NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A bill designed to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags in Tennessee public school classrooms was spiked Tuesday after it failed to attract enough support in the GOP-controlled Senate.
The proposal had easily cleared the Republican-dominant House nearly two months prior after the bill’s sponsor said he had parents complain about “political flags” in classrooms.
However, the proposal dragged in the Senate as lawmakers debated possible changes and delayed debating the measure up until the final week of this year’s legislative session.
“There were some parents in my district that felt like there were flags being displayed in the public school classroom that did not coincide with their values and felt like their children should not be indoctrinated in the schools,” said Republican Sen. Joey Hensley.
Ultimately, the Senate tweaked the bill to mandate that only the U.S. flag and official Tennessee state flag could be displayed in a public school. However, while the chamber agreed to the changes, the final vote failed to secure a simple majority inside the 33-member body with a 13-6 vote after almost no debate.
US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
ACWF Sends Condolences to Family of Nurse Who Lost Her Life in Battle Against COVID
In pics: torch relay of 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou
ACWF President Stresses Women's Role in Achieving Two Centenary Goals
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
List of 10 Women Model Police Officers in Anti
ACWF Launches Women Volunteers' Action
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
From masterpiece to marketplace, creative museum souvenirs go viral among Chinese youth
Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child
ACWF President Underlines People