Public officials in Tennessee can now refuse to grant a marriage license to anyone at their own discretion, for any reason.

Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 878 on Wednesday, which took effect immediately. The bill — just a few sentences in length — only states that “a person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage.” Only state notary publics, government officials, and religious figures can “solemnize” a marriage in Tennessee, according to state code.

None of the sponsors behind the bill have been made public statements on its introduction or passage, nor have they given comment to media organizations. The only known remarks regarding the law from state Rep. Monty Fritts (take a guess), who sponsored it in the House, are from February of last year, when he spoke to the state Subcommittee on Children and Family Affairs.

  • Jimmyeatsausage@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    43
    ·
    edit-2
    9 months ago

    It’s bad when private entities discriminate. It’s a million times worse when the government does.

    Edit: I did forget to mention though, being a removed isn’t a protected class…sexual orientation is.

      • spongebue@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        22
        ·
        9 months ago

        Discriminating against a woman isn’t sexism. Neither is discriminating against a man. Discriminating against anyone on the basis of their sex is sexism, and that’s not what’s happening here (unless the bank has hardly any women customers?)

        Source: know how to use brain in ways other than making half-baked ideas of what other people may be thinking.

        • jordanlund@lemmy.worldM
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          9 months ago

          Removed, rule 6, 24 hour ban.

          “No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning”

      • jordanlund@lemmy.worldM
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        9 months ago

        Removed, rule 6, 24 hour ban.

        “No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning”