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.
6 Responses
Look at that, the RINO’s do it again! Shame these people everyday.
Anyone who opposes this bill should be defeated.
Displaying any LGBTQ “flag or emblem” to include Pride/rainbow flags, equality symbols, or anything using “pride” to signal support for lesbianism, homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism, gender non-conformity, etc. on state-owned or political subdivision property, government buildings, public schools, etc. in an official capacity.
Supporters framed it as keeping government neutral on cultural/sexual issues, preventing taxpayer-funded endorsement of one viewpoint, and focusing public institutions on core functions rather than activism.
Noes (3, against): Sens. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville), London Lamar (D? wait, actually from reports: Kyle, Walley, Yarbro — Democrats).
Present and not voting (3 Republicans): Sens. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), Tom Hatcher (R-Blount County), Ed Jackson (R-Jackson). Their abstention effectively killed the bill.
Timing and priorities near session end: Committees were wrapping up calendars. Leadership or key members may have preferred to sideline controversial bills that could distract from must-pass items or energize opposition without guaranteed floor success. Multiple other socially conservative bills from the same package (e.g., challenging Obergefell recognition privately or rolling back Bostock-style protections) also stalled or were delayed around this time.
Opposition from Democrats and LGBTQ advocacy groups, Tennessee Equality Project, ACLU, etc. testified and mobilized against it, framing it as discriminatory. Public testimony and protests occurred earlier in the House process. While Republicans control the chamber, visible opposition can sway marginal votes, especially if some senators worry about national media optics or local business/constituent backlash.
Not a top priority for enough senators: Despite passing House committees earlier, the bill lacked the momentum or unified support needed in the Senate. Sponsor Bulso has pushed similar measures before without success; critics called parts of his agenda more performative signaling than viable policy.
While your discussion seems to make sense, it fails when it comes under consideration of ideology and perversion. imo. So now governments can fly any flag the individual province deems fit. The ACLU is correct, it IS discriminatory as it solely related to sex and the promotion thereof, and in its perverse form. And is particularly sad they are unable to put back into the closet this insistent need to promote diverse sexual preferences with a flag and month. This represents a tiny minority of the population. A loud one, but still a minority. We do not need to promote mental illness any longer. The adults are suppose to be in charge.
I would have to see the specifics of the legislation but if it does restrict local governments in any way I would vote against the legislation. I do belive that Government entities should not display flags or advocate for any particular group but it should left to locals to determine what is proper for their town, city or county. The State Legislators should restrict displays advocating for any particular group.
Lucifer won.