PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
  1. Signatures
    1,200 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of TN (+ 15 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The Governor of TN
      • State Rep. Bill Dunn (TN-016)
      • State Rep. Joey Hensley (TN-070)
      • State Rep. Joe Carr (TN-048)
      • State Rep. Harry Brooks (TN-019)
      • State Rep. Kevin Brooks (TN-024)
      • State Rep. John DeBerry (TN-090)
      • State Rep. Lois DeBerry (TN-091)
      • State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (TN-082)
      • State Rep. Ron Lollar (TN-099)
      • State Rep. Debra Maggart (TN-045)
      • State Rep. Richard Montgomery (TN-012)
      • State Rep. James Naifeh (TN-081)
      • State Rep. Joe Pitts (TN-067)
      • State Rep. Beth Harwell (TN-056)
      • Tennessee State House Subcommittee on Education
  2. Created By
    Jonathan Cole
    Memphis, TN
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

The House sponsor of last year’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill has requested that the legislation be put on notice in the House General Subcommittee on Education.

A version of the bill passed the Senate last year despite the embarrassing spotlight cast on Tennessee. As originally proposed, the HB0229/SB0049 states that “ no public elementary or middle school shall provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.”

This bill endangers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students by preventing students who face harassment and discrimination from accessing needed information and resources. The bill will make it more difficult for LGBT students to discuss harassment with and seek guidance from supportive teachers and staff.

The Don’t Say Gay bill is an unnecessary state mandate on local school districts which will silence students, impede local control of schools, and subject vulnerable students to increased isolation, bullying and harassment.

Tell members of the State House General Subcommittee on Education to vote against HB0229

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Vote against HB0229

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Tennessee State House Subcommittee on Education.

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Vote against HB0229

Tennessee drew negative attention nationwide when a version of the “Don’t Say G_y” bill passed the Senate last year. I was embarrassed for Tennessee for the intolerant message this proposed law sends.

As originally proposed, the HB0229/SB0049 states that “ no public elementary or middle school shall provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.”

This bill endangers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students by preventing students who face harassment and discrimination from accessing needed information and resources. The bill will make it more difficult for LGBTQ students to discuss harassment with and seek guidance from supportive teachers and staff.

The Don’t Say G_y bill is an unnecessary state mandate on local school districts which will silence students, impede local control of schools, and subject vulnerable students to increased isolation, bullying and harassment.

Keep Tennessee out of the headlines in 2012. Please speak against and vote no on HB0229 when the bill comes before the House Subcommittee on Education.

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Sincerely,

[Your name]

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