LGBT Issues In The Spotlight In Tennessee

03:59

April 19, 2016

As in many Southern states, Republican lawmakers in Tennessee have been debating measures aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Yesterday, a bill that would have required transgender students to use bathrooms corresponding to their birth gender was removed from legislative consideration, after protests from the LGBT community and business leaders who feared economic repercussions.

However, Tennessee lawmakers have already passed legislation that would let faith-based therapists turn away potential clients on religious grounds. LGBT rights groups are urging the state's Republican governor to block that measure. Chas Sisk from Here & Now contributor WPLN reports.

Desmond Child, right, waits to speak at a press conference of Music Row celebrities opposed to the counseling bill. (Chas Sisk/Nashville Public Radio)

Renee McLaughlin (right) speaks with Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, after delivering a petition to Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell's office. (Chas Sisk/Nashville Public Radio)

Reporter

Chas Sisk, enterprise reporter at WPLN. He tweets @chassisk.

This segment aired on April 19, 2016.

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