- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (3-month deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Public Opinion
Public opinion in Tennessee appears to be somewhat divided on LGBTQ+ issues, as evidenced by recent studies.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
History
Homosexual activity in Tennessee is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2003
Since Jun 26, 2003
Legal
US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Tennessee is state-enforced.
Current status
Since Apr 1, 2023
Since Apr 1, 2023
State-enforced
Tennessee introduced a bill banning "adult show performances" where minors could be present or be able to see.
The wording of the bill describes "dressing as a gender different from the one assigned at birth" as part of a performance to be not suited for minors and thus banned in public spaces.
This not only bans drag shows, but any performance from a trans person in public.
The wording of the bill describes "dressing as a gender different from the one assigned at birth" as part of a performance to be not suited for minors and thus banned in public spaces.
This not only bans drag shows, but any performance from a trans person in public.
Right to change legal gender in Tennessee is legal, but requires surgery.
Current status
Legal, but requires surgery
Requires surgery to change drivers license. Not legal to change birth certificate.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Tennessee is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Not currently recognized.
LGBT employment discrimination in Tennessee is no protections.
Current status
Since Jun 15, 2020
Since Jun 15, 2020
No protections
Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling, but cancelled by the Interstate Highway Act which blocks protections under religious freedoms.
No protections
As of December 16, 2014, there are no legal protections for people who are LGBT in regards to employment.
LGBT housing discrimination in Tennessee is no protections.
Current status
No protections
This state does not provide any legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identification.
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Same-sex adoption in Tennessee is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2017
Since Jun 26, 2017
Legal
Any single person is permitted to adopt per statute. State law allows any married individual to adopt their spouse's child via stepparent adoption, even though some counties or judges might give LGBT prospective parents trouble.
Married LGBT couples can adopt jointly.
Married LGBT couples can adopt jointly.
Serving openly in military in Tennessee is legal.
Current status
Since Sep 20, 2011
Since Sep 20, 2011
Legal
Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
Blood donations by MSMs in Tennessee is banned (3-month deferral).
Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Since May 11, 2023
Banned (3-month deferral)
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM) but it has not been accepted as actual policy
Banned (3-month deferral)
Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
Banned (1-year deferral)
Blood donation centers followed the non-binding FDA one year deferral guidance.
Equal age of consent in Tennessee is equal.
Current status
Equal
Age of consent laws are equitable regardless of gender or orientation.
US Equality Rank
- #49 Louisiana61
- #50 Texas61
- #51 Alabama60
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#52 Tennessee56
#107
Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?
Top Contributors
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Tennessee LGBT Organizations
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Common queries:
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