The fight for equality continues as Tennessee attempts to directly defy the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality
Move over Kentucky, Tennessee is pushing its way into the media spotlight with a controversial and discriminatory new bill.
Filed by state Representatives Mark Pody and Mae Beavers, the “Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act” directly defies the US Supreme Court’s June decision of Obergefell v. Hodges.
The preposterous bill states that “Natural marriage between one man and one woman as recognized by the people of Tennessee remains the law in Tennessee, regardless of any court decision to the contrary. Any court decision purporting to strike down natural marriage, including [Obergefell v. Hodges], is unauthoritative, void, and of no effect.”
The bill would also require the attorney general to defend local officials who choose to defy the Supreme Court.
The executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, Chris Sanders, stated the bill “is futile, costly and chaotic. Because I’ll tell you, couples who want to get married will not take no for an answer.”
He suggests that the lawmakers focus their efforts and attention on correctional facilities and the conditions for correctional workers instead of defying the Supreme Court.
Many believe that the bill will not stand up in court but have not dismissed the potential threat entirely.
It has been heavily acknowledged that this bill will promote more discrimination and cause harm to the LGBT community.