Release from the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition; Feb. 3, 2011:
Hate Crimes and Birth Certificate Bills Filed
The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is pleased to announce that both of our bills have been reintroduced in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly.
This week, SB 0313 by *Marrero (*HB 0187 by *Richardson) was filed, which would provide for amendment of birth certificate to reflect a change in gender. Currently, Tennessee is the only state in the nation with a law that totally bans such changes.
Also filed was SB 0314 by *Marrero (*HB 0188 by *Richardson), which adds as an advisory enhancement factor to sentencing that defendant intentionally chose victim of crime based on gender identity or expression. Passage of this bill will make it easier for state and local authorities to track and prosecute hate crimes against Transgender Tennesseans.
We would like to thank our chief sponsors on both bills, Senator Beverly Marrero, (D-Memphis) and Representative Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis), for their continued support.
We urge Tennessee lawmakers to pass both of these vital pieces of legislation.
TTPC Targets Anti-LGBT Bills in State Legislature
Unfortunately, there are also several bills on file this year that can do a lot of harm to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Tennesseans:
*SB 0049 by *Campfield/HB 0229 by *Dunn is one such bill. Senator Campfield has been introducing this bill, which would ban the teaching of sexual diversity, for many years. It is anti education and a threat to intellectual freedom. TTPC has consistently opposed this bill in the past and will continue to do so in 2011.
SB0016 by Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro)/HB0007 by Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) & Cameron Sexton (R-Pikeville), would create a new Photo ID to vote, which could effectively disfranchise transgender voters. TTPC, along with several civil liberties and voting rights groups, have fought similar legislation in the past.
SB0113 by Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and others/HB0130 by Debra Maggart & Glen Casada (R-College Grove) would abolishes teachers’ unions ability to negotiate terms and conditions of professional service with local boards of education. In 2008, the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association pushed to have sexual orientation and gender identity added to the non discrimination policy for Metro Nashville Public Schools. To date, Metro Nashville remains the only public school system in Tennessee which bans discrimination against LGBT students, staff, and faculty. We recognize the work of Nashville’s Teachers Union in working for non discrimination language and do not want to have others prevented from doing the same.
TTPC will remain vigilant in identifying any bills we consider harmful towards LGBT people and will fight against any and all of them.
If you do not know the name of your State Senator or Representative, you can Find Your Legislator by clicking here.
7th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill
As part of this effort, we strongly urge everyone to join TTPC as we support the Tennessee Equality Project’s 7th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill, on Tuesday, March 1. Join LGBT people and supporters from across the state in Nashville as we meet with state legislators and discuss issues of importance to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. More details about the event are below.
Wednesday, February 9, 7 pm EST
Lobbying 101
The Church of the Savior
934 N. Weisgarber Rd.
Knoxville, TN
Thursday, February 10, 7 pm CST
Lobbying 101
Club Drink
23 Heritage Square
Jackson
Saturday, February 12, 4 pm EST
Lobbying 101
University of Tennessee Chattanooga Student Center, Lookout Mountain Room
Chattanooga
TEP Hamilton/Bradley County Committee
Tennessee Equality Project has planned a number of events to enhance your lobbying day experience.
Monday, February 28
GLBT Candidate Training by Shawn Werner of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund
For everyone considering a run for elected office in their future.
TEP will offer a reception after the candidate training to welcome all AED participants. Exact times and locations shall be announced.
Tuesday, March 1, 8 to 9 am CST
Coffee and a light breakfast courtesy of the Vanderbilt Lambda Association.
Tuesday, March 1
7th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill
Legislative Plaza and War Memorial Building
Nashville
organized by Tennessee Equality Project
Metro Nashville Contract Accountability Non Discrimination Ordinance Deferred
As expected, BILL NO. BL2011-838, which would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees of contractors in Metro Nashville and Davidson County, was deferred on Second Reading until Tuesday, February 15 by voice vote.
The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) wishes to thank the 22 members of the Metro Nashville Council who voted on January 18 to support the bill on First Reading.
Opponents of equality and fairness are working hard to defeat this latest effort to end discrimination. Those who believe in equality and fairness are also working hard to demonstrate support.
Every resident of Davidson County is represented by the five At-Large Members, who all voted Yes on Tuesday: Tim Garrett, Megan Barry, Charlie Tygard, Ronnie Steine, and Jerry Maynard, II. Please contact them and thank them for standing against discrimination, and ask them to continue supporting this important piece of legislation through the remaining votes.
If your District Councilmember voted Yes on January 18, please contact them and thank them as well for standing against discrimination, and ask them to continue supporting this important piece of legislation through the remaining votes. If you are not certain of the name of your District Councilmember, click on http://findwhereivote.nashville.gov/ to find your district number.
Even if your Councilmember did not vote Yes, we still need you to contact them and express your support for ending discrimination in Metro Nashville contract work.
Then, please join us at the next Metro Council meeting on Tuesday, February 15, at 6:30 pm, for the Second Reading of the Ordinance. The Metro Council chamber is in the Metro Courthouse on the 2nd Floor.
Marisa Richmond
President
And Please Save These Other Dates!
March 13 to 15 (new dates!)
Congressional Lobby Days
Washington, DC
organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality
Saturday, July 23, 6:00 pm CDT
TTPC Summer Meeting
Nashville
Contact TTPC for information.
The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is an organization designed to educate and advocate on behalf of transgender related legislation at the Federal, State and local levels. TTPC is dedicated to raising public awareness and building alliances with other organizations concerned with equal rights legislation.