Tennessee passes 'Don't say gay' bill

The Tennessee Senate passed a bill on Friday that would bar teachers from discussing homosexuality with elementary and middle school students.

Under the legislation, dubbed by critics as the "don't say gay" bill, any instruction in public classrooms will be "limited exclusively to age-appropriate natural human reproduction science."

Republican Stacey Campfield, the bill's sponsor, says "homosexuals don't naturally reproduce" and has argued families should decide when its appropriate to talk with their children about homosexuality.

But gay rights activists are blasting the legislation, which passed 6-3, as a form of discrimination.

It "limits what teachers and students are able to discuss in the classroom," Ben Byers of the Tennessee Equality Project told LBGTQ Nation. "It means they can't talk about gay issues or sexuality even with students who may be gay or have gay family."

It's unlikely that the bill will be taken up by the House before lawmakers adjourn this spring, but Campfield said he would push it forward in 2012.

The bill, which was approved 19-11, passed the same day as Gallup released a poll revealing that American attitudes towards homosexuality are changing.

For the first time in Gallup polling history, the majority of Americans—53% believe same-sex marriage should be legal.

Passage of the bill would make Tennessee the first state to enact such legislation.

Initially, the bill read that no students will "provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality." Campfield said some of his colleagues were uncomfortable the language.

"There's more than one way to skin a cat," Campfield said after the legislation passed. "I got what I wanted."



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national...z1N4GRBFNj

Old generation farts... the reasons for this bill are lacking.

So basically they passed this in the event that a kid could hear about gays and turn gay... no offense but if that happens that kid wasn't very straight to begin with.

On a non-serious note: Anyone else think that picture of him makes him look diabolical.

Lastly: The only thing worse then the article are the comments. I didn't think people that stupid could use computers.

Like I've said over the past few weeks with regards to this bill, guess no more Gaga in Tennessee K-12 public schools. Born This Way is officially illegal.

What...
I think this is like the lowest of the low. Why do they care anyway.

Like I've said over the past few weeks with regards to this bill, guess no more Gaga in Tennessee K-12 public schools. Born This Way is officially illegal.

The bill is about discussion is it not?

Like I've said over the past few weeks with regards to this bill, guess no more Gaga in Tennessee K-12 public schools. Born This Way is officially illegal.

Out of all possible things, THIS is your post? I think you need to step away from that woman...

So basically they passed this in the event that a kid could hear about gays and turn gay...

Even if one believes that kids don't "turn gay" unless told about the option, this bill doesn't help. Kids will still hear about gays. The bill doesn't block the media.
So the kids can hear about homosexuality on a TV show, but they can't ask their teacher about it? Yeah, that's sure to clear things up in their minds.

What a hilariously stupid bill.

[video=youtube;dRkIWB3HIEs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dRkIWB3HIEs#at=94[/video]

This is gay. (bad joke luls)

Anyways, I would comment on this case, but it seems impossible without critizising Catholic Church or Republicans.

This is gay. (bad joke luls)

Anyways, I would comment on this case, but it seems impossible without critizising Catholic Church or Republicans.

Oh you can criticize Republicans. They're the ones that came up with the bill, with their usual rhetoric of "the American family" in mind.

On topic: No doubt there'll be appeals and calls for courts to review the constitutionality of the bill, so I doubt this bill will last long.

Oh you can criticize Republicans. They're the ones that came up with the bill, with their usual rhetoric of "the American family" in mind.

On topic: No doubt there'll be appeals and calls for courts to review the constitutionality of the bill, so I doubt this bill will last long.

It still needs to pass the Tennessee house. Not sure what the odds of that are.

The classroom is the best place to learn this kind of thing -_- if the teacher is presenting it in a biased manner, go after that.

The name of the bill and it's effect are misleading and stupid. I thought it was "saying gay is illegal" at first glance, but that would be unconstitutional.

The problem here is that in most countries old morons with ideals that are half a century out of date are the ones passing the law. How about we kick everyone over 50 out of governing positions, don't allow them a vote, and instead let the country be run by people who will actually have to live with the consequences of their actions.

I don't think we should be talking about sex period until high school. When I know about 12-15 year olds pregnant, it's stupid.

Dumb bill, but to be honest, in my opinion it doesn't really change anything. Who the hell talks about anal sex at elementary school, let alone any type of sex.

I don't think we should be talking about sex period until high school. When I know about 12-15 year olds pregnant, it's stupid.

Dumb bill, but to be honest, in my opinion it doesn't really change anything. Who the hell talks about anal sex at elementary school, let alone any type of sex.

Are you sure you understand the difference between "sexuality" and "sex"?

Are you sure you understand the difference between "sexuality" and "sex"?

Same way you understand religion and Christianity. A child of that age should not be able to determine whether he's gay or not, in fact only should start to realize it probably between 8th-10th grade.

The fact they don't understand is an even better reason to educate them.

Sex ed should happen before the kids have an opportunity to make mistakes on their own. We don't let people drive without learning how, why should they start having sex before they know how to do it safely?

Also, your own sexuality is not the only thing in question. What if your neighbors, relatives, friends are gay?

The fact they don't understand is an even better reason to educate them.

Sex ed should happen before the kids have an opportunity to make mistakes on their own. We don't let people drive without learning how, why should they start having sex before they know how to do it safely?

Also, your own sexuality is not the only thing in question. What if your neighbors, relatives, friends are gay?

Most "sex ed" courses are poorly funded, and frankly just give kids the tools to have sex. You don't really learn anything from sex ed besides abstinence, and if you're really horny use a condom, then birth control. It never tells you not to, it tells you how to without consequences. Things like "16 and pregnant" are what's responsible for the lowered teen pregnancy, the fear of your freedom being stripped from you, and being expose by not only a responsibility, but the greatest responsibility, really freaks kids out.

If anything we should just get kids to watch MTV.