Taylor Swift is among Tennesse’s celebs and businesses calling on lawmakers to reject two anti-LGBTI bills advancing in the state legislature.

The singer joined Amazon, Alliance Bernstein, the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and almost a dozen companies. They are opposing a bill that would allow faith-based adoption agencies to reject same-sex couples. Another bill that would defend public schools’ authority to restrict transgender students’ access to bathrooms.

Both bills have passed the state’s lower House chamber and are set to pass in the Senate today (30 April). Governor Bill Lee, who took office in January 2019, is expected to sign them.

Earlier this month, Tennessee-native bisexual actress Megan Fox also posted on Instagram about legislators trying to pass the anti-LGBTI laws.

Amazon signed an open letter

Amazon signed an open letter organized by the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The e-commerce giant is planning a $230 million campus for 5,000 new employees in Nashville.

‘Legislation that explicitly or implicitly allows discrimination against LGBT people and their families creates unnecessary liability for talent recruitment and retention, tourism, and corporate investment to the state,’ reads the letter.

Nashville-based Bridgestone North Americas also signed the letter. Dell Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., Postmates Inc. and other companies with big operations in the state are also among the signatories.

Money manager AllianceBernstein Holding LP was one of the first big firms to publicly denounce the legislation. The global asset management firm announced it was moving its headquarters to Nashville from Manhattan last year.

Taylor Swift donated to an LGBTI group

At the beginning of April, Taylor Swift made a $113,000 donation to the Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBTI advocacy group in the state.

‘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, she wrote in a letter accompanying her donation that the group posted to Facebook.

‘Please convey my heartfelt thanks to them and accept this donation to support the work you and these leaders are doing.’

The Delicate singer furthermore added, ‘I’m so grateful that they’re giving all people a place to worship.’

See also

Taylor Swift makes surprise appearance at gay couple’s engagement party

Taylor Swift gives emotional speech at concert a year after her sexual assault trial

Megan Fox makes plea to stop anti-LGBTI laws in Tennessee