***Update 1.31.24 – HB1605, The Bill To Ban Classroom Pride Flags, Was Deferred In The House K-12 Subcommittee To 2/6/24.***
Image Credit: & Government of Prince Edward Island / CC & Kevin P. Considine
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The House K-12 Subcommittee is set to consider two pieces of legislation designed to provide additional protection of children from inappropriate materials and indoctrination in Tennessee public schools.
The following bills will be heard in the subcommittee’s meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2024:
HB1605, sponsored by State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61), would prohibit schools and school districts from displaying any flags other than the U.S. flag and the Tennessee state flag.
The legislation was brought after parents in Williamson County complained that teachers were displaying LGBTQ+ flags. Upset parents argued that classrooms should be neutral areas and should not have any symbols that are not aligned with the primary purpose of the class. However, the Williamson County school board stated that teachers had a first amendment right to display the flags.
The bill is co-sponsored by State Representative Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin-District 63). The Senate Bill 1722 (SB1722) is sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28).
HB1632, also sponsored by Bulso, would give a parent of a child who attends, or who is eligible to attend, a school operated by a local education agency or a public charter school the right to file a civil lawsuit against the LEA or charter school to enforce the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022.
Bulso stated previously that he created this legislation because the Act currently does not have an “express civil enforcement mechanism” and parents should have clarification that they did have a way to see a civil redress if an LEA failed to comply.
The corresponding Senate Bill 1858 (SB1858) is sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18).
To voice your support or opposition to the bills summarized above, use the information below to contact the House K-12 Subcommittee members prior to their scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 31st, 2024.
Kirk Haston (R-Chair) – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0750
Gino Bulso (R) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808
Chris Hurt (R) – rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2134
Bryan Richey (R) – rep.bryan.richey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3560
William Slater (R) – rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2534
Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3830
Todd Warner (R) – rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4170
Mark White (R) – rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4415
Sam McKenzie (D) – rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0768
4 Responses
I agree that no flags, other than the US and Tennessee State flags be flown or shown in the public schools.
It isn’t JUST “Pride Flags > “sponsored by State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61), would prohibit schools and school districts from displaying any flags other than the U.S. flag and the Tennessee state flag.”
That’s what it MUST be – teachers can’t bring their personal flags. ONLY the US and TN flags. NO exceptions or everyone will start bringing “flags”, which could be anything, even Palestinian flags.
Are county, local municipal and school flags/banners to be exempt also?
We must keep open space available for local representation.
There’s no legitimate reason for a flag that represents Queers to be in schools. In a Tennessee school we don’t even fly the Confederate Flag which would be far more appropriate than a Fag Flag.
US and State Flag + local is fine.