Bill To Restrict LGBTQ+ Promotion In TN Classroom Materials Passes House Subcommittee

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

An amended version of House Bill 0800 that seeks to limit the usage of textbooks and materials that promote or normalize the LBGTQ+ lifestyle passed the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee yesterday, March 2nd.

House Bill 0800 (HB0800) sponsored by Representative Bruce Griffey (R-Paris-District 75), first filed for introduction on February 9th, 2021, seeks to prohibit  the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission from recommending or listing, the state board of education from approving for local adoption or from granting a waiver for, and LEAs and public charter schools from adopting or using textbooks and instructional materials or supplemental instructional materials that promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender issues or lifestyles.

The bill faced two amendments before being heard by the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee yesterday.

The first amendment changed the effective date of the bill to be July 1st, 2022.

The second amendment changed to the bill so that it would only apply to textbooks and instructional materials purchased subsequent to the effective date of July 1st, 2022. 

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In explaining the intent of his bill to the subcommittee, Griffey stated that House Bill 800 seeks to limit the influence on children of LBGTQ materials that normalize and promote associated behaviors by removing them from school curriculums. 

“This is an issue parents have approached me about.  They think that the sexuality (teachings) of children should be left up to parents, not something that’s promoted or dealt with in our school system.  We should focus on reading, writing and the core basics of education in Tennessee.  That’s what the bill does,”  Griffey said.

Democrat Bob Freeman (Nashville-District 56) argued that suicide rates among transgender and LBGTQ students is higher for those that attend schools that do not affirm their lifestyle versus those that do not.

“I’m embarrassed that we’re talking about this today,” Freeman said.

Addressing Griffey, Freeman asked, “Are you afraid it’s going to turn our youth gay? Is that your fear?” 

Griffey replied, “My position is that many parents have approached me and are concerned about this issue.  They feel like our public schools are not the place for these subjects to be discussed.  And they are worried about indoctrination.”

Representative Chris Todd (R-Madison County-District 73) voiced his support for the bill, “This topic and the promotion of this behavior is appropriate in other venues,  but not in school.  Schools have gotten off the rails with things like this and we need to get back on the rails.  The outcomes of our students in the state are showing that and it’s time we show the taxpayers some better return on their investment and I think this is a good first step.”

With the amendments to the bill approved, votes were taken and the Ayes had it, recommending the bill for passage. Next, the bill will be heard before the full House Finance, Ways and Means Committee on March 8th.

If you would like to offer support for this bill, contact the Committee members prior to their meeting on March 8th. The contact info for the Republican members (who hold the supermajority vote) follows:

House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee – Republican Members:

Patsy Hazlewood (chair) – rep.patsy.hazlewood@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2746

Charlie Baum (vice-chair) – rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6849

Scotty Campbell – rep.scotty.campbell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2050

John Crawford – rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7623

Jeremy Faison – rep.jeremy.faison@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6871

Ron Gant – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890

Johnny Garrett – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3893

John Gillespie – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8201

David Hawk – rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7482

Gary Hicks – rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7480

William Lamberth – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980

Susan Lynn – rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7462

Brandon Ogles – rep.brandon.ogles@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808

Jerry Sexton – rep.jerry.sexton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2534

Mike Sparks – rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6829

Chris Todd – rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7475

Sam Whitson – rep.sam.whitson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1864

Ryan Williams – rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1875

Jason Zachary – rep.jason.zacahry@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2264

Companion bill SB1216 was passed on first and second consideration and referred to the Senate Education Committee. It has not been placed on the calendar at this time.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com