Tennessee “Don’t Say Gay” bill would require teachers to out their students

[DonViejo]

Source: Salon


Language in the bill also appears to endorse counseling for students who are "at risk" of being LGBT

BY KATIE MCDONOUGH

If you thought that you’d heard the last of Tennessee’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill after state lawmakers abandoned the legislation last year, think again. It’s back. And it’s awful.

The measure still prohibits elementary and middle school teachers from discussing sexual activity that is not related to “natural human reproduction” or even acknowledging that homosexuality exists, but new language in the bill would require teachers to tell parents when students are — or might be — gay:

The general assembly recognizes that certain subjects are particularly sensitive and are, therefore, best explained and discussed within the home. Because of its complex societal, scientific, psychological, and historical implications, human sexuality is one such subject. Human sexuality is best understood by children with sufficient maturity to grasp its complexity and implications…

A school counselor, nurse, principal or assistant principal from counseling a student who is engaging in, or who may be at risk of engaging in, behavior injurious to the physical or mental health and well-being of the student or another person; provided, that wherever possible such counseling shall be done in consultation with the student’s parents or legal guardians. Parents or legal guardians of students who receive such counseling shall be notified as soon as practicable that such counseling has occurred.

In addition to requiring school officials to out students to their parents, the legislation also appears to endorse so-called conversion therapy (“counseling” in the bill’s nomenclature), in which psychologists and psychiatrists (not to mention would-be Republican presidential nominees) try to change the recipients sexual orientation. An unsafe home or school environment is the most common reason for leaving home given by homeless LGBT youth, who comprise 40% of all homeless young people in the United States.



Read more: http://www.salon.com/2013/01/30/tennessee_dont_say_gay_bill_now_requires_teachers_to_out_their_students/

[jberryhill]

1. Oh, okay, so...

...if a student tells a counselor they are being sexually abused by a parent, the counselor has to tell the parent?

WTF kind of idiots do they grow down there?

[kyeshinka]

2. Don't say stay

I can't imagine voluntarily teaching in a state where you are asked to betray a student's trust. It's hard enough teaching without the legislature making it worse. And they're never on your side to begin with.

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. We're going to see a lot of this nationally as corrupt, ignorant politicians usurp...

... academic freedom and job protections of trained, licensed teachers and substitute their own half-assed judgement.

[MynameisBlarney]

4. Good goawd

Everyday they prove themselves to be less and less human.

[theaocp]

5. Couldn't anybody just claim they didn't know?

How could anyone prove otherwise? These people really need to get a hobby and let go of the hate. Christ.

[cer7711]

8. Ah, But Hate IS Their Hobby!

Sadly oftentimes advanced and defended in the name of Christ.

[zipplewrath]

10. Yes, if the WANT to

They can, but you must realize the number of people who WANT to report these things, but currently feel that they could be held liable for the consequences of doing so. By legally REQUIRING them to report, they can suffer no consequences for doing so, even if they are glaringly stupid and get it badly wrong.

[crim son]

21. Exactly.

This legislation invites assholes to be assholes.

[Squinch]

6. Ahh, the Republicans going for smaller government again....

[indepat]

7. The Tennessee legislature surely must be striving for the moniker as the most repugnant, repulsive,

loathsome legislature in this right-wing-soused land.

[BlueJazz]

9. So the Kids get "Counseling" if they're Gay but NO counseling if they're...

...a Bully or homophobic, or a psychotic or psychopath or abused or a hundred other things...

Well...makes sense to me.

[Rob H.]

11. This sounds like a way to intimidate students

into staying closeted. If I were in high school and had worries about my sexuality but suspected the counselor might blab to my parents, there's no way on Earth I'd go to the counselor for help.

And that "conversion therapy" is 100% bullshit--it's wrong and it just flat-out doesn't work.

[BlueJazz]

12. ...and worst also...it could provoke a severely imbalanced teen to do the unspeakable.

I don't have to say it...you know what I'm talking about...

[Rob H.]

16. Yep, I have a friend who works in suicide intervention

and he's gotten calls in the past from teens who've been disowned by their parents and teens who feel ashamed of and confused by their orientation. Fortunately for them, in addition to being one of the most compassionate people I know, he's really driven to help and knows a ton of resources for them (places to go, people to talk to) off the top of his head. He's also gay, himself, so he knows better than most exactly what they're going through. (Fortunately, his parents are very accepting of him and always have been. Would that every LGBT teen could know what that's like.)

I also wonder whether this might provide grounds for a lawsuit for a teen who comes out to a teacher or counselor and is then either beaten by their parents, thrown out, or both. No one deserves to be punished for or made to feel ashamed of who they are.

[sulphurdunn]

13. I was in Daton TN

Last edited Thu Jan 31, 2013, 08:09 AM - Edit history (1)

and made a pilgrimage to the court house, scene of the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial. There is a large statue of William Jennings Bryan on the lawn donated by Bryan College (a private Christian college named after the great man). There is not statue of Clarance Darrow. That is all you need to know.

[obama2terms]

14. And my mom wonders

why I'm leaving this state, and if I have kids I refuse to have them in school here. I will say this though, this bill wasn't taken well there were protests about it which shocked me because this is TN. were talking about.
http://www.tennessean.com/VideoNetwork/1454985958001/-Don-t-Say-Gay-Bill-Provokes-Protest

[LiberalFighter]

15. Isn't there a federal law against this?

[Mkap]

17. Give em hell

I hope the parent of one of these counseled kids calls up the school and gives the administration hell. I certainly wouldn't allow my kid to be put through that

[hrmjustin]

18. What the hell is wrong with these people?

[Socal31]

19. Good god, this is why Obama's "State's Rights" stance on LGBT is awful.

Until there is federal law protecting these classifications from garbage like this, it will continue.

Just refusing to defend DOMA is not going to cut it. Come on Obama, you made the first move that everyone thought was "impossible" (DADT Repeal), you can do this too!

[Demo_Chris]

20. What can WE here do about this? Anything?

If not, is that anything our representatives in Washington can do?

I ask because this garbage seriously has got to stop. These are our kids, they should not have to face this nonsense alone.

[broadcaster75201]

22. I'll say this to certain Liberals til I die

to HELL with those of you who didn't vote in 2010 and to HELL with those of you who still don't vote. No, TN isn't going Bluse, same with some other States, but you can keep the goddamned GOP from running the State.

To HELL with you.

You can't possibly get more Liberal than I. And I think Obama is WAY too conservative. But to pitch a fit and not vote .... Jesus.

[David__77]

23. The gay students would be the best lobbyists against this.

And there are plenty of out students in all 50 states. The right doesn't realize that these efforts are far too late to turn the tide, and in fact in the present situation are counterproductive to their cause.

[docgee]

24. Seriously...

[Tippy]

25. Tennessee is run by....ALEC..the American Legislative CounciL...AKA The Coke Bros

The TN Legislature is Does their bidding up and down the line...I would not be suprised if they even ask permission to use the restroom...It is sickening...

[Downtown Hound]

26. Outrageous? Yes. Cruel? Yes. Backward? Yes. Stupid? Yes.

Surprising? No.