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Weekly Wrap-Up: April 26, 2019

The Weekly Wrap-Up - 4-26-19

Your MEMBER ONLY email on all things the Chamber worked on this week and that you need to know about, to get the most of your membership. Thank you for being a member. 

 

We are not just sending this email to current Chamber Members this week as we have important information we want to share with everyone interested in LGBT equality. Take a look below about developments this week at the State Legislature and take action. If you like what you see and you are not a member and want to stay engaged, please join and receive an email every week from us about what the Nashville LGBT Chamber has been working on. 

 

Action Alert-

Breaking news and ACTION ALERT! We need you to act now to stop discrimination. 

 

This has been the busiest and worst week yet on advocacy at the state legislature. I hope you all saw the ACTION ALERT that went out Wednesday. Take a read to catch yourself up on where we are. In it, we called for c-suite executives to directly speak out to senators and for businesses large and small to sign an open letter. We have had a huge response and thanks all that took action, we need EVERYONE to take action now. 

 

Breaking news today, we announced that our member Postmates made a powerful statement on the passage of these bills. It is the most direct statement to date of a company telling the state there could be direct negative consequences to the passage of this legislation. This could be the first of many self-inflicted economic wounds to the state and local economy that could occur. We are seeing the amazing NFL Draft taking place downtown, and it could all stop if these bills pass. The NFL, FIFA, corporate business and so many other groups are watching and waiting to see if the State Senate follows through on passing laws that do nothing but discriminate. It was clear in testimony this week and by really studying the bills, that there is no real reason for or direct impact with these bills, except to discriminate against LGBT people. 

 

We have a very hard fight on our hands but we must fight. 

We need you to take action in these ways- 

Speak out and make this issue heard by all that can listen. We have until Monday to make our voices heard, then it is too late. 

Sign the open letter if you are a business

Speak out if you are corporate executive directly to Senators and the Governor. 

Our partner the Tennessee Equality Project has these ways to help as well. 

April 29- The anti-transgender student bathroom bill is up in House Calendar and Rules and could be on the House floor soon.

-Use this campaign to contact your own member of the Tennessee House of Representatives to oppose the bill.

-Join us outside the House chamber in the Capitol at 3pm.  Wear RED, bring small signs opposing the bill.

April 30- The amended indecent exposure bill, the adoption/foster care discrimination bill, and the anti-transgender student bathroom bill are on the Senate floor.

-Use this NEW campaign to contact your state senator to oppose all three bills.

-Join us in the Senate gallery at 8:00 a.m.  The floor session starts at 8:30.  Note: The bills are late on the calendar.

 

New and Renewing Members-

 

Please join us in welcoming the following businesses that joined our Chamber this week:

 

2019 Excellence in Business Awards-

Wow! We celebrated finalists, members, and our community today at the Excellence in Business Awards at the JW Marriott. Congratulations to all of our finalists and winners. We had a packed room celebrating diversity and inclusion. A special thank you to the planning committee, our President Ron Snitker and the Board of Directors, Mayor David Briley and his amazing team,  our volunteers from Dell, Aubreyanna and Ross from the JW Marriott, and all of our guests. You made this event one to remember! We will post official pictures provided by Events R Us Photography when they are available!

 

Big Payback Happy Hour-

 

Save the Date! Join us for a cocktail and celebrate the Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation for The Big Payback 2019! Our Foundation funds several scholarship and education programs for the LGBT community. Help us reach our $15,000 goal by coming to Tribe Nashville for Happy Hour on Thursday, May 2nd! Come out and enjoy drink specials, prizes, friends, networking, and the spirit of giving.  

 

NFL Draft-

Nashville is booming! The NFL Draft started Thursday and our downtown is hosting a sea of people. Chamber board members and staff visited the Draft site today. We are so proud of the 23 Chamber members who were chosen for the NFL Draft Business Connect. We saw several represented on Broadway as we walked through. 

Make sure to head to the main stage on Saturday afternoon or tune in to ESPN. I will be representing the Nashville LGBT Chamber and celebrating diversity and inclusion with the NFL when I announce one of the Draft picks in the 6th round!

 

Society for Human Resource Management- 

On Tuesday night, we spoke to Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Nashville Chapter on the work we do, specifically about the programs we have with companies around HR policies and LGBT employees. We were privileged to introduce Pam Sheffer of Just Us @ Oasis Center who then spoke on pronouns, identifying, other topics that make sure LGBTQ+ employees feel respected and welcomed. 

I learned so much. It was an important and interesting conversation that needs to continue to happen and we will work to make sure it does. Again, business is leading the way in equality. If you are looking for an excellent training program on pronouns, identifying, or the broad LGBTQ+ community, I highly recommend you talk with JustUs and Pam, she is amazing. 

 

Cafecito- Conexión Américas Breakfast-

The Nashville LGBT Chamber had the pleasure of hosting a table at our member Conexión Américas’ Cafecito fundraiser this morning. We heard from Mayor David Briley, outgoing Executive Director Renata Soto, and several members of the Conexión Américas community. We are so proud of their work and were happy to continue supporting them! We started an important partnership years ago that only continues to grow. We work hard with all marginalized communities to stay strong and united in these pivotal times. 

 

Pride Guide and Deadlines-

Just as a reminder, Nashville Pride is less than a month away now.  For any Nashville LGBT Chamber members wishing to advertise in the official Pride Guide, the deadline for advertising placement is May 10th.  

Please reach out to Will Shutes for further information on the Pride Guide, and Jack Davis with anything related to Pride. 

 

Working for you, 

 

Joe Woolley

CEO

 

Lauren Bland

Membership Manager

 

We advocate and educate on behalf of our individual, small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting equity and diversity in business and society. 

The Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the premier advocate of the Greater Nashville Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender business community, representing over 400+ businesses, community groups, and individuals in Nashville and the surrounding area.


 
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