Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (LGBT)
For the last 25 years, ACLU-TN has focused on a wide range of civil liberty issues that directly affect the LGBT community. These include the right to privacy, equal protection and treatment under the law, and the freedom of speech and assembly.
Today, the need to protect these civil liberties is greater than ever. Bowing under pressure from the radical right and special-interest groups, elected officials are increasingly introducing ordinances and legislation that would restrict LGBT rights in areas ranging from adoption and child visitation rights to domestic partnerships and health care decision-making, future marriage rights, and the right to assembly. These officials and groups don’t just want to roll back the clock; they want to prevent the clock from going forward as well.
ACLU-TN believes that these legislative proposals violate the basic values and rights contained in the Bill of Rights of the U. S. Constitution, enshrine prejudice and bigotry into the law, and are a threat to all people, including LGBT individuals, families, and their children. Working in PARTNERSHIP with attorneys, activists, and religious, civic, business, and LGBT groups, ACLU-TN is committed to fighting discrimination and promoting equality by pursuing a range of strategies including advocacy, coalition building, legislative lobbying, litigation and public education.
Learn more about ACLU-TN's 25 year history of fighting for LGBT equality...
Interventions and Projects
Press Releases
Legislative Alerts
Past Events
Current Docket
Resources
Interventions and Projects
October 2007: Moving Nashville Forward: Why Inclusivity and Opportunity are Essential to Music City's Future
August 2007: The MNPS Support Student Safety Campaign Launches
April 16, 2007: ACLU-TN Intervenes on Behalf of McMinnville Hate Crimes Victim
January 20, 2006: Hearing Held in ACLU-TN Challenge to Proposed Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage
Memorandum in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
December 12, 2005: ACLU-TN Urges Recognition of Gay/Straight Alliance at Oak Ridge High School (304 KB)
Press Releases
October 4, 2011: Tennessee High School Student: Principal Assaulted Me for Wearing T-Shirt Supporting Gay-Straight Alliance. ACLU Demands Protection for Students' Rights to Free Speech.
June 29, 2010: Tennessee Court Rules Mother's Lesbian Partner Can Remain In Home During Visits With Her Children
April 28, 2010: ACLU-TN Responds to Religious & Anti-Gay Activity in Tennessee Public Schools - Urges Schools to Keep Graduation and Prom Inclusive for All Students
April 19, 2010: Tennessee School Agrees to Remedy Harassment and Censorship of Gay Student - ACLU of Tennessee & Lambda Legal Applaud School ’s Protection of Free Speech
September 21, 2009: Tennessee Appeals Court Unanimously Upholds Rights Of Lesbian Mom
June 4, 2009 - Tennessee Schools End Censorship Of Gay Educational Web Sites After ACLU Lawsuit
May 19, 2009 - ACLU Sues To Stop Tennessee Schools From Censoring Gay Educational Web Sites: Filtering Software Allows Anti-Gay Sites
April 15, 2009: ACLU Demands Tennessee Schools Stop Censoring Gay Educational Websites: Filtering Software Still Allows So-Called “Ex-Gay” Sites
April 29, 2008: ACLU Takes On High School Principal For Discriminating Against Male Couple
April 7, 2008 - Nashville High School Students and Child Welfare Organizations Ask for Comprehensive Non-Discrimination Policy
October 4, 2007: The Future of LGBT Rights in Tennessee: Organizing, Educating and Litigating
April 10, 2007: ACLU Appoints Gay Rights Attorney to Work in the South
July 14, 2006: ACLU-TN Statement on ACLU v. Darnell (24 KB)
May 22, 2006: Public Notice Resource Center and TN NOW Urge Tennessee Supreme Court to Overturn Lower Court Decision on Marriage Ban Amendment (34 KB)
April 21, 2005: ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Amendment Banning Marriages for Same-Sex Couples
March 17, 2005: Media Advisory - ACLU-TN to challenge anti-marriage constitutional amendment
March 25, 2004: ACLU Release - TN Appeals Court Rules Gay Parents Can't Be Treated Differently in Child Custody and Visitation
March 19, 2004: Media Advisory - ACLU-TN calls Rhea County Commission actions deplorable and unconstitutional
February 9, 2004: ACLU Convinces Court to Reconsider Order Barring Gay Dad from "Exposing" Son to Partner
Legislative Alerts
ACLU-TN Legislative Highlights: LGBT Rights, 106th Tennessee General Assembly, 2009-2010
March 29, 2010: Contact legislators today--our freedoms at stake this week!
