TEP Foundation receives $40,000 hate crimes grant from Gill

In what is perhaps one of the largest ever grants for a local GLBT organization, a $40,000 two-year grant has been given to the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation to help raise awareness of Tennessee hate crimes laws.

The grant comes from The Tides Foundation,a philanthropic partnership that includes the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, the Gill Foundation and other anonymous donors.

The purpose of the grant award is for the TEP Foundation to increase the awareness and usage of the Tennessee hate crimes laws that already includes sexual orientation but not gender identity.  

"We look forward to affecting hate crimes and the way they are prosecuted in Tennessee for the next few years. It is one thing to have fought hard to be included in the laws and another for those laws to be enforced," said TEP Foundation project director Shawn Stewart, Ph.D. " Tennessee needs to take the next step of making the state safe from hate for everyone, including members of the transgender community who still aren't protected. This is a challenging task and the TEP Foundation is excited to be at the forefront of the issue. We  look forward to working with our partners like the TN Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence who have been making a difference and fighting the fight for many years now.”

Randy Cox, president of the TEP Foundation, said the grant would allow the foundation to work to educate the law enforcement community about a law that is already on the books.

“This grant not only helps the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation with our mission to educate, but affords us the opportunity to implement a strategy around a law that is already in place," Cox said. "We will now be able to raise awareness and educate law enforcement and district attorneys that hate crimes are happening in Tennessee and there is something they can do.

I am also very pleased that national organizations are taking notice of Tennessee and are funding our activities. Thanks to The State Equality Fund and Tide Foundation for their support.”

For further information on the project and to find out how to volunteer, please contact Shawn Stewart at drstewhccs@yahoo.com.  To report a hate crime, go to http://www.tnep.org/html/hatecrimereport.php .

The Tennessee Equality Project Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in Tennessee to educate the public about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. Its board and funding are distinct from the Tennessee Equality Project.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less