Controversial Senate Bill 2566 effectively killed in committee
Controversial Senate Bill 2566 effectively killed in committee
Posted: Feb 18, 2014 4:03 PM CST
Updated: Feb 18, 2014 4:56 PM CST
Posted by Kevin Young - email
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
A controversial piece of legislation that would have permitted businesses and organizations in Tennessee to refuse to work with potential clients if the clients are gay won't move forward this session.
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TN bill would permit businesses to refuse same-sex couples
A controversial piece of legislation would permit businesses and organizations in Tennessee to refuse service to homosexuals based on religious beliefs.
Tennessee is one of several states that currently has a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, but federal courts and some lawmakers have taken action - most recently in Virginia - to strike those bans down.
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Opponents said the language of Senate Bill 2566 was not only too broad, but it also basically condoned discrimination in the name of religious freedom.
State Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, who withdrew sponsorship of the bill last week, released a statement prior to the bill being placed in the general subcommittee, effectively killing it:
"The text of the Religious Freedom Act never allowed a restaurant or hospital to refuse service to anyone. I would never introduce legislation that attempts to limit the civil rights of any Tennessean, whether straight or gay. The bill was designed to protect a pastor, rabbi, or singer from being sued and forced to participate in a same-sex ceremony against their will."
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We still have a long way to go in Tennessee but at least we didn't take a step backwards. We will not stop working for our brothers and sisters.