Tennessee House passes stringent restrictions on pride flags in schools

[Jessica_Rose]

Tennessee House passes stringent restrictions on pride flags in schools

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tennessee-house-passes-stringent-restrictions-on-pride-flags-in-schools/ar-BB1iZClm?ocid=windirect&cvid=44c19860d18d457589690df092af9f97&ei=70

Story by Brooke Migdon (27 Feb 2024)

Tennessee's Republican-controlled House voted Monday to approve legislation that would largely prevent pride flags from being displayed in public school classrooms...

The measure, House Bill 1605, would prohibit local education agencies from displaying flags other than the United States flag and the Tennessee state flag in public schools.

While the bill does not mention LGBTQ pride flags outright, GOP state lawmakers have said it is meant to restrict them.

Republican state Rep. Gino Bulso, the bill's primary sponsor in the House, on Monday said he drafted the bill after several parents and one school board member in his district complained that "certain teachers and counselors were displaying a pride flag" in their classrooms despite objections by parents.

"When you look at the issue that's before the body this evening, it is simply this: Do parents have the right to instill values in their own children that they agree with? I think everyone can answer that question 'yes,'" Bulso said during Monday's floor debate on the bill.

Tennessee Democrats responded by arguing the bill disregards the rights of LGBTQ parents and parents who support the LGBTQ community. It would also fuel stigma against LGBTQ people, particularly students, they say.