Tennessee Republican lawmakers have
introduced a bill which would allow businesses and individuals to
discriminate against gays.
State Senator Brian Kelsey and Rep.
Bill Dunn, both Republicans, have introduced similarly worded bills
in their respective chambers.
“As introduced, permits persons and
religious or denominational organizations, based on sincere religious
belief, to refuse to provide services or goods in furtherance of a
civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by the
Tennessee Constitution,” the bill's text reads.
A constitutional amendment banning gay
marriage was overwhelmingly (81%) approved by voters in 2006.
“Does that mean refuse medical
services to an individual in a same-sex couple? Does that mean
refuse to sell food to a same-sex couple? How far are they willing
to go?” the Tennessee Equality Project, the state's largest LGBT
rights advocate, asked
in a Facebook post.
At least two other states, Kansas
and South
Dakota, are considering similar legislation.