DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Tennessee House passes bill saying same-sex marriages do not have to be recognized

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A bill that says same-sex marriages do not have to be recognized in the state of Tennessee was passed by the Tennessee House of Representatives on Thursday.

HB 1473 states that "private citizens and organizations are not bound by the Fourteenth Amendment or the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges to recognize a marriage between individuals of the same sex; prohibits the board of professional responsibility from disciplining or sanctioning an attorney for declining to officiate a marriage between two persons of the same sex."

marriages do not have to be recognized
tennessee flag
Photo by: WTVF
File - Tennessee flag
By: Kelly Broderick
Posted 11:50 AM, Feb 19, 2026

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A bill that says same-sex marriages do not have to be recognized in the state of Tennessee was passed by the Tennessee House of Representatives on Thursday.

HB 1473 states that "private citizens and organizations are not bound by the Fourteenth Amendment or the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges to recognize a marriage between individuals of the same sex; prohibits the board of professional responsibility from disciplining or sanctioning an attorney for declining to officiate a marriage between two persons of the same sex."

The bill also says attorneys who decline to officiate marriages between those of the same sex would not be disciplined nor sanctioned.

House Bill 1473 will now be considered in the Senate. If approved, it will take effect July 1.

The following is a statement from Tennessee Equality Project:

"Attacking the recognition of people's marriages is one of the worst ways for the Tennessee House to spend its time. This bill sows fear about the very protections that give families security and it fails to address real problems in our state like emergency preparedness and the affordability crisis. Hate won today, but those of us fighting for love and our families will prevail here or in the courts."

State Rep. Gino Bulso, who presented the legislation made this statement:

"The overwhelming majority of Tennesseans already affirmed what we have known for all of history: marriage is between one man and one woman," said Bulso. "This legislation protects religious liberty in the Volunteer State by clarifying that private citizens can never be forced to recognize any other definition. I'm grateful to my Republican colleagues for standing with me to defend the common-sense values that have shaped our state and nation."

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/t..._f_zpLZeSUh4c_aem_RMvexYfFrUq06rdcXeg1dA

That is Awesome!!! Good for Tennessee. I hope it passes.

If you dont believe in gay marraige ... Dont get gay married...Otherwise why does it bother anyone. Live and let live, separation of church and state.

Why do you care who other people marry? If you don't like gay marriage don't get gay married. Why do you think others who believe differently than yourself don't deserve the same rights as you do?

I just ant to see if you'll be honest about it.

Because some people think they have the right to inflict their moral and religious beliefs on all U.S citizens and anyone who believes differently than they do doesn't matter.

People choose to be gay. They are nothing more than sexual deviants and should not be celebrated and given special rights. Marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman. Who someone sleeps with is none of my concern but condoning marriage outside of the boundaries it was created to have is a problem. How is that for honesty?

There is a large number of MAGA types that seem to wanna control what goes on in others folks bedrooms and bathrooms... What are they so insecure about I wonder?

Is Day worried that if he sees a gay couple kissing, that he'll want to join in? Someone should tell him, it doesn't work that way.

I'm not totally sure.

First the idea that someone "chooses to be gay" doesn't really make any sense. Why would someone choose to be deemed as an outcast by their families, many of their friends and judgemental people such as yourself? Why would someone "choose" to be a person that has to fight like hell to be treated equally to every other American?

Who says allowing them to get married and have the "same rights" as you, me or anyone be "celebrating" them or giving them "special rights"?

According to your belief system marriage is between one man and one woman. According to your opinion they are deviants. What gives you the right to force your opinion and your beliefs on the whole of society? Why do you as a person feel you should be given more rights than people that believe differently or are different than yourself?