Tennessee Republicans pass bills to protect kids from confusion-affirming genital mutilations and drag shows



Republicans have mounted a successful campaign against woke cultural imperialism in the state of Tennessee, passing two bills to protect kids both from drag shows and genital mutilations.

Senate Bill 3 is legislation intended to protect minors from "adult-oriented" performances, including those conducted by men masquerading as women, strippers, and exotic dancers, all deemed "harmful to minors."

It was passed Thursday in the state House with a 74-19 vote. After a procedural vote in the Senate concerning changes made in the House, it will go to the desk of Gov. Bill Lee.

Lee indicated that he will also sign into law House Bill 1, a ban on giving mental illness-affirming puberty blockers and genital mutilations to children, which similarly passed in the House on Thursday.

Deviant adult entertainment permitted, but only for adults

Senate Bill 3 was introduced on Jan. 10 and transmitted to the state House earlier this month. It passed with a 74-19 vote on Thursday and will return to the Senate for a procedural vote before final passage, reported the Tennessean.

The bill amends state law pertaining to adult-oriented performances, defining an "adult cabaret performance" as "a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether or not performed for consideration."

Upon the signing of the bill, it will be an offense for a person to engage in an adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the performance could be viewed by minors.

According to the legislation, a first offense would constitute a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent such offense will be a Class E felony.

State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R), instrumental in the passage of both bills, said that Senate Bill 3 "gives confidence to parents that they can take their kids to a public or private show and will not be blindsided by a sexualized performance."

Leave those kids alone

HB 1 passed in a 26-6 vote along party lines on Feb. 13 in the Senate and again in the House on Feb. 23 in a 77-16 vote.

This bill replaces existing law prohibiting health care practitioners from prescribing a course of treatment involving harmful puberty blockers and hormones for "gender dysphoric or gender incongruent prepubertal minors" and established more concrete and sweeping prohibitions on the mutilations of youth in the state.

Majority Leader William Lamberth (R) said in House debates over the legislation, "These children do not need these medical procedures to be able to flourish as adults. ... They need mental health treatment. They need love and support, and many of them need to be able to grow up to become the individuals that they were intended to be."

Lamberth also told WATE 6, "We're not going to have, you know, any kind of quack doctor come into this state and start doing double mastectomies on children that are suffering through body dysphoria."

Upon its ratification, the bill will bar health care professionals, establishments, and facilities from performing or offering to perform medical procedures — either of a chemical or surgical nature — that are meant to enable "a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the immutable characteristics of the reproductive system that define the minor as male or female, as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth."

Additionally, it will no longer be permissible to provide medical procedures in an effort to remedy "purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minor's sex and asserted identity."

In the event that a medical practitioner or facility violates the law and in so doing transmogrifies a minor, the victim will now be able to bring a lawsuit against the health care provider responsible as well as against his or her parents, should the parent of the minor have "consented to the conduct that constituted the violation on behalf of the minor."

The bill additionally authorizes the attorney general "to bring an action against a healthcare provider that knowingly violates this bill's prohibitions concerning medical procedures, within 20 years of the violation, to enjoin further violations, to disgorge any profits received due to the medical procedure, and to recover a civil penalty of $25,000 per violation."

Though the bill, if signed, will take effect this summer, existing victims will have until March 2024 to cease treatment.

A spokesman for the governor told Fox News Digital Friday that Lee "appreciates the work of Leader Johnson and Leader Lamberth to protect children and intends to sign the bill when it reaches his desk."

Lee previously noted that he was "grateful to the leadership in both houses who have worked to protect kids along those lines."

LGBT activists have vowed to fight the legislation in order so that future generations of kids will have an opportunity to one day regret their irreversible mutilations.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee wrote in a statement Thursday that the ACLU and Lambda Legal "have promised the transgender youth of Tennessee and their families that they will bring immediate legal action against proposed restrictions on their health care should they be signed into law."

Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, a staff attorney with ACLU Tennessee, said, "Gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth is safe, necessary, effective and often life-saving. Legislators are risking trans young people’s health, wellbeing and safety with this dangerous legislation. We urge Governor Lee to veto this overreaching, discriminatory bill, or we will see him in court."

