State senate approves chilling new bill allowing homophobic families to adopt LGBTQ+ children
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In a controversial move, the Tennessee Senate has approved a bill that could potentially allow anti-LGBTQ+ families to adopt queer children. The bill, known as the Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act, was voted on by Senators on Tuesday (2 April) and will now move on to the House for further consideration.
If passed, the bill would prevent the Department of Children’s Services from discriminating against parents who hold moral or religious beliefs that are opposed to LGBTQ+ individuals. This means that families with anti-LGBTQ+ views could be allowed to adopt children in state custody, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The legislation, backed by Republican lawmakers, argues that holding anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs should not automatically disqualify someone from adopting a child. It also asserts that such beliefs do not indicate a risk of abuse towards a queer child in the care of these families.
However, critics of the bill argue that it could have harmful implications for LGBTQ+ children in the foster care system. In Tennessee, conversion therapy – the discredited practice of attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity – is still legal. This means that if the bill becomes law, anti-LGBTQ+ adoptive families could potentially subject queer children to harmful conversion practices.
The bill’s sponsors include several Republicans known for their anti-LGBTQ+ views and support for controversial legislation. Critics have pointed out that the bill goes against the best interests of the child, prioritizing the beliefs of potential adoptive parents over the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.
Democratic Senator Raumesh Akbari has spoken out against the bill, calling it “cruel” and emphasizing that a child’s well-being should not be compromised based on the beliefs of potential adoptive parents. She argued that denying someone’s existence due to religious or moral objections is unacceptable and could have a negative impact on a child’s self-identity.
Experts and advocacy groups have also condemned the bill, with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) highlighting Tennessee’s history of introducing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. The ACLU has documented at least 34 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in Tennessee in 2024 alone, while the HRC has identified the state as a high priority for achieving basic equality for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Cathryn Oakley, senior director of legal policy at HRC, described the bill as “wrong and a violation of federal law,” emphasizing that the best interests of the child should always be the primary consideration in child welfare decisions. She criticized the bill for prioritizing the interests of potential adoptive parents over the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.
As the bill moves forward in the legislative process, advocates for LGBTQ+ rights are mobilizing to oppose it and protect vulnerable children in Tennessee’s foster care system. The outcome of this legislation will have significant implications for LGBTQ+ youth in the state and could set a dangerous precedent for other states considering similar measures.
In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat across the country, it is crucial for lawmakers to prioritize the safety and well-being of all children, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The fight for equality and inclusivity continues, and it is up to advocates and allies to stand up against discriminatory legislation like the Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act.
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