March 15, 2010: Immigrants Rights, LGBT Rights, Privacy, Reproductive Freedom and More - Your Voice Needed!
January 25, 2010: Don't Say Gay Bill is Back - Urge NO Vote on 1/27/10
July 15, 2009: Ordinance Protecting LGBT Government Employees in Nashville Filed
May 11, 2009: Reproductive Freedom, Free Speech, Privacy and More at Stake at the Legislature This Week
May 4, 2009: Legislative Alert: Privacy, LGBT Rights, Religious Freedom, Reproductive Freedom, Voting Rights and Equal Treatment Under the Law at Stake
April 27, 2009: Legislative Alert: Free Speech, LGBT Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Immigrants' Rights and More
April 13, 2009: Legislative Alert: Contact Your Legislators on Free Speech, LGBT Rights, Religious Freedom, Immigrants' Rights and More
May 9, 2008: ACLU-TN Chart of 2008 TGA Bills Related to LGBT Issues
April 14, 2008: Voice Your Opinion on Several Pending Civil Liberties/Civil Rights Bills!
April 8, 2008: Show the Metro Nashville School Board your support for a comprehensive non-discrimination policy
April 7, 2008: Bill Banning Unmarried Adoption Up in Senate Judiciary Committee - Urge Senators to Vote NO on SB3910
March 16, 2005: Victory - Adoption Ban Bill Defeated - Thank Those Voting No
March 14, 2005: Ban on Gay Adoption - Action Needed Against - Urge Legislators to Vote NO
March 4, 2005: Ban on Gay Adoption - Urge Legislators to Vote NO
February 25, 2005: Prohibition on Civil Unions/Domestic Partnerships - Urge Your Legislator to Vote NO - Immediate Action Necessary
July 13, 2004: Oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment: Urge Senators Frist and Alexander Not To Write Intolerance Into the Constitution
March 24, 2004: Victory - Prohibition on Civil Unions/Domestic Partnerships Fails in Sub-Committee
March 15, 2004: Legislative Alert-Prohibition on Civil Unions/Domestic Partnerships-Urge legislator to vote NO-Immediate Action Necessary
March 28, 2003: Equality YES! Action - Nashvillians please contact council members
January 17, 2003: Friends for Equality in Metro Nashville Area - calls this weekend needed to support anti-discrimination amendment
January 13, 2003: ACLU Friends in Metro Nashville Supporting Anti-Discrimination Ordinance - call council people ASAP
February 26, 2002: Support ENDA - Fight Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation - Contact Senators Frist and Thompson
May 23, 2001: Anti-gay groups in public schools - Needs Immediate Attention
Past Events
April 14, 2010: ACLU-TN, LGBT Youth Rights and the Nashville Film Festival
April 8, 2008: Show the Metro Nashville School Board your support for a comprehensive non-discrimination policy
March 4, 2008: In the Best Interests of the Child: Adoption in Tennessee
September 9, 2004: "Relationship Recognition - At Work, At Home, and In the Community"
American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, et. al. v.
Darnell, et. al.
(Chancery Court, Davidson County)
Resources
The Fight for LGBT Equality (online version)
The Fight for LGBT Equality (printable version)
Get help
Learn more about getting a nondiscrimination policy in your town
Get free materials on LGBT equality
LGBT - National ACLU
