The bill in the Tennessee House, HB0130 by Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville), was amended and then passed by the House Education Subcommittee, even though the Tennessee Education Association and their legislative supporters were not given the customary week ot review the proposed amendment.  It now moves to the full House Education Committee this Tuesday, March 22, at 12 Noon, in Legislative Plaza. Room 16.

The members of the House Education Committee are:

• Richard Montgomery (R-Sevierville), Chair
• Joey Hensley, (R-Hohenwald), Vice-Chair
• Joe Carr (R-Lascassas), Secretary
• Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville)
• Kevin Brooks (R-Cleveland)
• John DeBerry (D-Memphis)
• Lois DeBerry (D-Memphis)
• Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville)
• Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley)
• John Forgety (R-Athens)
• Ron Lollar (R-Bartlett)
• Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville)
• Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington)
• Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville)
• Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro)
• John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge)
• Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville)
• John Mark Windle (D-Livingston)

On Tuesday, March 31, the House Health and Human Resources Committee will hear HB0050 by Brenda Gilmore (D-Nashville), which would require the Department of Health to develop a plan to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis in African American communities across the state. This is a special problem among LGBT African Americans. TTPC supports this bill. The Health and Human Resources Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 31, 10:30 am, in Legislative Plaza, Room 16.

Later, on Tuesday afternoon, the House Employee Affairs Subcommittee will hear HB 0776 by Mike Turner (D-Old Hickory). This bill would guarantee Pay Equity in the Workplace, banning gender based pay discrimination for equal work. The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition also supports Pay Equity in the Workplace. The Employee Affairs Subcommittee meets Tuesday, March 31, 1:30 pm.

On Wednesday, April 1, the House Elections Subcommittee will hear HB1838 by Curry Todd (R-Collierville). This bill which, makes new requirements for Voter ID’s in Tennessee, is opposed by the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition and several other equal rights and voter advocacy groups because it could result in the disfranchisement of voters in Tennessee. This bill was rolled by the committee until this Wednesday. The Elections Subcommittee meets Wednesday, April 1, 10:00 am, Legislative Plaza, Room 31.

Out and About Today is broadcast on NewsChannel 5+ and will debut on tonight, Friday, February 13, at 10:00 pm, CDT.  The show will repeat on Saturday at 2:00 am and 9:30 pm, CDT, and Sunday at 2:00 am and 10:00 pm, CDT.  The show will also repeat the weekend of February 27 to March 1.

NewsChannel 5+ can be found on Nashville Cable at Channel 50.  If you do not live in Nashville, check your local listings to see if NewsChannel 5+ is available in your area.

Out and About Today is also available online at http://outandaboutnewspaper.com. 

And be sure to join TTPC as we support 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 to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.  More details about the event are below.

We will be lobbying for filed HB0335 by Rep. Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis).SB0253 by Sen. Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis), which would add “gender identity or expression” as a hate crimes sentencing enhancement factor, and HB0334/SB0252 by Rep. Richardson and Senator Marrero which would permit gender changes on birth certificates.  Currently, Tennessee is the only state in the nation with a law that totally bans such changes.  

In addition, the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition is also opposing several bills that we believe discriminate against LGBT Tennesseans.  These include: 

SB0078 by Sen. Paul Stanley/HB0605 by Rep. John DeBerry (D-Memphis), which would ban adoption rights for unmarried, co-habiting couples; 

SB1250 by Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland)/HB0821 by Rep. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville), which would ban the teaching of sexual diversity in schools:

and numerous bills which would require new Voter IDs, which could potentially disfranche transgender voters. 

If you are in the Knoxville area and would like to participate, contact Larry Kitchen atlarry1003@webtv.net.  The Knoxville group still has a few spaces on the van they are providing for travel to the event.  

Marisa Richmond 
President