Adoption bill may move 'off the table' this legislative session

With the support of thousands of emails sent in by Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) members and other concerned citizens, a bill that would have banned unmarried, cohabiting couples (gay and straight) from adopting, has been referred to a summer adoption study committee by the bill's sponsor.

"TEP does not envision the bill coming up on another calendar for the remainder of the year," said TEP President Christopher Sanders. 

Sanders cautioned against early celebration saying "we should note that we will not know the status of this bill for sure until the final gavel falls on the 105th General Assembly next month.  But we see the developments today as good news."

"We are grateful especially to you, our members, and those who are on our allies’ email lists for contacting your senators and representatives on this bill and other legislation," Sanders said.

The bill (SB 3910), proposed by Sen. Paul Stanley (R-Germantown), carried with it a $7 million price tag per year. The Fiscal Note on the bill indicates that the state would see annual increased state expenditures of $4,548,500 and an increase in federal expenditures of $2,838,700.

“The stories of Tennessee families affected, the research that demonstrates gay and lesbian parents provide stable, loving homes, and now a financial cost that is simply too high for our state to bear during the budget crunch," Sanders added.

Another group that fought to prevent the bill from passing was the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC).

"Those "other concerned citizens" include members of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC)," wrote Marisa Richmond, president of the TTPC, in an email to Out & About Newspaper. "Tennessee's oldest statewide GLBT political advocacy organization, and the first statewide GLBT political advocacy organization to have a lobbyist in the Tennessee General Assembly."

Richmond is also the lobbyist for the group.

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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