Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody introduced a bill on February 10, 2021 that allows the biological father of an unborn fetus to prevent a woman who is pregnant with that fetus from having an abortion. No DNA test is required to prove paternity and the only proof of paternity needed is a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity from the father, which can be executed without the mother's signature. With this voluntary acknowledgement of paternity, the court can issue an injunction that prevents the pregnant woman from getting an abortion. This law allows no exceptions for rape or incest and the court may hold the woman in civil or criminal contempt if she gets an abortion.

This law explicitly allows a man's control over a woman's body. This gives abusers the power to force a woman into giving birth and prevents her from separating herself from him. No man or law should be able to dictate whether or not a woman gets an abortion and we must do all we can to stop this from happening. If signed by the governor, this will go into effect on July 1, 2021. Please sign this petition to let Tennessee's state legislature know that this bill is unacceptable and prevents a woman's right over her own body. In addition, if you live in Tennessee, please email your local legislatures to urge them to vote no on this bill.