Image Credit: TN General Assembly & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill that would amend Tennessee Law so individuals and organizations could not be compelled to recognize same sex marriages will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
HB1473, by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61), states that private citizens and organizations would not be bound by the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment as dictated in Obergefell v Hodge and therefore are not “required to recognize a marriage or purported marriage between individuals of the same sex.”
It would also prohibit the Tennessee Judiciary board from disciplining, sanctioning, or threatening to discipline or sanction any person for “declining to celebrate or officiate at a marriage or commitment ceremony” that falls outside the state’s definition of marriage, which explicitly classifies the institution as between one man and one woman.
Bulso believes the U.S Supreme Court’s legalization of same sex marriage in 2015 was a federal overreach and that justices “used an interpretation of the 14th Amendment to accomplish what they couldn’t accomplish legislatively.”
He stated that his bill would help rectify that discrepancy by protecting individuals and private entities who are not going to be “compelled to do something to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.”
HB1473 passed the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee last week in a 5-1 vote along party lines.
The bill’s Senate companion, SB1746, is sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) and has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but does not have a calendar date yet.
This bill is one of several in an LGBT-focused slate Bulso is running this session, with legislation challenging other Supreme Court rulings about protected classes and banning Pride flags from state property. The other bills in the lineup are also set for their respective committee hearings this week.
Use the information below to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee if you wish to express support for HB1473:
Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov; rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov; rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Thanx, emailed committee, “Please stand against perversion, vote YES!!”