Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 25, 2026

Tennessee Equality Project

The Tennessee Equality Project is an LGBTQ organization in the United States state of Tennessee.

Last revised
Jun 25, 2026
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Tennessee Equality Project
FoundedJune 15, 2004 (2004-06-15)
Location
Region served
Tennessee
Websitetnep.org

The Tennessee Equality Project is an LGBTQ organization in the United States state of Tennessee.1

Overview

The Tennessee Equality Project was founded on June 15, 2004, in Nashville, Tennessee.23

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,67 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 Campaign610 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.1314

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Frances Green, Gayellow Pages USA 2008-2009, Renaissance House, 2008, p. 400 [1]
  2. "About Us". Tennessee Equality Project. 2004-06-15. Archived from the original on 2014-01-16. 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 Archived June 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, 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 Archived March 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, 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 Archived August 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, 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.
External links