It is time for GLBT people to pull double duty as two bills that could affect the GLBT community will be heard this week.
Rep. Joey Hensley (R) last week chose not to present his bill banning anyone but straight married couples from using embryo donation as a way to have a child. He rescheduled the bill for 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31 .
A companion bill brought by Sen. Diane Black (R) was placed on notice to be heard Wednesday, April 1, at 8 a.m.
The bill would allow only straight, married couples to "adopt" an embryo for transfer to the "adoptive" birth mother. Passage of this legislation would mean that single women and gay and lesbian couples would be banned from using in vitro.
"This can get pretty complex and personal given the number of reasons why one chooses in vitro as a way to have a child," said Tennessee Equality Project President Christopher Sanders. "It's as different as every individual or couple as to why they want to conceive. What's scary about the bill is that it cuts off these options for a lot of people, straight and gay."
If the Embryo Ban Bill passes, it would cost the state around $56,000, Sanders said.
"This may not sound like much, but it is a whole lot in a year when budget cuts are the norm," Sanders said.
Fight for your rights
Sanders offers these tips for fighting the House Bill:
* Email your State House of Representatives member letting them know you are opposed to HB2159 by Rep. Hensley. Also, contact members of the Family Justice Subcommittee.
* Your Message: I am opposed to HB2159 because if passed, it would ban unmarried couples and single persons from utilizing embryo transfer as an option to have a child. Also, passage of the bill would cost the State over $50,000, including hiring a new employee at a time when all budgets are being cut. It is EXTREMELY important that you mention the cost of implementing this legislation.
* Contact the lawmakers BEFORE the hearing, which is Tuesday, 9:15 AM CDT, in House Family Justice Subcommittee.
For the Senate Bill:
* Email your State Senator letting them know you are opposed to SB2136 by Senator Diane Black.
* Your message is the same. If passed, SB2136 would ban unmarried couples and single persons from utilizing embryo transfer as an option to have a child. Also, passage of the bill would cost the State over $50,000, including hiring a new employee at a time when all budgets are being cut.
* Contact the committee members and your Senator BEFORE the bill is debated, Wednesday, April 1st, 8:00 AM CDT, in Senate Judiciary Committee. Remember to mention this bill would cost if enacted. Money does matter to these lawmakers.