Image Credit: TN General Assembly
Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
The “No Pride Flag or Month Act” failed in the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 2409 (SB2409), sponsored by State Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-D28), would mandate that LGBTQ flags or other emblems cannot be displayed or maintained on property owned by the state, any political subdivision of the state, or on any building or grounds of any such building by employees, volunteers, or agents of the state or its political subdivisions.
Additionally, the state would be prohibited from officially recognizing or acknowledging the month of June or any other time as an “LGBT pride period.” The mandate would apply to an employee, volunteer, or agent of the state who is working in their official capacity.
During discussion, State Senator Sara Kyle (D-Memphis-D30) stated that she felt it was an overreach for the body to try to micromanage what city and local governments do in regards to recognizing months for various reasons.
Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville-D21) also commented that trying to prevent any volunteer from displaying any emblem at any given time was “wildly overreaching on freedom of speech.”
Yarbro went on to say, “I think it’s wrong and inappropriate to target this group, but it’s wrong and inappropriate to target any group like this. We have freedom of thought here in America. We have freedom of speech.”
Republican Senator Page Walley (R-Savannah-D26) noted that he was “uncomfortable” with the “encroaching” of local government that was continuing to take occur and that he was “reluctant to remove local authority.”
Senator Tom Hatcher (R-Blount/Monroe/Polk/Bradley-D2) echoed those sentiments.
Chairman Richard Briggs concluded the discussion by stating that if one potentially offensive emblem is allowed, then others would have to be allowed as well.
The legislation in the vote with 3 ayes and 3 noes with 3 additional members present but not voting. Walley joined Democrats Kyle and Yarbro in voting against the bill, while Republican Senators Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-D10), Ed Jackson (R-Jackson-D25), and Hatcher chose not to vote.
The companion House Bill 1474 (HB1474), sponsored by State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-D61), passed the House State and Local Government Committee on February 18 and was sent to the House Judiciary Committee where it has been repeatedly deferred. It is currently on their April 1 calendar.
