Lawmaker wants ‘gay-talk' banned from classroom

Tennessee children will be shielded from the word "homosexuality" if one lawmaker has his way. It's another contentious debate that could find its way to the State House this week.

Watch the video from this NEWSCHANNEL 5 story here.

"We're not going to teach about topics that I think should be taught at home in the first place. We're not going to teach about homosexuality, the homosexual lifestyle, the lesbian lifestyle, the transgendered lifestyle. We're going to leave that up to families to decide when it's age appropriate, when it isn't appropriate, and what they want to tell their children," said State Rep. Stacey Campfield, (R) Knoxville.

House Bill 29-97 is slated to file through a House sub-committee Tuesday about the time an army of opponents plan to appeal to lawmakers for equal rights. The Tennessee Equality Project said Campfield's proposal to teach exclusively hetero-sexuality is an embarrassment and an attack on the spirit of education.

Chris Sanders, TN Equality Project:  "Teachers don't have to advocate one side or the other. But they do have to give opportunity for students to explore those issues and debate those issues -- particularly in 7th and 8th grade when they're learning to think critically," said Chris Sanders with the Tennessee Equality Project.

It is a divisive issue. But some teachers, who stick to science, teaching physiology over feelings, are square in the middle. Parent of three and former teacher, Lisa Howard said taking the word from textbooks doesn't make homosexuality go away.

"It's really not fair to the student population to shun the topic, because of a lot of their peers are gay," said Howard.

Campfield said his classroom idea doesn't have a pro-gay or anti-gay slant. He said it's more middle of the road and adds the GLBT or the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community should thank him for protection.

"There could be a teacher out there who is preaching, or teaching, against, against the lifestyle.. saying how terrible, rotten, evil it is. And what this bill would do is say, that teacher has to be quiet just as much," said Campfield.

Tuesday, roughly 100 members of the GLBT community and their supporters will be on Capitol Hill for the fourth-annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill.

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