The Tennessee Democratic Party has condemned both bills and indicated that it will call on Lee to veto them.

\u201cBoth the anti-trans healthcare and drag ban bills passed the House today. We fully condemn both bills and their passage \u2014 they now go to the desk of @GovBillLee where we call on him to veto them.\n\n@TNGOP's focus on stripping rights from the most vulnerable among us is vile.\u201d
— Tennessee Democratic Party (@Tennessee Democratic Party) 1677190394

Johnson noted on Twitter, "Once again, Tennessee leads the nation. We’re committed to ensuring Tennessee is the safest place to raise your family. This is a huge win for our state, and we’ll continue working to protect our kids."

\u201cWe\u2019re back in full swing here in the Tennessee General Assembly \u2013 check back here in a week or so for another update on what\u2019s going on in your state Capitol.\u201d
— Jack Johnson (@Jack Johnson) 1676664439

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GOP governors vow to fight Biden's vaccine mandate 'to the gates of hell'



President Joe Biden is ushering in COVID-19 vaccine mandates for up to 100 million Americans. However, many Republican governors are vowing to fight back against the sweeping coronavirus vaccine mandate. At least 23 GOP governors denounced Biden's vaccine mandate.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis questioned the humanity of Biden's forced vaccinations.

"How could we get to the point in this country where you would not let them earn a living because of their choice on the vaccine?" DeSantis said. "I just think that's fundamentally wrong. I do not believe that people should lose their jobs over this issue, and we will fight that."

"How could we get to the point in this country where you would not let them earn a living because of their choice o… https://t.co/EC6R95pH7A

— Christina Pushaw (@ChristinaPushaw) 1631222250.0

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the mandates are "an assault on private businesses" and pledged to "halt this power grab."

"Biden's vaccine mandate is an assault on private businesses," Abbott said. "I issued an Executive Order protecting Texans' right to choose whether they get the COVID vaccine & added it to the special session agenda. Texas is already working to halt this power grab."

Biden’s vaccine mandate is an assault on private businesses.I issued an Executive Order protecting Texans’ right… https://t.co/atwY5FuQeL

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) 1631229046.0

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem told Biden, "See you in court."

South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom. @JoeBiden see you in court.

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) 1631218458.0

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp proclaimed, "I will pursue every legal option available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatantly unlawful overreach by the Biden administration."

I will pursue every legal option available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatantly unlawful overreach by the Biden administration.

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) 1631222708.0

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Biden's vaccine mandates are "nonsense."

"President Biden has overreached with these new mandates, and we're united in fighting back," Ivey said on Friday. "I'm partnering alongside my conservative colleagues across the country in this fight. This is a fight for businesses, our hardworking men and women, and our American liberties."

"I encourage Alabamians to take the vaccine – have been since the beginning, but we're never going to mandate it," Ivey continued. "And we certainly aren't going to allow Washington, D.C., and this president to tell Alabama what to do. Here in Alabama, we don't put up with that nonsense."

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said the Biden administration's "unconstitutional overreach of executive power has no place in America. Not now, and not ever."

"The Biden Administration's announcement to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for private businesses is an egregious example of big government overreach," Gordon stated. "Our Constitution was written and fought for to protect our liberties as American citizens."

"This administration's latest pronouncement demonstrates its complete disregard for the rule of law and the freedoms individuals and private companies enjoy under our Constitution," he tweeted. "In Wyoming, we believe that government must be held in check. I have asked the Attorney General to stand prepared to take all actions to oppose this administration's unconstitutional overreach of executive power. It has no place in America. Not now, and not ever."

The Biden Administration’s announcement to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for private businesses i… https://t.co/4QU6gcGDd4

— Governor Mark Gordon (@GovernorGordon) 1631226025.0


I have asked the Attorney General to stand prepared to take all actions to oppose this administration’s unconstitut… https://t.co/0MukHPAeey

— Governor Mark Gordon (@GovernorGordon) 1631226026.0

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also accused the Biden administration of overreach.

