Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing Adoption Agencies to Deny Gay Couples; Governor Says He’ll Sign It

The Tennessee legislature has passed a bill allowing adoption and foster care agencies to deny same-sex couples based on religious beliefs. Governor Bill Lee has promised to sign it.

The AP reports: “The GOP-controlled Senate gave the bill final passage on the first day of the 2020 legislative session after it was initially approved by the House last April. The bill was sent to the Republican governor amid warnings by critics of possible negative consequences for Tennessee’s reputation. Lee’s communication director, Chris Walker, confirmed in a statement Tuesday evening that the governor would sign the bill.”

USA Today reports: “The bill declares that no licensed adoption agency would be required to participate in a child placement if doing so would ‘violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.’ It also prohibits the state from denying an agency’s license or grant application for public funds because of the group’s refusal to place a child with a family based on religious objections. The adoption agency would also be protected from lawsuits for such a refusal.”

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Tennessee Passes Bill Allowing Adoption Agencies to Deny Gay Couples; Governor Says He’ll Sign It

Why do people love The Big D? A gay guide to Dallas
You realize that “AJ and the Queen” is really about “The Wizard of Oz,” don’t you?

www.queerty.com/people-love-big-d-gay-guide-dallas-20200115?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

Giuliani Henchman Lev Parnas to Rachel Maddow: ‘Trump Knew Exactly What Was Going On’ — WATCH

Lev Parnas, the Giuliani associate who allegedly helped the Trump administration in its attempts to dig up dirt on the president’s political rivals, spoke to Rachel Maddow in his first interview, which airs at 9m ET on Maddow’s show (we’ll post the full interview when it’s available).

Maddow asked Parnas: “What do you think is the main inaccuracy or lie that’s being told that you feel like you can correct?”

Said Parnas: “That the president didn’t know what was going on. President Trump knew exactly what was going on. He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani, or the President. I have no intent, I have no reason to speak to any of these officials.”

The post Giuliani Henchman Lev Parnas to Rachel Maddow: ‘Trump Knew Exactly What Was Going On’ — WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Giuliani Henchman Lev Parnas to Rachel Maddow: ‘Trump Knew Exactly What Was Going On’ — WATCH