Tennessee Equality Project

The Tennessee Equality Project is an LGBT organization in the United States state of Tennessee.[1]

Tennessee Equality Project
The Tennessee Equality Project logo
U.S. State of Tennessee
FoundedJune 15, 2004 (2004-06-15)
Location
Area served
Tennessee
Websitetnep.org

Overview

The Tennessee Equality Project was founded on June 15, 2004, in Nashville, Tennessee.[2][3]

The organization has lobbied against a 2006 referendum to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage,[4] the dismissal of a lesbian soccer coach by Belmont University in 2010,[5] the Don't Say Gay bill sponsored in 2011 by Sen. Stacey Campfield and Rep. Bill Dunn,[6][7] and other public issues. It endorsed Nashville mayor Karl Dean for re-election in 2011.[8]

In December 2015, TEP attempted to open an LGBT center in Maryville, the county seat of Blount County in partnership with local stakeholders, but this effort was ultimately unsuccessful.[9]

The Project has received funds from the Human Rights Campaign[6][10] and has partnered with the California-based Courage Campaign to develop political advertising based on the life story of an LGBT Tennessee resident.[11] The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.[12]

In April 2019, the TEP received a $113,000 donation and a handwritten letter of support from singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.[13][14]

See also

References
  1. Frances Green, Gayellow Pages USA 2008-2009, Renaissance House, 2008, p. 400
  2. "About Us". Tennessee Equality Project. 2004-06-15. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  3. Out & About Newspaper: "Tennessee Equality Project wins CABLE award", May 11, 2011, accessed July 4, 2011
  4. The Advocate: "Marriage Ban Momentum: Will 2005 become a repeat of last year's frenzy state constitutional amendments?", February 15, 2005, accessed July 4, 2011
  5. Human Rights Campaign: Tennessee Equality Project Call on Belmont University Officials to Halt Anti-LGBT Policies', December 6, 2010, accessed July 4, 2011
  6. Pink News: Steve Brewer, "Tennessee proposes bill to ban gay awareness in schools", March 1, 2011, accessed July 4, 2011
  7. Pink News: Jessica Geen, "Anger over Tennessee's 'don’t say gay' bill", 28 April 2011, accessed July 4, 2011
  8. Out & About Newspaper: "Tennessee Equality Project PA announces endorsements", June 12, 2011, accessed July 4, 2011
  9. Bales-Sherrod, Lesli (November 28, 2015). "LGBT community center on its way". The Daily Times. Maryville, Tennessee. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  10. Human Rights Campaign: "Human Rights Campaign Makes $10,000 Grant to Tennessee Equality Project", February 17, 2011 Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, accessed July 4, 2011
  11. Out & About Newspaper: "Courage Campaign seeks video testimonies", June 30, 2011, accessed July 4, 2011
  12. Maples-Bays, Beth (July 1, 2005). "Equality Federation supports state level activists". Out & About Nashville. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  13. Bate, Ellie (April 9, 2019). "Taylor Swift Just Donated $113,000 To An Organisation That Fights Anti-LGBT Laws In Tennessee". Buzzfeed.
  14. Saba, Hamedy (April 9, 2019). "Taylor Swift Donates $113,000 To LGBTQ Advocacy Group In Tennessee". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
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