Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a law confirming that parents with anti-LGBTQ views are allowed to foster and adopt queer kids. The law comes after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new rule requiring LGBTQ foster kids to be placed in supportive environments.
LGBTQ+ foster youths could expect different experiences as Tennessee and Colorado pass opposing laws
The Tennessee and Colorado legislatures have passed bills that would have vastly different impacts on LGBTQ+ foster children. Tennessee’s Republican governor and Colorado’s Democratic governor are expected to sign the bills into law in the coming days or weeks.
One year after TN’s drag ban, rural actors tell the story of a trans woman who survived Nazi Germany
The play “I Am My Own Wife” comes to Nashville’s Darkhorse Theatre on March 15 and 16.
A bill that would ban Pride flags in schools hits a major roadblock in Tennessee’s senate
Legislation known as the Flag Bill has passed the House and has made it to the last stop in the Senate, but it may never get a vote. The bill would list out when and which flags a school or its employees may display on campus. But Senate Speaker Randy McNally has concerns.
DOJ sues Tennessee over law targeting people with HIV
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Tennessee over a statute that imposes harsher penalties against those living with HIV.
Elected officials in Tennessee can now refuse to marry same-sex couples under new law
While the wording of the bill is not striking, it could create a way for LGBTQ couples to have their fundamental right to marry denied.
Murfreesboro to pay $500,000 in settlement over its anti-LGBTQ ordinance
The City of Murfreesboro has settled in a lawsuit over its controversial policy on LGBTQ events.
‘Just the beginning:’ Nashville holds first blood drive for newly-eligible LGBTQ donors
Last year, the FDA ended a 40-year rule that prohibited gay and bisexual men from giving blood. On Friday, one Nashville man gave for the first time. “I kind of feel validated, because my blood was not good enough all these years.”
DOJ orders Tennessee to stop enforcing a statute, finding that it discriminates against people with HIV
Under Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law, people convicted of conducting sex work with HIV are put on the “violent sex offenders” list for life. The DOJ found the policy violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Tennessee’s Attorney General challenges federal proposal to require supportive environments for LGBTQ foster kids
Tennessee’s attorney general is leading 16 other states in opposing a federal proposal that would require LGBTQ foster kids be placed with families or facilities that are supportive of their identities.