Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Despite contentions from committee Democrats, on Wednesday the House State & Local Government Committee passed a bill which will prevent Pride flags from being displayed in state-owned facilities, including schools, and ensure there is no governmental recognition of a “Pride Month”.
The “No Pride Flag or Month Act”, HB1474, would mandate LGBTQ flags or emblems cannot be displayed or maintained on property owned by the state, any political subdivision of the state, or on any building or grounds or 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.
Democrats have protested the bill since its inception, previously calling it “mean spirited” and inaccurately claiming it would prevent any image of a rainbow from being displayed.
During Wednesday’s committee meeting, things became heated when Rep. Bo Mitchell who used his discussion time to rant in at bill sponsor Gino Bulso in a manner Bulso afterward called “impertinent”.
“Do some legislation to help people. Do something to like feed a child, educate a child, build a road, create a job. But just these hate bills, one after another, doesn’t it just get to you? Don’t you, when you lay down to sleep at night, doesn’t it bother you at all? I just get so sick of over and over and over the hate. God help you,” Mitchell said.
In response, Bulso reiterated that “the classroom is no place for political flags of any kind. We have parents who are concerned, legitimately, about kids being indoctrinated in our public schools. And when they bring proposals for legislation to me as their elected representative, I am very happy to support them because I agree that political flags do not belong in our classrooms or government buildings.”
Bulso’s further response referring to Joe Biden’s hanging of the Pride flag in a place of prominence at the White House caused Mitchell to then digress into insults about President Trump and the Epstein files, with Committee Chairman John Crawford having to remind members to “please control yourselves” when the exchange was over.
After more Democrat questions, Republican Rep. Todd Warner called the question on the bill, closing debate, and the committee voted 16-6 along party lines in favor of the bill.
After the vote, Chairman Crawford ordered at least one audience member removed who began shouting. A woman called Crawford “a liar”, claiming she had signed up for testimony on the bill but was not being allowed to speak and could be heard yelling, “Shame on you, shame on this whole body! You know better than to treat democracy like this- shameful!” as she was escorted from the room.
HB1474 will now head to the House Judiciary Committee before it can be considered on the House floor.
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
Good!!