Derailed "Don't Say Gay" Bill in TN Shows How Your Voice

A proposed law to prohibit discussion of any sexual orientation in Tennessee schools other than heterosexuality, sometimes called "No Promo Homo" laws, was essentially killed for another year yesterday. GLSEN Public Policy Associate Alison Gill talks about how GLSEN supporters like you can make a difference in defeating bad policies like this.

Last week the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) told us about a scary bill moving through the K-12 Education Subcommittee of the Tennessee House. HB0821, also called the "Don’t Say Gay" bill, would prevent Tennessee teachers and schools from discussing sexual orientation other than heterosexuality. A law like this can make LGBT students feel invisible and could cut them off from resources they need, such as supportive teachers.

When TTPC told us that the K-12 Subcommittee was to consider the bill this Wednesday, we emailed an Action Alert to our networks in Tennessee, warning them about the bill. Fortunately, we have very strong networks in Tennessee thanks to a lot of great local organizing by GLSEN supporters and student leaders such as Conrad Honicker.

Combined with local efforts such as TTPC's, we were able to apply significant pressure on the subcommittee to drop the bill. And we were successful! On Wednesday, the Tennessee K-12 Subcommittee decided not to take up the bill, which should kill the "Don’t Say Gay" bill for at least another year.

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