Don't Say G_y bill passes to House Education Committee

Rep. Joey Hensley is the sponsor of the "Don't Say G_y" bill (HB0229).

The House Education Subcommitee voted in favor of an amended version of the "Don't Say G_y" bill (HB0229). The bill now heads to the House Education Committee.

Despite warnings of the message such a bill sends to students in Tennessee public schools, the subcommittee voted to silence a teacher's ability to have age-appropriate discussions with K-8 students when that discussion falls outside "natural human reproduction science." Even in its amended form, HB0229 and SB0049  marginalizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning students or their families.

During the hearing, Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) stated the amended version of the bill is in line with current curriculum and is consistent with what is already written in Title 49 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. If that is the case, then why would anyone advance this divisive legislation?

Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) said it best: this bill does not improve education and is a solution in search of a problem. It is unnecessary and has the potential to do harm. 

If you live in the district of a member of the House Education Committee, we encourage you to urge them to vote no on this bill. Click here to send a message to the full committee.

- Jonathan Cole