Topic: GLBT

Legislative Updates from Tennessee Equality Project

By Todd Hughes | April 16, 2008 |

Tennessee Equality Project (TEP), a statewide organization dedicated to promoting and sustaining the equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in Tennessee, is paying careful attention to several bills that the State Legislature is presently considering. As part of this process, TEP is asking residents of Montgomery and the surrounding counties to become involved in advancing equality in this region. The local committee, TEP Montgomery County, will meet on April 21 at 7:00 PM at Borders Bookstore coffee shop at 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., Clarksville.

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Campfield: Quixotic attempt to mandate curricular limitations shows anti-gay bias

By Todd Hughes | February 7, 2008 |

Stacey Campfield (R, Knoxville), a self-described Christian and one of the more colorful members of the Tennessee House of Representatives, recently introduced what many have viewed as an extremely confusing bill regarding that which he most eloquently describes in his blog as “what should not be taught in our schools.” This bill, HB2997, requests the amendment of the Tennessee State Code to prohibit “any instruction or materials discussing sexual orientation other than heterosexuality” in elementary and middle schools.

Campfield (at right), during his short tenure in the House, has gained a reputation for introducing controversial, if not peculiar, legislation that many view as antagonistic and bizarre. His past history of failed attempts to limit academic freedom are also well known. In 2005, he introduced HB0432, which was an attempt to limit instructional content by specifically denying classroom teachers the opportunity to express their own personal beliefs with regards to the material that they present. At the same time, Campfield made it clear that he felt as though students should have the right to “speak without fear of hurting their grades.” Many view this as an attempt to legitimatize the rights of free speech for students, but to limit them for classroom instructors.

Last year, Campfield has introduced legislation calling for the removal of the sales tax on food, replacing the lost revenue to the state with additional taxes on pornography. As a Christian, he justifies the potential for financial gain through the taxation of an industry that many of his fellow Christians would call immoral, by defining it as a “luxury item.” Many viewed this legislation as an attempt to give good reason for the sale of pornographic materials and the peddling of human flesh through a motive to fill the State’s coffers. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Politics | 2 Comments

TEP’s Lobbying 101 seminar in Clarksville tonight

By Todd Hughes | January 24, 2008 |

The Tennessee Equality Project is hosting their Lobbying 101 seminar tonight from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Riverview Inn located at 50 College Street in Clarksville.

Their goal is for people from the Clarksville, Montgomery County area to participate in their Feb 19 Advancing Equality Day on the Hill event. This Lobbying 101 session will prepare you to be able to actively participate.  

Sexuality based attacks have already begun in the Tennessee Legislature for the 2008 term, and illustrate why this proactive approach is necessary.

For additional information or any other questions, please contact Middle Tennessee Coordinator Todd Hughes at todd@tnequalityproject.com. 

The Tennessee Equality Project is a 501c4 organization incorporated in Tennessee.  Gifts to TEP are not deductible for purposes of federal income tax.

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Gay Adoption: Prepare for legislative battle

By Todd Hughes | October 25, 2007 |

The polemic surrounding legal rights for GLBT [Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgendered) people to adopt children is clearly well established. Every few years, the question is revisited, either as part of a moral debate or as a legal battle. During the next few months, we can anticipate introduction of this question, once again, in the Legislature. We should begin by considering some important facts.

First, according to the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the following are the particulars regarding adoption by same sex couples in our state:

• Single GLBT people may adopt children
• There is no explicit prohibition against adoption for same-sex couples;
• It is unclear as to whether or not a person can adopt the child of a same-sex partner.

Second, there are currently no bills in the Legislature that would restrict the rights of GLBT individuals or couples to adopt.

So, where’s the “problem” and why are we talking about a “battle?” «Read the rest of this article»

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TTPC, TEP review discrimination law, lobby for transgender rights

By Todd Hughes | October 22, 2007 |

US House Resolution 3685, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, represents a bold move to enact legislation prohibiting discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation. At face value, the Resolution appears to represent a progressive move towards equality for gays and lesbians in the workplace. Unfortunately, it falls short of that goal. The major shortcoming of this legislation is that it completely ignores the rights of the transgender population in the workforce.

The Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) is holding an organizational meeting on November 12, at 7:00 PM, at Borders Bookstore Café, 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., in Clarksville, to present the issue and discuss the reality of and omissions in the non-discrimination law. TEP can assist Montgomery County residents in making their opinions on this bill and other issues of equality heard at both the state and national levels.

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Tennessee Equality Project forms Montgomery County Committee

By Todd Hughes | October 12, 2007 |

The Tennessee Equality Project is presently in the process of forming “ TEP Montgomery County,” a special group that is concerned with the needs of citizens in the Clarksville Region. They need your help and support. An organizational meeting will take place on November 12 at 7:00 PM in Clarksville at the Borders Bookstore Cafe at 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. The meeting should last no more than one hour. Please plan to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Todd Hughes at todd@TNequalityproject.org.

Elsewhere in Tennessee: Nashville

The Tennessee Equality Project held a meeting with Nashville Community Members and Leaders to Solicit Opinions for non-discrimination ordinance for Nashville, TN.

A group of approximately sixty community members met on the evening of Wednesday, October 12, at the East End Methodist Church in Nashville to discuss the possibilities for a non-discrimination ordinance and other positive legislation for Metro Nashville. «Read the rest of this article»

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Book Signing at University an Unqualified Success

By James Butler | April 17, 2007 |

David Shelton’s presentation of his book The Rainbow Kingdom: Christianity and the Homosexual Reconciled was a major success for the Austin Peay Gay-Straight Alliance. According to the official count some 43 people attended the event making it the largest event the GSA has hosted on its own this semester and competing well with its partnered venture with Clarksville Pride, Inc.

Shelton’s performance began with an introductory speech by Miss Amber Gaulden, vice-president of the GSA which started off the night’s pattern of somewhat offbeat humor with Miss Gaulden making slight jabs at the potential controversial nature. That was followed by Shelton doing a brief presentation on the upcoming Day of Silence to warm up the audience before beginning his presentation with an analysis of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, before then proceeding to read from his book.

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The Rainbow Kingdom: NOW AVAILABLE!

By David W. Shelton | October 19, 2006 |

“Can a person be gay and a Christian?”

This is a question that countless thousands of people have asked themselves in the course of their lives. Whether they are struggling with this issue themselves or if they know loved ones who are wrestling with their sexual orientation, there’s now hope! This is a question that countless thousands of people have asked themselves in the course of their lives. Whether they are struggling with this issue themselves or if they know loved ones who are wrestling with their sexual orientation, there’s now hope! The Rainbow Kingdom: Christianity & the Homosexual Reconciled, a new book by David W. Shelton, answers that question and many others that we deal with as GLBT and GLBT-affirming Christians. In the first half, The Rainbow Kingdom addresses the “clobber” verses that are used to condemn gay and lesbian people throughout the world. Then, the message shifts from instruction to ministry, meeting many of today’s issues head-on. «Read the rest of this article»

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