Bills dehumanize queer community
I cried as I read the article about the Republican bills targeting the LGBTQ+ residents of our state. It seems the authors of these bills do not see their queer constituents as deserving of the same rights as the rest of residents.
(IN THE NEWS: Tennessee Republicans advance bills targeting LGBTQ+ residents)
One bill (HB1473/SB1746) asserts that the queer community is not afforded protections under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. Another (HB1474/SB1746) denies anyone — including volunteers — the right to show any pride flags or acknowledge Pride Month. A third (HB1472/SB1745) says state anti-discrimination laws do not apply to the queer community. Of course, HB 1666/SB1665 adds to the already harmful law that says public school employees may not use a student’s preferred pronoun. Now the law would include Ms. and Mr. The last bill (HB1665/SB1664) interferes with patient/doctor relationships.
If these bills don’t upset you, then you are oblivious to the harm they cause an already marginalized community. This group already has a higher rate of suicide driven by discrimination, family rejections and lack of mental health care. Now, with these bills, some legislators imply they are not even human beings. What is wrong with these legislators?