Civil rights advocates react to Tennessee’s passage of House bill restricting same-sex marriage recognition

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The Tennessee House passed House Bill 1473 Thursday afternoon, legislation that would restrict recognition of same-sex marriages and protect those who decline to officiate such ceremonies.

The bill would not require private citizens or organizations to recognize same-sex marriages. It would also protect people from disciplinary action or sanctions if they decline to officiate same-sex weddings.

The legislation has some civil rights advocates wondering how it may affect Tennesseans.

“This puts a lot of fear and scares people,” said Vanessa Rodley, president of Mid-South Pride. “You’re trying to get some coffee or donuts, and the lady or the person behind the counter says, ‘I’m sorry we can’t serve you today.’”

Virginia Leonard, Tennessee State board chair for the Tennessee Equality Project, questioned the necessity of the legislation.

“So, if it doesn’t change anything in the [law], then why is this needed?” Leonard asked. “If you want a clarification, get your attorney general to write something or do a resolution. You don’t need to codify this statute.”

Leonard referenced the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case that made same-sex marriage legal nationwide, calling it suspicious to see opposition more than ten years later.

“Some think that’s their intention all along, is to get this back in front of the Supreme Court, who’s got new members than from this when this first passed,” Leonard said.

The bill still needs to pass through the Tennessee Senate before advancing further in the legislative process.

“And that’s not a world I want to live in or anyone else wants to live in,” Rodley said.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.