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A resolution urging the Tennessee General Assembly to reject HB0800/SB1216 seeking to prohibit LEAs from utilizing textbooks or instructional materials addressing LGBT issues or lifestyles.
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WHEREAS, on February 9, 2021, State Representative Bruce Griffey introduced HB0800 proposing to prohibit the state board of education from approving for local adoption or from granting a waiver for, and LEAs and public charter schools from adopting or using textbooks and instructional materials or supplemental materials that promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender issues or lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, on February 11, 2021, State Senator Frank Niceley filed the companion Senate Bill 1216; and
WHEREAS, neither bill moved out of committee to the floor during the 2021 legislative session but are still on the calendar and under consideration for the 2022 legislative session; and
WHEREAS, banning discussion of LGBTQ people in schools is an effort to silence and shame, to divide and disrespect, when all students should feel safe to learn about themselves and each other, and this includes LGBTQ students and families served by school districts in every county in Tennessee, and
WHEREAS, there are ten elected officials, covering all three grand divisions in the State of Tennessee, who openly identify as LGBTQ; and
WHEREAS, of the ten, two are members of the General Assembly: Representative Eddie Mannis and Representative Torrey Harris, five are members of the Metropolitan Council: Councilmember Russ Bradford, Councilmember Nancy VanReece, Councilmember Zach Young, Councilmember Brett Withers, and Councilmember Emily Benedict, and three are members of the Judiciary, Judge Jennifer Smith, Judge Rachel Bell, and Judge Paula Skahan; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that elected officials in the State of Tennessee should be welcome and visible in the history of our State.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as opposing HB0800/SB1216 seeking to prohibit LEAs from utilizing textbooks or instructional materials addressing LGBT issues or lifestyles.
Section 2. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record urging the Tennessee General Assembly, its Committees, and the Governor to reject HB0800/SB1216 seeking to prohibit LEAs from utilizing textbooks or instructional materials addressing LGBT issues or lifestyles.
Section 3. The Metropolitan County Council hereby requests that the Tennessee General Assembly respect that all the people of our great state are worthy of recognition, inclusion, and celebration.
Section 4. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to the Tennessee General Assembly and to Governor Bill Lee.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.