Repeal Hateful TN Bill 878

When Rep Monty Frits proposed, law makers passed and Gov Bill Lee signed into the law HB 878, The Governor and Legislature showed once again that they believe some of their constituents aren’t entitled to the protections afforded under the US Constitution. As Camilla Taylor, deputy legal director for litigation for Lambda Legal, said “Public officials don’t get to assume public office and then pick and choose which members of the public to serve.” Monty Fritts, who sponsored the bill in the House, told the state Subcommittee on Children and Family Affairs that the law would allow an officiant to refuse to solemnize a marriage for “reasons of conscience or other religious beliefs.” “Rep. Monty Fritts, who sponsored the bill in the House, told the state Subcommittee on Children and Family Affairs that the law would allow an officiant to refuse to solemnize a marriage for “reasons of conscience or other religious beliefs.” As societal views change about what constitutes a marriage, officiants must be able to refuse to solemnize marriages that are contrary to their beliefs,” Fritts said during the meeting. “The government has a responsibility to protect the exercise of religious beliefs. … Those with the authority to perform civil ceremonies would also be permitted to refuse to solemnize marriage for reasons of conscience.” What the majority GOP legislature and Gov Lee are sanctioning is discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or whatever the officiant deems is sufficient grounds to deny performing a marriage ceremony. In other words, HB 878 puts the interpretation of the law in the hands of the officiant. Gov Lee should have vetoed this bill when it landed on his desk. The Speaker of the House should have refused to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. And the GOP members of the TN House should have tried to remember that the US Constitution prohibits the very form of discrimination they would allow, indeed encourage, with this bill. It will not stand the legal challenges it faces. It will hasten the identification of TN as a state of hate not a state of opportunity and freedom. HB 878 was a bad idea at the outset. The legislature and Governor Lee should hang their heads in shame and do whatever is required to repeal this hateful, unconstitutional piece of legislation.