MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - There's a new twist on controversial legislation being considered by Tennessee lawmakers. A bill that many say allows gay students to be bullied on religious grounds is being replaced. But, a new bill is taking its place. It comes after the father of a gay man killed over his sexual orientation showed up to fight the bill and another like it.
A conservative group called the Family Action Council of Tennessee pushed for the new bill. It feared there were misconceptions about the old legislation and wanted to clear things up.
“We have been asked to do some work in negotiating some of this legislation that was proposed that we believe to be anti gay and anti-trans in nature,” said Jonathan Cole from the Tennessee Equality Project.
TEP is a gay rights group that led the charge against the Anti Bullying legislation. Cole wants it to cover more than just sexual orientation.
“Race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, a person's gender, disability, academic achievement, socioeconomic status, these are all factors that could be differentiating characteristics that kids focus on for harassment, intimidation and bullying,” Cole said.
The Family Action Council of Tennessee says, "The new bill has been substantially modified from previous legislation on the subject. However, additional modifications may be forthcoming as discussions are ongoing."
David Fowler, who heads up the Family Action Council, said, “It’s wrong to bully people because of their sexual practices. But it's wrong to bully people, period."
He wants to stop bullying and protect the free speech rights of those who believe homosexuality is wrong. That's a sticking point.
“When you have a child who says, 'Well I think, based on what I learned in church that because you're gay you're going to hell,' that's active speech that's scarring a potential target for that kind of bullying,” Cole said.
Dennis Shepard recently went to Nashville to protest the Anti-Bullying legislation and the 'Don't Say Gay' Bill, which would prevent K-8 teachers from talking about homosexuality in school.
Shepard's son, Matthew Shepard was killed in 1998 because of his sexual orientation.
