TN House Protects Teachers Rights To Refuse To Use Students’ Preferred Pronouns
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
The Tennessee House of Representatives has passed legislation that will prevent teachers from being forced to refer to students by their preferred pronouns instead of by those reflecting their biological sex.
House Bill 1269 (HB1269), sponsored by Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood-District 23), states that public school teachers, principals, and employees will not be required to refer to students by their preferred pronouns if those pronouns are not consistent with the student’s biological sex.
Cochran moved to conform to Senate Bill 0466 and noted that the bill did not prohibit school employees from using those preferred pronouns but instead protected first amendment rights for those who did not want to use them because of religious or other core beliefs.
The legislation generated some heated discussion after Democratic representatives called it a bill that “allowed bullying by teachers” and that violated the constitutional rights of students.
After an hour of debate, Representative Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) called for previous question to bring the bill to a vote. An objection was made but that objection was voted down.
In a final vote, the legislation passed with 72 ayes, 22 noes, and 1 present not voting. The vote was almost along party lines, with only one Republican voting against the bill. That no vote was cast by Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis-District 97).
The companion Senate Bill 0466, sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale, Shelby, Tipton Counties-District 32), was previously passed on April 6. The legislation will now move to Governor Lee’s desk to await final approval.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
