The Tennessee House passed a bill to ban displaying LGBTQ flags in public school classrooms, leading to a heated debate.
The legislation allows certain flags like the U.S. flag but restricts others, with exceptions for approved curriculum or historical items.
The ban could be enforced through lawsuits by parents or guardians of students.
The ACLU warned about First Amendment rights, while the bill sponsor emphasized parental values.
“I am proud when I walk into the public schools in my city, to see the LGBTQ flag in the classrooms, proudly put up by teachers who understand the suffering that many of their students go through,” Rep. Jason Powell said. “We should be welcoming and celebrating our students, not hating on them.”
“What we’re doing is making sure parents are the ones who are allowed to instill in their children the values they want to instill,” Rep. Gino Bulso said.
The Senate’s version may limit who can file lawsuits over flags.
This bill is part of broader Republican efforts in Tennessee to restrict discussions on gender and sexuality in schools.
