tennessee General Assembly.

Knoxville Sends a Clear Message to Stacey Campfield

The prize for most inspiring good news last week goes to the City of Knoxville for enacting an ordinance protecting city employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or disability (characteristics missing from the previous law on the books). Senator Stacey Campfield can't get a break. His Don't Say Gay bill lost, he can't find a restaurant that will serve him in his home town, and he won't find anyone in Knoxville City Government who agrees with his bigotry toward LGBT people (The Knoxville City Council enacted the nondiscrimination ordinance with a unanimous vote). Time to take a hint Senator.

Tennesseans Value Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The movement for equality and inclusion of LGBT people and their families is gaining ground in Tennessee. It's hard to realize sometimes when you consider the forces of opposition inside and outside our current government. I am persuaded that Tennesseans in the not-so-distant future will look back on the 107th General Assembly and shake their heads in wonderment. "What were they thinking?" they'll ask.

I am confident in my optimism after attending last Saturday's pride event in Cookeville.  Knowing the organizers of the Upper Cumberland Committee as I do, I fully expected to see a good turnout at Dogwood Park for Upper Cumberland Pride. What I encountered was a groundswell of people hungry for change in the rural Upper Cumberland Region of our state. Equality, diversity and inclusion aren't just big city values; they are Tennessee values that are here to stay.

- Jonathan Cole

Thanks Speaker Harwell, Rep. Maggart and Gov. Haslam

House Speaker Beth Harwell, Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Debra Maggart and Governor Bill Haslam

Tennessee Equality Project was one of the last organizations to formally declare the defeat of the Don't Say Gay bill (HB0229/SB0049). After fighting many bills in the legislature over the years, we've learned that anything can happen in the last days of the legislative session - especially when the rules of the House or Senate are suspended to facilitate the legislative process. Until a motion to adjourn is approved and the final gavel is heard, every bill is technically still alive.

We've fought the Don't Say Gay bill for six long years. This year, the bill met its surest defeat in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly. After enduring years of negative media attention, the ire of constituents and the sobering incidents of two gay Tennessee students completing suicide after being bullied, no sensible person wanted to see this legislation advance. We also realize that Senate sponsor Stacey Campfield or House sponsor Joey Hensley could reintroduce the bill when the 108th Tennessee General Assembly convenes. We will be ready if they do.

In yesterday's message to our supporters, we thanked many people for their vigilance in opposing this anti-LGBT legislation. But also owe thanks to three leaders in State Government who took a stand against extremism in their own party.

We give special thanks House Speaker Beth Harwell, Republican House Caucus Chair Rep. Debra Maggart and Governor Bill Haslam. Each of these individuals did their part in preventing a mean-spirited bill from marginalizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and families in Tennessee schools.

Take a moment to send a thank you note to these leaders. Without them, we would not have defeated this bill.

Speaker.Beth.Harwell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.Debra.Maggart@capitol.tn.gov

Bill.Haslam@tn.gov

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.

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

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 107^th 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