Law targets Trans foster children says TEP

By Logan Langlois NASHVILLE, TN — Governor Bill Lee signed HB2169/ SB1738 into law earlier this week, introduced by Representative Mary Littleton in the State House and Senator Paul Rose in the Senate. Civil Rights groups such as the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) have criticized the bill as a threat to the civil rights of trans foster children as it would prohibit “the Department of Children’s Services from requiring an adoptive or foster parent to support a policy on sexual orientation or gender identity that conflicts with the parent’s sincerely held religious or moral beliefs.” TEP Policy Researcher Jace Wilder said he is afraid the bill will negatively impact some of the state’s most vulnerable children already going through a difficult process. He said many of the kids being targeted have already faced rejection by their families for their identity, and that many face discrimination within the foster care community.& “The continued attack on trans people has been going on for years and this is just another step in that direction,” Wilder said. “But unfortunately, it’s targeting our most vulnerable children.”& A Tennessee State Attorney who focuses on Child Advocacy, Nannette Clark, agreed with Wilder that she was saddened, but...