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

Nashville's Dean says that social legislation affects the business climate

In an interview with The City Paper, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean noted that when businesses consider Nashville, they sometimes have concerns about the social legislation coming from the Tennessee General Assembly.  He contrasts that socially conservative agenda at the state level with the commitment to non-discrimination in Metro Nashville:

You mentioned fielding calls from other cities and people checking out Nashville and how hot it is. When you’re fielding those calls, do you ever hear, “Gee, we’d love to come down, all this social agenda legislation is worrying us.” Do they ever say, “What the hell is going on with the legislature in Tennessee?”
Dean: I won’t mention names, I’m not really at liberty to mention it, but there have been companies who have actually come here who have heard about some of the social legislation and expressed concern. My position has always been, particularly in the area of nondiscrimination, that that absolutely shoots us in the foot. Particularly if you’re a cultural city and an artistic city and a university city. I think Nashville stands on its own. I think people look at Nashville and know that it’s different. Cities have to be friendly, which we are. Cities have to be inclusive, which I think we are, and we try to get more and more inclusive. That’s the way government in cities should operate. But I have heard it. The business [in question] came.

I wonder whether the business-friendly Legislature will get the message.  More correctly, I wonder what it will take for the Legislature to get the message that restrictive social legislation is unattractive for business growth and development.  To give credit, some legislators from both parties do, but not nearly enough.

Until the Legislature gets the message, it will be important for more cities to pass inclusive non-discrimination ordinances like Knoxville and Metro Nashville.  But at some point, we need a fundamental change at the state level.  Corporations are going to have to add their voices to the national media and equality advocates in Tennessee if that is going to take place.  Let's hope it does.

-Chris Sanders

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

Will Governor Haslam stand up to the bullies in his own party?

In this week's issue of the Memphis Flyer, Copy Editor Joe Brown calls Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to task for whining about the media's coverage of embarassing legislation proposed by his party's government. Haslam recently complained that state and local media favor reporting on the bad bills moving through the Tennessee General Assembly over the "good" legislation supported by his administration. I urge you to read the entire column, but I'll quote some of the best passages.

First of all, the legislature is objectively embarrassing. There is no positive way to spin hate. The party mantra of "job creation" not only rings hollow but plainly stinks when compared to the slate of social laws that are pitched every session. What sort of jobs are you people after? Inquisitors?

A man of your privilege should know that educated people who can be depended upon to solve critical problems in medical research, logistics, and higher management don't respond well to xenophobia and witch-hunt politics. If you want the media to stop reporting this tomfoolery, then stand up for educated, well-mannered people who live here and who are horrified and ashamed by the backward and hateful agenda that apparently equates to success in our General Assembly.

The list of legislation with a conservative social agenda in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly is a long one. TEP has actively opposed a number of these bills that directly affect the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in Tennessee: the "Special Access to Discriminate Act," the "Police the Potty" bill, the "License to Bully" bill, the Anti-GSA School Clubs bill, and the "Don't Say Gay" bill . . . . the list goes on.

Brown later illustrates in his column how anti-LGBT legislation will harm our state's employers:

Anyone who has worked in management in white-collar industry knows that women and gay people are indispensable. This was once made very real to me when I was starting a business here. The potential partner in the concern was an older man, Southern and brusque. He asked me one day in talks, "What do you think of the gays?" As an open-minded child of the New South, I stalled and stuttered wondering what on earth was coming next, when he added, "If I could hire only gays, that's what I would do. They are the best people I can find." He employed many Tennesseans.

Brown understands that businesses cannot afford for the State of Tennessee to create a hostile environment for women and LGBT people without losing valuable employees. The Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Haslam are providing no incentive for talented LGBT professionals or others who want to live in vibrant, diverse communities to remain in or move into the state. Shouldn't the goal of government be to make our state a more attractive place to live and work for all people?

Brown finally warns Governor Haslam of potential consequences if he fails to keep the legislature in check:

Until you stand up to it or openly acknowledge that your party's agenda has become that of seeking lobbying money and riling up hatred, I will fail to take you or your party seriously. I sure as hell won't become a Democrat, but I will hound superstition and political avarice at every turn, because educated people read this paper and others. Their voice deserves a place in our state. Tennessee is becoming a place where educated entrepreneurs and doctors of international renown would feel unwelcome.

The final outcome of the "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB229/SB049) in the House of Representative is still unknown at this writing. HB229 may represent the Governor's last chance during this legislative session to show some backbone as an executive prepared to lead his party and the State of Tennessee. I hope he is up to the task.