"This is exactly the kind of big government overreach we have tried so hard to prevent in Arizona — now the Biden-Harris administration is hammering down on private businesses and individual freedoms in an unprecedented and dangerous way," Ducey explained. "This will never stand up in court."

"This dictatorial approach is wrong, un-American and will do far more harm than good. How many workers will be displaced? How many kids kept out of classrooms? How many businesses fined? The vaccine is and should be a choice. We must and will push back," Ducey said.

This dictatorial approach is wrong, un-American and will do far more harm than good. How many workers will be displ… https://t.co/AjtEWeqxPw

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) 1631218792.0

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee called the mandate a "power grab."

"'This is not about freedom' is a phrase that should never come out of a U.S. President's mouth," Lee said, quoting Biden's speech on Thursday.

"For a fight that requires working together, a lot of cynical and divisive edicts came out of the White House today pitting the vaccinated against the unvaccinated, businesses against employees, and the federal government against states," Lee added. "The Constitution won't allow this power grab, and in the meantime, I will stand up for all Tennesseans."

“This is not about freedom” is a phrase that should never come out of a U.S. President’s mouth.

— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) 1631230295.0


Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said his state will "stand up" and "explore all our options" with the attorney general.

"President Biden's announcement is a stunning violation of personal freedom and abuse of the federal government's power," Ricketts wrote. "This plan isn't about public health – this is about government control and taking away personal liberties."

"Americans, not the federal government, are responsible for taking charge of their personal health," he continued. "It is not the role of the federal government to mandate their choices. Nebraska will stand up…working with the Attorney General to explore all our options."

President Biden’s announcement is a stunning violation of personal freedom and abuse of the federal government’s po… https://t.co/Lu9gF1Tymj

— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) 1631224920.0


Nebraska will stand up to President Biden’s overreach, and we will be working with the Attorney General to explore… https://t.co/XkLIDxBSKH

— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) 1631224922.0

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster blasted Biden for turning the American dream into a nightmare.

"The American Dream has turned into a nightmare under President Biden and the radical Democrats," McMaster exclaimed. "They have declared war against capitalism, thumbed their noses at the Constitution, and empowered our enemies abroad."

"Rest assured, we will fight them to the gates of hell to protect the liberty and livelihood of every South Carolinian," he declared.

Rest assured, we will fight them to the gates of hell to protect the liberty and livelihood of every South Carolinian.

— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) 1631221934.0

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said he is already discussing "options for mounting a legal challenge to President Biden's plan."

"We've reached out to the ND Attorney General to discuss options for mounting a legal challenge to President Biden's plan to impose a vaccine mandate on private businesses," Burgum said. "This gross federal overreach goes against everything I believe as a governor, business owner & American."

"The White House needs to be reminded that the states created the federal government, not the other way around, and we will always vigorously defend states' rights," he declared.

The White House needs to be reminded that the states created the federal government, not the other way around, and… https://t.co/fit0erSIkc

— Gov. Doug Burgum (@DougBurgum) 1631289273.0

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said there will be no "government vaccine mandates" in his state.

"It is not the government's role to dictate to private businesses what to do," Stitt stated. "Once again President Biden is demonstrating his complete disregard for individual freedoms and states' rights."

"As long as I am governor, there will be no government vaccine mandates in Oklahoma," he proclaimed. "My administration will continue to defend Oklahoma values and fight back against the Biden administration's federal overreach."

My administration will continue to defend Oklahoma values and fight back against the Biden administration’s federal overreach.

— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) 1631223360.0

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson promised to fight back against the federal government.

"Vaccination protects us from serious illness, but the decision to get vaccinated is a private health care decision that should remain as such," Parson stated. "My administration will always fight back against federal power grabs and government overreach that threatens to limit our freedoms."

Vaccination protects us from serious illness, but the decision to get vaccinated is a private health care decision… https://t.co/VMFEhpCakn

— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) 1631225871.0

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wrote, "I think the President made a mistake by announcing federal vaccine mandates. We should be focused on the science of preventing virus spread - the vaccine is our best tool to stop COVID - but people and business owners should make their own decisions about vaccination."

I think the President made a mistake by announcing federal vaccine mandates. We should be focused on the science of… https://t.co/cye9KrVVLS

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) 1631291315.0

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Biden's "unconstitutional move is terrifying."

