Tennessee GOP wants to ban books that 'promote' LGBT lifestyles from school libraries

• Bill HB800 would prevent schools from using any textbooks or materials that contain LGBTQ+ content.
• Rep. Bruce Griffey said the bill serves to keep students focused on subjects like math and science.
• The bill coincides with a wave of anti-trans bills being proposed across the US.

Tennessee lawmakers want to ban any textbooks or curriculum that contain LGBTQ+ content from schools.

HB800 would prohibit public schools and teachers from including teaching materials that "promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender (LGBT) issues or lifestyles." As of publication, it is unclear how lawmakers plan to define what qualifies as LGBT issues or lifestyle content.

Bruce Griffey, a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, drafted and introduced the bill before he was removed from the Education Instruction Subcommittee on March 25.

Griffey said the bill serves to focus school attention and resources on subjects that are critical to students like math and science.

"The promotion of LGBT issues and lifestyles in public schools offends a significant portion of students, parents, and Tennessee residents with Christian values," Griffey wrote in the bill.

According to the Charlotte Observer, the bill will be read and discussed by the state legislature's Education Instruction Subcommittee on March 30. If passed, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2021 and impact the 2021-2022 school year.

The proposal to ban LGBTQ+ books and educational materials from schools has legal precedent, as state lawmakers have attempted to pass similar bills since the 1990s, according to the National Coalition Against Censorship.

Tennessee's bill coincides with four anti-trans pieces of legislation being considered by state lawmakers, including SB0228 and HB0003 which would prohibit trans teens from competing on school sports teams.