Taylor Swift just did something major for the LGBTQ+ community in Tennessee, and we love the new political Taylor
Taylor Swift—who used to be known for not getting involved in politics—has been getting majorly political in recent months (she endorsed two Democratic candidates in her home state of Tennessee in 2018, and many credit her vocal support for increasing voter turnout in the midterms nationwide). And now, the singer has donated $113,000 to the Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBTQ+ organization aimed at securing equal rights via legislative advocacy. “That means we lobby the Tennessee General Assembly and local governments around the state,” the organization’s site reads. “When there is an important federal issue […] we help you make your voice heard with your federal officials.”
Swift also reportedly attached a hand-written note to her donation that read:
"I’m writing you to say that I’m so inspired by the work you do, specifically in organizing the recent petition of Tennessee faith leaders standing up against the Slate of Hate in our state legislature. Please convey my heartfelt thanks to them and accept this donation to support the work you and these leaders are doing. I’m so grateful that they’re giving all people a place to worship."
The “Slate of Hate” Swift references is a series of twelve bills introduced to the Tennessee legislature earlier this year. Six of said bills have gone to the state House, while the other six were introduced to the state Senate. Several of the bills in the package died without being passed in December of 2018. However, they’ve been reintroduced with a vengeance.
Each bill unabashedly attacks the LGBTQ community. For example, one bill—the Tennessee Natural Marriage Act—calls for the re-banning of gay marriage in the state. Another bill, colloquially called the “locker room bill,” aims to expand the state’s indecent exposure law to apply in restrooms and locker rooms and directly targets transgender people. The bill states that a person of the “opposite sex” can be arrested and prosecuted for indecent exposure if in the “wrong” bathroom.
INCREDIBLE: Taylor Swift just made a sizable donation to @tnequality and wrote a heartfelt note thanking the organization for its work in trying to defeat the anti-LGBTQ "slate of hate" in Tennessee. #tnleg pic.twitter.com/cChF3Esd4Q
— Nick Morrow (@NRMorrow) April 8, 2019
Swift’s contribution will greatly help the Tennessee Equality Project fight against the Slate of Hate on a legislative level. “She sees our struggle in Tennessee and continues to add her voice with so many good people, including religious leaders, who are speaking out for love in the face of fear,” Chris Sanders of the TEP wrote on Facebook.
Look what you made her do.
