Bill Would Amend Tennessee Pronoun Law To Protect Individuals From Being Forced To Use Preferred Honorifics

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

As of last week, a bill that would amend the state’s pronoun law to protect individuals from being forced to use preferred honorifics along with preferred names and pronouns has been introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly.

In 2023, lawmakers passed legislation protecting the right of educators to choose not to refer to students by preferred pronouns in place of the pronouns that match a student’s biological gender.

Senator Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale/Shelby/Tipton-District 32) and Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood-District 23) who sponsored that legislation followed up with another bill last year to expand these protections to students as well.

Rose is partnering this year with Representative Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville-District 68) to sponsor legislation that would amend the law again to protect the rights of individuals to refuse to call a biological male “Miss,” “Ma’am” or “Mrs.” or a biological female “Mr.” or “Sir.”

Senate Bill 1665 (SB1655)  is a simple bill that amends the language in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-5102 to include “honorifics” along with names and pronouns.

The statute currently protects freedom of speech by not requiring teachers, public school employees or contractors, and students to use another person’s preferred pronouns or names that are inconsistent with their biological sex and protecting them from civil liability.

The law also  prohibits disciplinary action from being taken against students, or adverse action against educators, school employees or contractors for failure to use preferred pronouns if they don’t match an individual’s biological sex.

The Tennessee Conservative previously reported that a cross-dressing substitute teacher in a Hamilton County public school insisted that students address him using a female title.

The man was hired by a third party contractor that provides substitute teachers. 

In 2023, another gender confused individual was also found subbing in the same county.

In his explanation of the legislation on the House floor, Cochran reiterated that the bill’s aim was to provide protection against coerced speech for students, teachers, employees, and contractors of state government, state schools, and higher education facilities.

“Students, teachers, employees, and contractors or public schools and LEAs do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression while at work,” said Cochran. “Furthermore, protecting the right to free speech for students, teachers, and employees, we believe that that promotes an important state interest and protects constitutional rights.”

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.