The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Matt Sharp, director of the ADF Center for Public Policy, regarding Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s signing Friday of HB 1270, a bill that prohibits government entities from forcing students, teachers, professors, and other public employees to use inaccurate pronouns in violation of their sincerely held beliefs:
“No one should lose their job or face punishment at school or work for declining to say something they believe is false. Words and language carry meaning, and when used properly, they communicate truth about the world. Forcing individuals to say things that are false—such as inaccurate pronouns—imposes real harm on the speaker. In no world is it acceptable for the government to discipline students or force good educators or other public servants out of a job all for the sake of promoting gender ideology. With this legislation, Tennessee is rightfully stepping into the gap to protect freedom of speech and conscience. ADF commends Rep. Mark Cochran, Sen. Paul Rose, and the Tennessee Legislature for their leadership, and Gov. Lee for signing it into law.”
Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.
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