Tennessee Equality Project

Overview

The Tennessee Equality Project was founded on June 15, 2004, in Nashville, Tennessee.

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

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.

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

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

References

References

1. Frances Green, ''Gayellow Pages USA 2008-2009'', Renaissance House, 2008, p. 400 [https://books.google.com/books?id=24PciB07qbQC&pg=PA400&]
2. (2004-06-15). "About Us". Tennessee Equality Project.
3. ''[[Out & About Newspaper]]'': [http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/4770 "Tennessee Equality Project wins CABLE award", May 11, 2011]{{Dead link. (August 2025)
4. ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)
5. Human Rights Campaign: [http://www.hrc.org/issues/15142.htm Tennessee Equality Project Call on Belmont University Officials to Halt Anti-LGBT Policies', December 6, 2010] {{Webarchive. link. (June 12, 2012 , accessed July 4, 2011)
6. ''[[Pink News]]'': [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/03/01/legislation-to-ban-gay-awareness-in-tennessee-schools-proposed/ Steve Brewer, "Tennessee proposes bill to ban gay awareness in schools", March 1, 2011], accessed July 4, 2011
7. ''Pink News'': [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/04/28/anger-over-tennessees-dont-say-gay-bill/ Jessica Geen, "Anger over Tennessee's 'don’t say gay' bill", 28 April 2011], accessed July 4, 2011
8. ''Out & About Newspaper'': [http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/4838 "Tennessee Equality Project PA announces endorsements", June 12, 2011] {{Webarchive. link. (March 12, 2012 , accessed July 4, 2011)
9. (November 28, 2015). "LGBT community center on its way". The Daily Times.
10. Human Rights Campaign: [http://www.hrc.org/15331.htm "Human Rights Campaign Makes $10,000 Grant to Tennessee Equality Project", February 17, 2011] {{Webarchive. link. (July 6, 2011 , accessed July 4, 2011)
11. ''Out & About Newspaper'': [http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/4887 "Courage Campaign seeks video testimonies", June 30, 2011] {{Webarchive. link. (August 24, 2011 , accessed July 4, 2011)
12. Maples-Bays, Beth. (July 1, 2005). "Equality Federation supports state level activists". Out & About Nashville.
13. (April 9, 2019). "Taylor Swift Just Donated $113,000 To An Organisation That Fights Anti-LGBT Laws In Tennessee". Buzzfeed.
14. (April 9, 2019). "Taylor Swift Donates $113,000 To LGBTQ Advocacy Group In Tennessee". Huffington Post.