Tennessee gay marriage
What is a covenant marriage? Proposed Tennessee bill would form marriage distinction. Here's what to know
A proposed Tennessee bill would have the state join the ranks of those seeking to start a "Covenant Marriage Act."
A bill was introduced to the state House of Representatives on Jan. 22 that would establish covenant marriages in Tennessee between "one male and one female" who "agree that marriage is a lifelong relationship."
The legislation would make it harder for couples in covenant marriages to get a divorce in Tennessee. If passed, the bill would go into effect in July 2025.
Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Williamson, is the sponsor of the proposed bill in Tennessee, though Rep. Chris Hurt, R-Halls, originally introduced the bill, before passing the sponsorship to Bulso.
Other states are taking similar behavior. Missouri and Oklahoma both have similar marriage bills filed in their legislatures. Arkansas, Arizona and Louisiana already possess existing covenant marriage laws in place; trading "lifelong relationships" for tax breaks in some states.
However, Tennessee's draft of the Covenant Marriage Act excludes any mention of financial benefits, which are a part of Oklahoma'
Tennessee is one signature away from a new endeavor to restrict queer marriages
Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are making their umpteenth attempt to cease same-sex marriage. This time around they want to create sure a common official is not required to solemnize a marriage, which would mean LGBTQ couples could be denied their fundamental right to commit. The bill is heading to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk, and if he signs it, it’ll be effective immediately.
If signed into commandment, the measure would be challenged in court eventually because same-sex marriage is a fundamental right — as of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 26, 2015.
Chris Sanders with Tennessee Equality Project said it’s ripe for a lawsuit.
“I consider, at some show, there will be some county commissioner who turns a same-sex couple away,” Sanders said, “and they will be able to reveal harm because they can’t find a public official to marry them within 50 miles.”
Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage equality ruling, states race by Republicans, favor Tennessee, have been trying to uncover a way to get around it. This action coupled with the unwavering attacks on the queer community has made Tennessee one of
Tennessee Lawmakers Pile on 4 More Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills – So Far – On Top of the TWENTY They Have Already Passed in Recent Years
NASHVILLE, TN — In a truly stunning display of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and targeted misuse of government power, Tennessee lawmakers last week sent to the governor THREE new pieces of legislation targeting the rights and existence of the LGBTQ+ community and has continued working on harmful bills this week. The three bills last week follow on the heels of SB 1738, passed earlier this month and signed by Governor Bill Lee, which could place LGBTQ+ youth in the foster care system into unsupportive homes.
Last week’s newly passed bills, if signed into commandment, would further extend Tennessee’s shameful, shocking lead among U.S. states in enacting anti-LGBTQ+ laws since 2015:
Tennessee: 21 laws enacted (would be **24** if all 3 newly passed bills are signed into law)
Arkansas: 13 laws enacted
Florida: 13 laws enacted
Montana: 12 laws enacted
North Dakota: 12 laws enacted
This unrelenting drive to make Tennessee hostile to LGBTQ+ people – and especially transgender people – stands apart, even compared to other states tha
Elected officials in Tennessee can now refuse to join same-sex couples under fresh law
Tennessee is no stranger to lawsuits over same-sex marriage, and it could be on the receiving end of another soon. That’s after a new law was signed by Gov. Bill Lee, allowing wedding officiants to refuse to solemnize a marriage if they don’t want to.
More:A intend to discriminate against lgbtq+ marriages in Tennessee would’ve made child marriage legal. It’s now expected to be amended.
While the wording of the bill is not striking, it could create a way for LGBTQ couples to contain their fundamental right to marry denied.
The bill language
In Tennessee, pastors and other religious leaders can solemnize a marriage. But the list also includes judges, current and former elected officials, and the governor.
By federal law, religious leaders are the only ones on the list allowed to refuse to commit someone. The new mention law gives that power to current and former elected officials.
Chris Sanders, the director of Tennessee Equality, believes the law doesn’t contain a chance of standing because