The Tennessee State House passed a bill on Monday that would ban public schools from flying any flag other than the American flag in classrooms amid the prevalence of pride flags being flown.
The bill states that it is prohibited for to display “a flag other than the following on or in a public school:
(i) the U.S. flag
(ii) the official Tennessee state flag
(iii) a flag that cannot be disturbed or altered pursuant to the law relevant to Tennessee heritage protection
(iv) the POW/MIA flag,” and several other flags that are acceptable to fly in schools.
The bill passed with a 70 – 24 vote along party lines.
Rep. Gino Bulso introduced the bill after parents voiced concern about the flying of LGBTQ Pride flags in class,
Bulso rhetorically asked if parents have the right to teach specific sets of values to their own children.
“If you have parents across the state who want to instill in their children values represented by the pride flag, they are certainly entitled to do that,” he said.
“On the other hand, if you have parents who want to instill values in their children that are not consistent with the values represented by the pride flag, they have the ability to do that.”
The Daily Mail reported:
He said the bill’s exceptions could be applied to Confederate flags for approved curriculum and certain historical items that already cannot be removed without extensive state approval.
The approved flags include the United States and Tennessee flags and those deemed protected historical items under state law.
Flags of Native American tribes, local governments’ armed forces and prisoners of war or those missing in action, other countries and their local governments, colleges or universities or flags of the schools themselves are approved.
However, Opponents of the bill said it discriminates against members of the LGBTQ community.
Rep. Jason Powell said:
“I am against this bill. I think it is a terrible idea. Right now, this bill is targeting students.”
The bill also gives parents the power to file a lawsuit if the schools breach the flag prohibition.
The bill states:
“However, prior to filing an action, the parent or guardian must first provide written notice of the alleged violation of this amendment to the LEA or public charter school and allow the LEA or public charter school 10 days to remedy a violation.”
READ: Father Sues School for Refusing to Display Straight Pride Flag
