Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A bill declaring that “the policy of this state is that there are only two sexes, a biological male and a biological female” passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7-1 vote on Tuesday afternoon.
Senate Bill 936 (SB0936) is sponsored by Sen. Paul Rose (R- Lauderdale/Shelby/Tipton Counties-District 32) and the corresponding House Bill 1271 (HB1271) is sponsored by Rep. Mark Cochran (R- Englewood-District 23).
As Sen. Rose noted in committee, this legislation works hand in hand with President Donald Trump’s recent Executive Order which states that, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.”
“This bill simply states there are two sexes. Male or female. I looked on the website before I came down here Mr. Chairman, and at this moment there are seventy-two gender identities,” Sen. Rose said in committee. “Sex and gender are defined as immutable biological characteristics, determined by anatomy and genetics at birth.”
According to Sen. Rose, the requirements of this legislation are as follows:
- By July 1st, 2025, all local and state government entities must revise any existing references to sex or gender to align with sex as defined in Tennessee law.
- After that date, entities cannot adopt any policies or rules using a different definition.
- Tennessee residents may file complaints in chancery court if they believe a local government entity is non-compliant. Courts may issue a writ of mandamus to enforce compliance and impose penalties, including barring the entity from entering grant contracts with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
- Tennessee residents may report non-compliance of state government entities to the comptroller of the treasury. Non-compliant state agencies risk financial penalties, including withholding of general fund revenue and loss of grant eligibility. Repeated violations lead to increased financial penalties and mandatory appearances before the joint Government Operations Committee.
An exception to such violations would be that entities may accept birth certificates or other forms of identification that are valid and lawful in other states.
“Let’s say the University of Tennessee accepted a birth certificate from California,” said Sen. Rose. “They would not be in non-compliance, because in California they recognize, I think, multiple genders.”
Dahron Anneliese Johnson, a “clinically-trained United Church of Christ chaplain” and the Davidson County Committee Co-Chair for the Tennessee Equality Project, testified in opposition of SB0936.
The bill passed in Senate Judiciary by a 7-1 vote.
Republican Senators Bobby Harshbarger, Kerry Roberts, Paul Rose, John Stevens, Brent Taylor, Dawn White, and Todd Gardenhire voted in favor of the bill.
The only no vote was Democrat Senator Sara Kyle.
SB0936 will now be sent to the Senate Calendar Committee to be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor.
HB1271 is scheduled to begin its journey through the House committee process on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, in the Civil Justice Subcommittee.
HB1271 Summary: As introduced, declares that the policy of this state is that there are only two sexes, a biological male and a biological female.
Rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov, rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. Adelia is The Tennessee Conservative’s on-site reporter for the Tennessee General Assembly. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Thanx! Emailed them, “YES!!”, posted Tennesseans! Y’all help! to X.