TN bill to codify ‘sex’ as how you were born filed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) has introduced a bill that would define “sex” as “the unchanging biological sex of a person as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of the birth”.

He said it was not an anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

“Our goal is to help people, not harm anyone,” Bulso said. “What this does is clarify what a statute meant when it was enacted by the General Assembly and signed by our past governors.”

News 2 asked what their response would be if people argued that this bill unfairly targets the LGBTQ+ community.

“My answer would be that the bill actually provides clarity for a term that’s already in the code,” Bulso said. “The greatest gift a legislature can give the judiciary is clear and succinct legislation.”

It was an answer that Democrats took offense to.

“We weren’t born yesterday,” said Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville). “We recognize hate when we see it, and we’ll call it out when we see it.”

Johnson echoed a sentiment Democrats have been pushing lately — those kinds of bills aren’t necessary given Tennessee’s other issues, like DCS issues, low teacher pay and community health care. rural.

“It’s interesting that all of these bills that we absolutely don’t need have to do with the LGBTQ community,” Johnson said.

Still, Bulso feels confident. When asked if he expected opposition, he was clear.

“Frankly, I don’t,” Bulso said. “I think it’s so obvious that when the code uses a term, it’s important to be clear about what it means, that this bill will most likely pass overwhelmingly in both houses.”