Tennessee... could ban the LGBTQ Pride flag in schools

[Jessica_Rose]

Tennessee state lawmakers advance bill that could ban the LGBTQ Pride flag in schools

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tennessee-state-lawmakers-advance-bill-that-could-ban-the-lgbtq-pride-flag-in-schools/ar-BB1jqvG7?ocid=windirect&cvid=7654d14b4d81411ab9cf81a4479daeb8&ei=62

Story by Chandelis Duster (6 March 2024)

State lawmakers in Tennessee could soon pass a bill that would limit the types of flags that can be displayed in public schools, sparking outcry from LGBTQ advocates who say the measure is an attempt to ban the Pride flag and curtail free speech.

The Tennessee state House advanced HB 1605 to the state Senate Thursday, an amendment to the Tennessee Code that sets out which flags can be displayed in schools. The new bill designates several types of flags that can be displayed, including the U.S. flag, the official Tennessee state flag, and any flag that is protected by the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act.

Critics argue that including the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act in the amendment would allow the Confederate flag to be displayed, while banning the Pride flag.

Last month, during a Tennessee House education subcommittee hearing, Bulso said the bill "does not allow any other flag beyond the 10 that are listed" to be displayed, adding that the ban also includes "flags that teachers are currently using to indoctrinate students in a particular set of values, including the Pride flag which is becoming more ubiquitous in schools."

Several people at the hearing groaned in response to Bulso's claim that teachers were "indoctrinating" students by displaying the Pride flag.