Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam Friday signed into law HB 1111 — a measure that could undermine certain protections under state law for women and LGBTQ people in an effort to challenge the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision on marriage equality. The new law requires courts and agencies apply a so-called “natural” meaning interpretation…
Today, the Tennessee General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1085/House Bill 1111. If signed into law, SB 1085/ HB 1111 could invalidate marriages of LGBTQ couples and legal documents that affirm a transgender person’s true identity by stating that any “undefined” words be given their “natural and ordinary meaning.” The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Haslam’s…
A Tennessee Senate Commerce and Labor Committee has voted to advance SB 127 — legislation promoting taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBTQ Tennesseans and their families. The discriminatory proposal would prohibit state agencies and municipalities from requiring businesses, organizations, contractors and grantees, to not have policies that discriminate against LGBTQ people. SB 127 states, “A government entity shall not…
ENCINITAS, Calif. — Prompted by Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signing into law a bill allowing mental health professionals to deny service to prospective LGBTQ patients if it conflicts with their religious convictions, The Centers for Spiritual Living made the decision to cancel a contract with the Sheraton Hotel in Nashville, where it was scheduled to…
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Thursday, Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee followed in the footsteps of North Carolina’s Governor Pat McCrory and Mississippi’s Governor Phil Bryant to become the latest to sign into law discriminatory “religious freedom” legislation targeting the LGBTQ community. Tennessee’s HB 1840/SB 1556 permits counselors to deny services and refer clients based on the provider’s “strongly held beliefs”…
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights today issued a statement regarding recent state laws passed, and proposals being considered, in the states of North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kansas. The full statement follows: The United States Commission on Civil Rights strongly condemns recent state laws passed, and proposals being considered, under the guise…
Tennessee's Anti-Gay Tourism Commercial from Funny Or Die Not slow to respond to the rash of anti-LGBT legislation being passed in the South, Funny or Die now turn their attention to Tennessee! So, visit Tennessee, home of the Volunteers, Elvis Presley and a new anti-LGBT counseling bill signed into law by Republican Governor Bill Haslam…
Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery III has warned that the state could lose millions of dollars in federal funding if lawmakers move forward with legislation restricting transgender students’ access to bathroom facilities consistent with their gender identity. In an opinion released Monday, Slatery writes: “In sum, if a transgender student is required by a school…
Some of the biggest stars in the country music industry are uniting with pediatricians and child welfare advocates, civil rights organizations, the business community and supporters of equality to oppose legislation in Tennessee attacking transgender students in public schools and universities. Emmylou Harris, Chely Wright, Ty Herndon, Miley Cyrus, and Country Music Television are speaking…
Today, the Tennessee General Assembly voted to pass House Bill 1840, also known as Hate Bill 1840, which will permit counselors to deny services and refer clients based on the provider’s “strongly held religious beliefs.” The bill now returns to the Tennessee Senate for a vote. The American Counseling Association called on Speaker Harwell and…
