Birth Certificates, Adoption, and Academic Freedom Bills on TTPC's Agenda for 2008


The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition is pleased to announce that we now have two bills that would permit gender changes to birth certificates.  This week, SB3932 and HB3805 were filed by State Senator Beverly Marrero (D-Memphis) and State Representative Michael Kernell (D-Memphis), and SB4052/HB3907 by Senator Marrero and Representative Jeanne Richardson (D-Memphis).

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3805.pdf

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3907.pdf


At the current time, Tennessee is the only state in the country which bans gender changes on birth certificates.  Please thank Sen. Beverly Marrero and Rep. Mike Kernell and Rep. Jeanne Richardson for introducing these vital pieces of legislation.  We look forward to working with them to get one of these bills passed in 2008.

In addition, TTPC is working to defeat two new bills which we consider harmful to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Tennesseans.  One is SB3910/HB3713 by Paul Stanley (R-Germantown) and John DeBerry (D-Memphis), which would ban unmarried, cohabiting couples from adopting children. 

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3713.pdf

In 2005, TTPC was one of several groups which fought ill conceived legislation to limit the rights of responsible adults from adopting children.  We are prepared to stand for equal rights again in 2008.

The other bill is SB3733/HB2997 by Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland) and Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) which would prevent teachers from discussing any sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.  This bill limits academic freedom and intellectual curiosity.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2997.pdf


We are still working to prevent passage of previously introduced legislation left from 2007 which would require  or photo identification to vote or written parental permission to join a student club already authorized by the school.

If you are interested in learning more about lobbying your state legislator, there are still two more Lobbying 101's to learn more about lobbying for equal rights for all:

Thursday, January 31, 6:30 pm
Nashville
East End United Methodist Church
1212 Holly Street

Saturday, February 2, 2-4 pm
Knoxville
Metropolitan Community Church of Knoxville
7820 Redeemer Drive


Then join TTPC as we support the Tennessee Equality Project's 4th Annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill.   People from the LGBT community and supporters from across the state will meet in Nashville with state legislators and discuss issues of importance to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community


Monday, February 18, 2008

3:30-5:30 Candidate Training, Presented by Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund
Red/Tribe, 1517 Church Street

6-8 pm Welcoming Reception
Red/Tribe, 1517 Church Street



Tuesday, February 19, 2008

8:00 am Registration & Light Refreshments
8:30 am Legislative Briefing
Special Guest: State Representative Sherry Jones (D-Nashville)
Rymer Art Gallery, 6th Avenue North

9:30 am Legislative Appointments and Committee Meetings
Legislative Plaza
War Memorial Building



The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is an organization designed to educate and advocate on behalf of transgender related legislation at the Federal, State and local levels. TTPC is dedicated to raising public awareness and building alliances with other organizations concerned with equal rights legislation. 

For more information, or to make a donation, contact:

Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC)
P.O. Box 92335
Nashville, TN 37209
http://ttgpac.com
TTGPAC@aol.com
(615)293-6199
(615)353-1834 fax

I hope they are successful in passing their bills.

But now I am confused, they stated that Tennessee was the only state that did not allow birth certificates to have the gender changed, I though Ohio did not allow that (I would love it if I had missed Ohio changing that). 

Sarah L.

I hope thay get it too.
that is my birth place

     Kim

as far as i know Ohio has change nothing, they still only AMEND everything, and i don't believe they seal your old records either(not sure), isn't that nice?


Mickie

The last time I talked with them, I was told they would change the Name, but Not the Gender Marker.


Sarah L.

i still think that is highly ridiculous, and then there's the marriage thing too.


Mickie