"The President has no authority to require that Americans inject themselves because of their employment at a private business," Reeves said. "The vaccine itself is life-saving, but this unconstitutional move is terrifying. This is still America, and we still believe in freedom from tyrants."

The President has no authority to require that Americans inject themselves because of their employment at a private… https://t.co/8TE96tzAQX

— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) 1631223585.0

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Americans need to do what's best for them, and Biden's order will worsen the workforce shortage.

"President Biden is taking dangerous and unprecedented steps to insert the federal government even further into our lives while dismissing the ability of Iowans and Americans to make healthcare decisions for themselves," Reynolds declared. "Biden's plan will only worsen our workforce shortage and further limit our economic recovery."

"As I've said all along, I believe and trust in Iowans to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families," she continued. "It's time for President Biden to do the same. Enough is enough."

President Biden is taking dangerous and unprecedented steps to insert the federal government even further into our… https://t.co/1tyXUbbycl

— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) 1631222353.0


As I’ve said all along, I believe and trust in Iowans to make the best health decisions for themselves and their fa… https://t.co/7m9IhNpsU3

— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) 1631222384.0

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb pushed back against Biden's vaccine mandate.

"I believe the vaccine is the no. 1 tool that will protect us & our loved ones against COVID-19. It's the tool that will end the pandemic," Holcome began his tweet thread. "However, I strongly believe it's not the state or federal government's role to issue a vaccine mandate upon citizens & private businesses. This is the approach our administration has taken all along."

"The announcement from President Biden is a bridge too far. Private businesses should be able to look at their own mission, their staff & their goals & make the decision best for them that will keep their doors open," he said. "I believe it is fundamentally a citizen's right to choose whether or not to get the vaccine. While I wish everyone would get the vaccine, we are a country built on this exact type of freedom."

I believe the vaccine is the no. 1 tool that will protect us & our loved ones against COVID-19. It's the tool that… https://t.co/HFINyVkE7y

— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) 1631288011.0


Idaho Gov. Brad Little issued a statement, "Today's actions from President Biden amount to government overreach. Government should stay out of decisions involving employers and their employees as much as possible. I've advocated for and championed fewer government regulations and mandates on business."

I still urge Idahoans to choose safe and effective ways to protect themselves from COVID-19 for the continued healt… https://t.co/85UVT70OTB

— Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) 1631224892.0

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte slammed the vaccine mandate, "President Biden's vaccination mandate is unlawful and un-American. We are committed to protecting Montanans' freedoms and liberties against this gross federal overreach."

President Biden’s vaccination mandate is unlawful and un-American. We are committed to protecting Montanans’ freedo… https://t.co/28VFvCxPwR

— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) 1631223557.0

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued a statement against the order.

"I have been consistent in the freedom of businesses to require their employees to be vaccinated, and I have opposed the government from saying businesses cannot exercise that freedom," Hutchinson noted. "The same principle should protect the private sector from government overreach that requires them to vaccinate all employees."

In response to President Biden’s Covid-19 action plan: https://t.co/550XsT704V

— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) 1631224198.0

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy called to remove Biden via the 25th Amendment.

"This is ridiculous and unenforceable. If there was ever a case for the 25th Amendment…," Dunleavy suggested.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox reacted by saying, "Getting vaccinated is the single most important thing people can do right now to protect ourselves and our community and reduce the spread of the Delta variant. While we support efforts that encourage vaccinations, we have serious concerns about the legality of the order."

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice stated, "I absolutely think that that is wrong. I am absolutely not in support of doing that in any way in the state of West Virginia."

Tennessee House GOP urges Gov. Lee to call special session to push back against local COVID rules



All 73 members of Tennessee's House Republican caucus signed on to a letter to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee requesting that he call a special session of the state legislature so lawmakers can pushback against local coronavirus-related rules.

"We write today to request that you call an extraordinary session of the General Assembly in order for the legislature to convene and address misdirected and mandated responses to COVID-19 by local entities and officials," the letter declares. "It is of the utmost urgency to move quickly due to the potential of significant harm to Tennesseans.

