A Tennessee House panel on Tuesday
approved a proposed bill which would outlaw the discussion of sexual
minorities in Tennessee's public schools before the ninth grade.
The measure – dubbed the “Don't
Say Gay” bill – cleared the House Education Committee on an 8-7
vote.
The Senate approved the controversial
bill last year. Republican state Senator Stacey Campfield first
introduced the legislation seven years ago in the House.
(Related: “Don't
Say Gay” Stacey Campfield denied service over anti-gay views.)
Rep. Joey Hensley, the bill's sponsor
in the House, told The
Tennessean that the measure was needed because it would add a
layer of accountability to current policy.
“I have two children – in the third
and fourth grade – and don't want them to be exposed to things I
don't agree with,” Hensley said. “Even though the state board
disallows this now, I'm afraid it does happen, and sex education is
talked about in a way that it is acceptable.”
The move comes after Governor Bill
Haslam reiterated his opposition to the measure.
“It's not something that I think is
particularly helpful or needed right now,” Haslam said last month.
“I think the state already has rules in place about what can be
taught.”
(Related: Modern
Family's
Jesse Tyler Ferguson responds to “Don't Say Gay” supporter's
claims.)