MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release:  March 15, 2017

Contact:  Chris Sanders, 615-390-5252 or [email protected]

TN House to vote on HB1111 with clear links to attacks on same-sex couples and LGBT parents:  Video link included

Nashville, TN--The Tennessee House of Representatives takes up HB1111 by Rep. Andrew Farmer on Thursday morning, a bill the Tennessee Equality Project calls the “sneaky LGBT Erasure” bill because of its consequences for same-sex couples and LGBT parents.

The legislative summary reads:  “As introduced, requires that undefined words be given their natural and ordinary meaning, without forced or subtle construction that would limit or extend the meaning of the language, except when a contrary intention is clearly manifest.”  

The language is remarkably similar to SB30/HB33 whose summary reads:  “As introduced, requires that the words "husband," "wife," "mother," and "father" be given their natural and ordinary meaning, without forced or subtle construction that would limit or extend the meaning of the language and that are based on the biological distinctions between men and women, except when a contrary intention is clearly manifest.”

“The similarities are not a coincidence.  After the backlash that followed the obviously anti-LGBT SB30/HB33, there was a shift to HB1111,” notes Tennessee Equality Project executive director Chris Sanders.  “And now we have clear evidence of the connection between the two bills in a video by Family Action Council of Tennessee.  As well as being outraged by this attack on our relationships and our ability to be parents, we are disturbed that the organization lobbying for the bill is unconcerned that it is likely to be found unconstitutional.”

To see the video linking the bills, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4ZoHFLXrPc .

Tennessee Equality Project urges legislators to pause before rushing into an unconstitutional attack that would disrupt Tennessee families.  The last time Tennessee fought marriage equality, the state was liable for legal bills of about $2 Million.  

Over 80 Tennessee clergy have voiced opposition to HB1111 and other bills that are part of a “slate of hate” against the LGBT community.  Find their names here.

Individuals can contact their member of the Tennessee House about the bill using this link. 

Tennessee Equality Project is a statewide organization working the equality of LGBT Tennesseans.  For more information, go to TNEP.org .

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