Today's parole hearing for James Michael Spann, convicted of the 1994 murder of Karie Ann Newberry in Dickson County, brings…
Author: Michael Eric Williams
Official site of Michael Eric Williams. Discover trauma-informed writing on LGBTQ+ advocacy, prison reform, and public policy from a Nashville-based expert.
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SCOTUS SB1 Ruling: The Crisis for TN Transgender Inmates
The 6-3 Supreme Court decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender teenagers has officially rewritten…
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LGBTQ+ Support in TN Prisons: The Story of Be the Change
Be the Change is the first openly LGBTQ+ community network within the Tennessee prison system. Founded in 2014 by Tavaria…
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My Journey to Speak the Uncomfortable Truth
On a Sunday afternoon in June 1987, my father, Felton Williams, walked into our backyard with his shotgun and took…
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A Tennessee Prison Is Leaving LGBTQ People Unhoused Behind Bars
South Central Correctional Center leaves LGBTQ people to fight for their own safety In the United States, it is possible…
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Tennessee Can Make Legal Help More Accessible
Tennessee faces an access-to-justice crisis where many residents cannot afford legal representation for civil matters. The Tennessee Supreme Court is…
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Reforming Nashville’s Justice System: A Call for Change
Tennessee’s incarceration rate isn’t just high — it’s dramatically worse than the already extreme national average. Our state imprisons people…
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The Hidden Crisis of LGBTQ+ Incarceration in Nashville Jails
When we think about criminal justice reform in Nashville, we often focus on sentencing guidelines, recidivism rates, and rehabilitation programs.…
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Ashley Diamond Sues the Georgia Prison System Again
Ashley Diamond, a Black transgender activist, is suing the Georgia Department of Corrections for a second time. Despite previous legal…
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Surviving the System and Violence Against LGBTQ+ Inmates
For LGBTQ+ inmates a minor charge can turn into a life sentence of trauma The Silent Epidemic Behind Bars When…
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The Brother I Never Knew, The Secret That Changed My Life and Career
People often ask why I made a radical career shift so late in life. The answer is simple, but the…