- Jonathan Cole

Send thanks to the Senators who supported equality

Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis)

Sen. Jim Kyle's bill (SB2762) that would have repealed HB600/SB632 failed by a vote of 2 to 6 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee today. Senators Thelma Harper (D) and Joe Haynes (D) voted yes. Senators Stacey Campfield (R), Mike Faulk (R), Jack Johnson (R), Bill Ketron (R), Mark Norris (R) and Ken Yager (R) voted against. Senator Lowe Finney (D) was absent.

B2762 would have restored the Contract Accountability Non-Discrimination Ordinance which extended LGBT-inclusive workplace protections to employees of Metro Nashville contractors. The legislation would have affirmed the right of all local governments in Tennessee to act in their communities best interest in protecting its citizens from unfair workplace practices.

Thanks to all of you for writing to the committee and to Sen. Kyle for his work.  This vote is one stepping stone in the path full equality in the workplace for Tennesseans. Tennessee Equality Project will continue to fight for equality in the workplace for LGBT people in our state.

Take a moment to write a thank you note to Senator Jim Kyle at sen.jim.kyle@capitol.tn.gov for his courage and conviction in seeking to repeal the "Special Access to the Discriminate Act" (HB600/SB632). Be sure to thank Senator Thelma Harper  at sen.thelma.harper@capitol.tn.gov and Joe Haynes at sen.joe.haynes@capitol.tn.gov for their votes.

- Jonathan Cole

Bills we'll be watching the week of April 2, 2012

Tennessee Equality Project will be watching the following legislation that may affect LGBT and their families in Tennessee. Here's a schedule of committee calendars to watch for the week that begins April 2, 2012: 

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

Final Calendar Note the Committee will meet Wednesday at 3:00 pm in LP 12 to finish the calendar. Items 34 and 35 were 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)

16.

SB2762 Sen. J. Kyle Jr. (D)

Commercial Law: Repeals Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act. HB2908 - Rep. B. Gilmore (D) - None Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate State & Local Government Committee 04/03/12. House Status: None Last Action Date: 03/29/2012

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)

11.	HB3621 Rep. J. Gotto (R)	Education: Abstinence centered sex education. SB3310 - Sen. J. Johnson (R) - 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment, as amended. Sent to Senate Finance, Ways & Means. Senate Status: 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment, as amended. Sent to Senate Finance, Ways & Means. House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12. Last Action Date: 03/29/2012
13.	HB3576 Rep. M. Pody (R)	Education: Religious student organizations in higher education. SB3597 - Sen. M. Beavers (R) - 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment. Senate Status: 03/28/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment. House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12. Last Action Date: 03/29/2012
14.	HB2641 Rep. C. Curtiss (D)	Criminal Law: Images used to harass and bully. SB2556 - Sen. B. Ketron (R) - 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12. Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12. House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12. Last Action Date: 03/29/2012

Tuesday 3:00pm - LP 12 - Senate Judiciary Committee

Committee will meet on Wednesday at 1:00pm in LP 12 to finish the calendar. MEMBERS: Chair Sen. M. Beavers (R), Vice Chair Sen. D. Overbey (R), Secretary Sen. M. Bell (R), Sen. T. Barnes (D), Sen. S. Campfield (R), Sen. O. Ford (D), Sen. B. Kelsey (R), Sen. B. Marrero (D), Sen. K. Yager (R)

44.

SB2556 Sen. B. Ketron (R)

Criminal Law: Images used to harass and bully. HB2641 - Rep. C. Curtiss (D) - 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12. Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12. House Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 04/03/12. Last Action Date: 03/29/2012

Senate Judiciary Committee 

Committee will meet on Wednesday at 1:00pm in LP 12 to finish the calendar. MEMBERS: Chair Sen. M. Beavers (R), Vice Chair Sen. D. Overbey (R), Secretary Sen. M. Bell (R), Sen. T. Barnes (D), Sen. S. Campfield (R), Sen. O. Ford (D), Sen. B. Kelsey (R), Sen. B. Marrero (D), Sen. K. Yager (R)

25.

SB2371 Sen. B. Marrero (D)

Criminal Law: Trafficking in commercial sex acts - offense created. HB2493 - Rep. J. Coley (R) - 03/07/2012 - House General Subcommittee of Finance placed behind the budget. Senate Status: 03/29/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 04/03/12. House Status: 03/07/2012 - House General Subcommittee of Finance placed behind the budget. Last Action Date: 03/29/2012

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.

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