Tennessee anti-trans bathroom bill scrapped for ‘at least a year’

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

The controversial bill was labelled ‘transphobic’ and ‘discriminative’.

Republican Susan Lynn recently introduced a bill in Tennessee’s House of Representatives that would have seen public school students forced to use the toilet corresponding to the gender they were assigned at birth.

Tennessee anti-trans bathroom bill scrapped for ‘at least a year’

Although Lynn has not shifted her perspective on this issue, the congresswoman has decided to postpone legislative action.

“I have learned that our school districts are largely following what the bill says,” she told The Tennessean.

“I am still absolutely 100 percent in support of maintaining the privacy of all students.

“But I’m going to roll the bill over until next year so we can work on those issues.”

Lynn – described as “an outspoken proponent of the measure” – announced her intention to “[delay] any action on the highly contentious measure in an effort to further study the issue” on Monday (April 18).

Her decision was welcomed by human rights activists, who say the bill would have life a lot harder for trans children across the state and encourage discrimination.

“Today’s move helps ensure every child in Tennessee will be treated with respect and dignity,” Hedy Weinberg of Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee said.

“We will remain vigilant to ensure that all Tennessee children are treated equally under the law.”

Tennessee anti-trans bathroom bill scrapped for ‘at least a year’

However, not everybody was happy with Lynn’s decision.

Proponents of the bill – such as former state senator David Fowler – expressed their disappointment that Lynn has halted the bill’s progress.

“We join the thousands of parents across the state who are profoundly disappointed that at this point in the process Rep,” he moaned.

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“Lynn has decided not to proceed with a bill that would have simply protected the privacy of the children they have entrusted to our public schools.”

In September, a hardware shop in the Republican led state tried to attract attention by selling ‘no gays allowed’ hats.

To the surprise and delight of many, Tennessee also recently announced plans to make a supernatural thriller its new official state book…

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