I:F Action Alert - Stop the Tennessee Parental Permission Slip Bill! [Update]
I:F presents the information below from our friends at the Tennessee Equality Project.
A bill—SB 2079—filed by lawmaker Senator Rusty Crowe (Johnson City) is raising eyebrows and the interest of many around the state. Crowe’s bill would require signed permission slips by parents for student participation in school-sponsored clubs.
The legislation comes out of recent government decisions around the country attempting to ban Gay- Straight Alliances (GSAs) from public schools. GSAs provide a safe space for gays, lesbians, transgender, bisexual students and their straight friends, while promoting self-respect and tolerance, and stand against GLBT bullying and harassment.
One notable battle against GSAs was in Tampa, Florida and proved to be a yearlong fight, when schools attempted to mandate parental permission for GSA membership. The action was struck down, because legally the requirement could not be for just one club. The result of requiring membership permission for all clubs would create a tremendous amount of paperwork, taking school employees further away from educational programs. The county school board rejected the proposal following testimony by local GSA members, Equality Florida and the ACLU.
What can you do? Call or email your State Senator and Education Committee Members stating your strong opposition to this legislation. Also, contact Senator Crowe and say NO to SB 2079.
Senate Education Committee will meet Wednesday, March 7th at 8:30am.
Don’t know your Tennessee State Senator? Click HERE to find out.
Reginald Tate is the Shelby County Senator who is on the Education Committee. Here is his contact information:
Email: sen.reginald.tate@legislature.state.tn.us
Phone: (615) 741-4158
Senator Crowe’s contact information is:
Email: sen.rusty.crowe@legislature.state.tn.us
Phone: (615) 741-2468
Below is a sample letter:
Subject: Stop Parental Permission Slip Bill!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I am writing asking that you take SB 2079 off notice in Senate Education Committee. This bill, besides causing hundreds of hours of non-educational work for school employees, is counter-productive to an open learning environment. Why do parents need to sign a slip giving their child permission to participate in a school-sponsored club?
Why not support a resolution calling for parents to become more involved in their child's life. Now that would be a great place to start.
Please ask Senator Crowe to take his bill off notice. Parents should be involved their children's lives. Signing a permission slip is not the way to do it.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Act Now!
About MGLCC's Initiative: Fairness
Initiative: Fairness (I:F) is the public policy committee of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Committee Center (MGLCC). I:F aspires to inform, unite, and inspire the Memphis Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) community, in a non-partisan and non-threatening environment, to become more politically aware of issues and processes affecting our community.
The Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) working to create a better future for the GLBT community in the Mid-South. It offers an array of diverse GLBT services by utilizing the talents, energy, and resources of its members and surrounding community.
