TN: Legislature Likely to Consider Gay Marriage/Civil Union Ban This Year

As the Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes this month, the state’s LGBT political leaders say that from adoption rights to discrimination issues, there will be many bills worth watching. Despite wins in Memphis and Nashville for the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in nondiscrimination policies, the political landscape remains fairly inhospitable for many LGBT concerns. With an election looming in the fall and enormous budgetary issues that will likely dominate the session, it’s unclear what traction bills favorable to the community might gain. ... Hot-button debates are likely to occur over a proposed adoption ban for unmarried couples, which has been seen as a back-door way to disallow gay men and lesbians to adopt, as well as civil-union legislation that would preemptively ban not only gay marriage but also any other type of union with legal ramifications. In an election year, and with a body whose conservative majority is seeking to expand its presence, those bills are a given, said Christopher Sanders, TEP’s chair. Full Story from Out & About: http://www.outandaboutnewspaper.com/article/3805

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