Tennessee in controversy over anti-LGBTQ+ adoption bill

Governor of Tennessee Bill Lee signed an adoption law that is riddled with controversy from both sides of politics. Lee signed the new adoption law into effect on Jan. 24 and has since received backlash from many organizations.

The new law places Tennessee among the 11 states that assures continued taxpayer funding to faith-based adoption agencies even if they reject LGBTQ+ families based off their religious beliefs. Supporters of the new law say the it is to protect agencies’ religious freedom and from agencies from being discriminated against due to their religion. However, protestors say this is law is harmful for both the children in need of adoption and the LGBTQ+ community.

“Right now, if we just do laws and policies for LGBT youth and adults, the context is that you’re not welcome by laws and policies,” said Phyllis Thompson, director of the ETSU Women’s Studies Program and associate English professor.

Statistically, LGBTQ+ individuals who live in a hostile environment are at risk of dying 12 years earlier.

Tennessee has a history of creating or denying laws for religious purposes, which is why some feel so strongly that this law is purely to discriminate.

This is not the only law or lack thereof that targets or aids in the discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals. Tennessee has no law in place that prevents employers from discriminating against employers based on their sexuality, and the state disallows for legal document, aside from driver’s licenses, to be changed for people like transgender individuals.

“When I’m thinking about this bill globally, it seems like it’s on the wrong side of history,” Thompson said. “It’s on the wrong side of growth and economy. It’s on the wrong side of law, and it’s on the wrong side of building community.”

Republican Sen. Steven Dickerson said to CNBC that this bill could have economic effects on the state, damage the tourism industry in Nashville and turn companies away from investing. When the law was passed in the senate in April 2019, many companies like Amazon and Nike expressed their disapproval of the new Tennessee law. None of the companies who gave disapproval have made further comments on potential business consequences.

“We built our nation on difference, and it’s our strength,” said Thompson. “To not honor that or recognize that that’s our legacy as Americans is a movement in the wrong direction.”