TTPC

As we move into the new year, the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition is already planning for the future.  Please make plans to join us at our semi-annual Statewide Membership Meeting in Nashville on Friday, January 30, at 7 pm, as we elect officers, and plan strategy, for 2009.

There also will be a special election in Nashville-Davidson County in January. Voters will face two referenda, the first to require all government business be done in English Only, and the second to permit more ballot initiatives in the future.  The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition has joined the Nashville for All of Us Coalition opposing the English Only Amendment.  We also urge all Nashville voters to vote AGAINST Amendment #2 as well.  Early Voting starts this Friday,  January 2, and ends on Saturday, January 17, with Election Day on Thursday, January 22.

We continue to encourage all to participate in the Tennessee Equality Project’s 5th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill, on Tuesday, February 17.   Join LGBT people and supporters from across the state in Nashville as we meet with state legislators and discuss issues of importance such as Hate Crimes-which the events of 2008 have shown is so important–Birth Certificates, Adoption Rights, Civil Unions, Education, and Voting Rights.  We will convene at 8:30 a.m., at the Rymer Gallery, located at 233 Fifth Avenue North.

To prepare for Advancing Equality Day on the Hill, TEP has scheduled several Lobbying 101 sessions across the state.  We encourage all to attend the Lobbying 101 session in your area to learn more about lobbying for equal rights for all:

January 5, Murfreesboro—Lobbying 101 for Rutherford and surrounding counties.  6:00 p.m.  For more information, contact us at Kim@TnEqualityProject.com.

January 17, Chattanooga—Lobbying 101 for Hamilton and Bradley Counties.
3:00 p.m. at the Bears Club House located at 99 Tuxedo Cr. in Chattanooga 37411.
For more information, contact us at HamiltonBradley@TnEqualityProject.com.

January 24, Memphis—Lobbying 101.  2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, University of Memphis at 3715 Central Ave in Memphis.  Learn how to advocate equality with your lawmakers.  Contact ShelbyCounty@TnEqualityProject.com for more information or find it on Facebook.

January 27, Nashville—Lobbying 101 for the Vanderbilt University Community.
6:30 p.m., in the Sarratt Student Center, in Room 216 (the Rand Function Room) on campus.

Finally, we would like to welcome a new transgender support group serving the Chattanooga area.  The Tennessee Valley Transgender Support Group will hold its first general meeting on Sunday, January 4, from 6-8 p.m., at House of Hope, 2002 Oak Street, in Chattanooga.  For more information, contact Brenda at brendaaliana@bellsouth.net.

Have a Happy New Year!