"We believe there is a need to curtail the overreach by independent health boards and officials, confirm a parent's right to make decisions that impact the mental and physical health of their children, provide support and direction to schools to ensure educators are properly compensated for COVID-19 leave, and protect all Tennesseans from misdirected mandates designed to limit their ability to make their own decisions," the letter declares.

‼️MUST READ‼️House Republicans joined our Speaker @CSexton25 in requesting that @GovBillLee call a special sessio… https://t.co/B9LM3JEbub

— TN House Republicans (@tnhousegop) 1628715703.0

The Tennessean noted that even if the Republican governor declines to call a special session, the state legislature could still call one if two-thirds of both chambers backed the move.

"We are reviewing the request," Lee spokesperson Casey Black noted in a statement on Wednesday, according to the outlet.

Schools in some parts of the state are subject to some sort of mask mandate, according to The Tennessean.

For instance, the Williamson County Schools Board of Education voted on Tuesday to mandate masks indoors and on buses at the elementary school level.

School masking requirements have proven to be highly polarizing throughout the U.S.

"We believe there is much debate needed and action around the appropriate balance of parents' right to make healthcare decisions for their children and the government's ability to mandate healthcare decisions upon them. Finally, in addition to the debate needed around continued COVID-19 mandates, the General Assembly needs to evaluate the ongoing discrimination of Tennesseans by prohibiting their access to buildings due only to their vaccination status."

GOP lawmakers enraged as Biden secretly buses, flies migrants into Tennessee in 'the dead of night’



Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are demanding answers in response to shocking news that the Biden administration is secretly busing and flying scores of illegal immigrants into the state.

What are the details?

Reports that the Biden administration has been moving thousands of unaccompanied minors and tens of thousands of migrant adults — presumably without court dates — into the country amid the ongoing border crisis have circulated since February. But this week the news hit home for Tennessee lawmakers who, alarmed that the administration is seemingly doing so "under the cover of darkness," have opted to speak out about the matter.

After WRCB-TV broke the story on Wednesday night that "Chattanooga's Wilson Air Center is receiving planes carrying migrant children who are being bused to multiple southeastern cities during overnight hours," the state's two Republican senators lashed out at the administration.

"It is absolutely unacceptable if the Biden Administration is facilitating a mass migration under cover of darkness without any input or oversight from Tennesseans and the affected communities," Sen. Marsha Blackburn wrote in a social media post Wednesday night.

It is absolutely unacceptable if the Biden Administration is facilitating a mass migration under cover of darkness… https://t.co/wOlzafpn9t

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) 1621461901.0

In a statement to Fox News, Sen. Bill Hagerty said, "I have warned for months that President Biden's failure at the border would result in a systematic resettling of migrants in our communities, burdening our schools, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies, and bringing an increase in drug trafficking and human smuggling."

WRCB-TV reported that they have obtained videos of at least four flights arriving in the early morning hours between last Friday and Wednesday.

The news outlet noted that a source with direct knowledge of the operation who asked to remain anonymous reported that "approximately 30 to 50 minors are transported at a time, some to reunite with family members and others to go to group homes."

The source reportedly added that "the operation started in Dallas, Texas, but moved to small airports recently to avoid attention."

What else?

A spokesperson for the airport denied any involvement in coordinating the operation. So WRCB-TV, based on a tip from one of the bus employees, reached out to the Department of Defense, which in turn claimed that the flights were operated by the Department of Health and Human Services.

TheBlaze has reached out to the Department of Health and Services for clarity on the matter.

One thing that does appear to be clear at this point is that Tennessee lawmakers were not informed about the operation.

In a separate statement to Fox News, Blackburn reportedly stated that the transportation of migrants is taking place in "the dead of night without the knowledge or permission of the communities involved."

Earlier this month, in a letter to President Joe Biden, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) joined a coalition of fellow Republican governors in calling for the administration to address the immigration crisis, which they claimed was affecting all states, not only those at the border.

The crisis at our border is too big to ignore, and it's spilling into ALL of our states. I have led a joint letter… https://t.co/xpAfXoYMLV

— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) 1620745025.0