Legislative Alert: Parental Notification Bill Advances
On Tuesday, March 13, Representative Jason Mumpower
(R-Bristol) took his bill, HB0868, off notice. No further action is
pending.
Unfortunately, HB0905 by Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough), which would
require signed parental notification for student participation in
school-sponsored clubs, was passed by the House K-12 Education
Subcommittee, It will now be heard by the full House Education Committee
on Wednesday, March 21.
The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, along with the American
Civil Liberties Union and the Tennessee Equality Project, believes this
bill would
have the effect of destroying Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in public
schools. GSAs provide a safe space and peer support for gay, lesbian,
transgender, and
bisexual students and their straight friends, while promoting self-respect
and tolerance, and stand against GLBT bullying and harassment. Several
schools
across Tennessee already have GSA's and they are providing an important
service for GLBT youth in the state.
What can you do? Call or email your State Representative and Members of
the House Education Committee stating your strong opposition to this
legislation. Also, contact Representative Hill and ask him to withdraw his
bill.
Dear Representative [insert their last name here],
I am writing asking that you take HB0905 off notice in the House Education
Committee. I believe this bill would have the effect of destroying
Gay-Straight
Alliances (GSAs) in public schools. GSAs provide a safe space and peer
support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) students and
their
straight friends, while promoting self-respect and tolerance, and stand
against
GLBT bullying and harassment. Several schools across Tennessee already
have
GSA's and they are providing an important service for GLBT youth in the
state.
Why not support a resolution calling for parents to become more involved
in
their child's life. Now that would be a great place to start.
Please ask Representative Hill to take his bill Off Notice. Parents should
be involved their children's lives. Signing a permission slip is not the
way
to do it.
