Gay adoption bill defeated in committee

This morning a proposed bill that would prevent gay people from adopting was handed a significant defeat in a key committee.

The Tennessee House Children and Family Affairs Committee voted 11 to 9 to defeat the bill, with House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (D – Covington) taking the unusual step of speaking to the committee and voting against the bill.

While there are other procedures which could keep the bill alive, the defeat in the committee was significant.

“We would like to thank Speaker Naifeh and the members of the House of Representatives who voted against the bill, said Chris Sanders, spokesman for the Tennessee Equality Project. “They showed leadership in standing up for the children of Tennessee and standing against discrimination. This was a joint effort of the Tennessee Equality Project and the American Civil Liberties Union."

The Greater Nashville Lambda Deomcrats also took part in lobbying against the bill, according to GNLD President Jennifer Nash.

Naifeh told committee members that he had spoken to his daughters about the bill, and they “said that discrimination was wrong.”  He said that he had spoken with high school students in Haywood County (in the district he represents) and they thought the bill was wrong.

"We are very grateful to the 11 legislators who stood up for 'the best interest of the child' and did not allow the political posturing of those supporting the bill to influence their vote," said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the Tennessee ACLU chapter. "This adoption ban bill would have punished children by restricting the number of adoptive homes available. In addition, by singling out lesbians and gay persons for categorical exclusion from the pool of adoptive parents, when there is no child welfare basis for doing so, the bill violated the guarantee of equal protection under the law."

An amended version of the bill, sponsored by Chris Clem (R-Lookout Mountain), had been put before the House Domestic Relations Subcommittee, who approved the version that said married couples would be given priority in the adoption process, but that individuals (gay or straight) may adopt. Clem’s original bill would have prohibited any “practicing homosexual” from adopting children.

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.

Keep readingShow less
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.

Keep readingShow less

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.

Keep readingShow less