She’s the Goddess of reason and intelligent activity and aptly celebrated when the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) gathers for its annual celebration, Olympus. This year’s event, Athena Returns, takes place at The Parthenon on September 21.
In addition to being their annual fundraising gala, Olympus also presents a chance for TEP and the Tennessee LGBT community to celebrate this year’s achievements. From another legislative session defeating Campfield’s ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ and the positive progress of Tennessee’s Dignity for All Students Act to the Knox County anti-discrimination ordinance and their groundwork for legal actions challenging same-sex marriage bans in Tennessee, there is plenty of intelligent activity to celebrate.
"Olympus is one of the most fun nights you can have in Tennessee that will grow the movement for equality here at home,” said TEP acting Executive Director Chris Sanders. “All the funds support initiatives that help us advance equality like the 2009 and 2011 Metro, 2012 Knoxville and Memphis, and the 2013 Knox County non-discrimination ordinances. We have big plans for advancing workplace equality this year and moving forward with challenging Tennessee's ban on same-sex marriage. When you buy a ticket, it fuels that kind of work."
Nearly 300 turned out to don togas and admire Athena at last year’s inaugural Olympus event, raising nearly $5,000. Olympus: Chapter 2 promises to be a mixture of fun and politics as equality supporters from across Tennessee converge upon Centennial Park.
In addition to reason and intelligent activity, Athena is also the Goddess of arts and literature. In a short program built into Olympus, TEP honors those in the world of media and government they consider Champions of Equality. The list includes: Clay Bennett (Chattanooga Times Free Press), Reid Hedgepeth (Memphis City Council), Ina Hughs (Knoxville News Sentinel), Gail Kerr (The Tennessean), Bianca Phillips (The Memphis Flyer), Pam Strickland (Knoxville News Sentinel), Wendi Thomas (Commercial Appeal) and Jeff Woods (Nashville Scene). The honorees have helped advance equality throughout their community and are helping move Tennessee forward in advocating awareness throughout the state.
So get those leather gladiator kilts ready or google how to drape a sheet and start working on your costume. Athena and the rest of the Gods and Goddesses will descend from Olympus seeking justice and equality for all of Tennessee before you know it.
Olympus: Chapter 2- Athena Returns will be held at the Parthenon in Centennial Park on September , 21st at 7 – 11 p.m.. Tickets are $50 and tables are $500. Sponsorships also are available. For more information, visit OlympusTEP.org
photo credit Phillip Chadwell