Opinion: Tennessee Legislature Wages Total War On LGBTQ Citizens

Sometimes you feel like the Tennessee General Assembly gets its ideas from a focus group of bigots without access to running water or power, who believe that public education is a bigger threat to their children than opioids and that Jesus is the governor and Bill Lee is just keeping his seat warm. This year, that focus group and the Republican legislative swine who eat at their trough, have decided that it's been too long since Tennessee just went whole hog against the gays, and for good measure made sure that women shouldn't have pesky rights like access to safe abortions. And next week, these KKKristian KKKnights of the Republican party will ramp up their Crusade to destroy the rights of LGBTQ citizens to new excesses.

The LGBTQ community in Tennessee is used to having to execute a fighting retreat against the Republican Christofascist forces of hatred that run this state, but this year it's taken to a whole new level. If we are going to stay, we'll have to struggle harder than before, and try to lose as little ground as possible. These people want to pass laws that restrict our access to healthcare, to housing and jobs, and to equal participation in education and sports: they want to push us into the dark corners where we lose our children to deaths in despair.

Below is a list of [at least most of] the anti-LGBTQ bills that we face JUST NEXT WEEK! Follow Tennessee Equality Project's Facebook page to find events and opportunities to stand up for our rights.

Mon Mar 9^th 1:00pm - House Hearing Rm III, Joint Council on Pensions and Insurance

MEMBERS: CHAIR B. Watson (R); VICE CHAIR S. Lynn (R); P. Hazlewood (R); B. Ogles (R); P. Bailey (R); B. Gilmore (D); T. Gardenhire (R); J. Johnson (R); J. Hensley (R); J. Stevens (R); W. Lamberth (R); A. Holt (R); G. Hicks (R); R. Staples (D)

Mon March 9th 1:45pm and Wed March 11^th- 2:30pm Senate Hearing Rm I, Senate Health & Welfare Committee

MEMBERS: CHAIR R. Crowe (R); VICE CHAIR F. Haile (R); 2ND VICE CHAIR S. Reeves (R); J. Hensley (R); E. Jackson (R); B. Massey (R); A. Swann (R); B. Watson (R); J. Yarbro (D)

Tue 3/10/20 10:30am - House Hearing Rm III, House Public Health Subcommittee

MEMBERS: CHAIR J. Sexton (R); V. Dixie (D); M. Hill (R); L. Miller (D); B. Terry (R); J. VanHuss (R); R. Williams (R)

Tue 3/10/20 4:30pm - House Hearing Rm III, House Education K-12 Subcommittee

MEMBERS: CHAIR J. Ragan (R); A. Parkinson (D); V. Dixie (D); S. Cepicky (R); J. Sexton (R); J. Windle (D); M. White (R); T. Weaver (R); I. Rudder (R); K. Haston (R)

Wed 3/11/20 8:30am - Senate Hearing Rm I, Senate Government Operations Committee

MEMBERS: CHAIR K. Roberts (R); VICE CHAIR E. Jackson (R); 2ND VICE CHAIR J. Bowling (R); M. Bell (R); R. Crowe (R); S. Kyle (D); M. Pody (R); P. Rose (R); B. Powers (R)

Wed 3/11/20 2:00pm - House Hearing Rm II, House Children & Families Subcommittee

MEMBERS: CHAIR M. Littleton (R); M. Curcio (R); C. Johnson (R); J. Potts (D); I. Rudder (R)

Wed 3/11/20 3:30pm - House Hearing Rm II, House Cities & Counties Subcommittee

MEMBERS: CHAIR J. Moon (R); K. Calfee (R); J. Crawford (R); L. Lamar (D); R. Travis (R); D. Wright (R); R. Grills (R)