- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Legal, but banned for minors
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Public opinion in Tennessee appears to be somewhat divided on LGBTQ+ issues, as evidenced by recent studies.
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Homosexual activity in Tennessee is legal.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Tennessee is state-enforced.
Current status
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 illegal.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 2023
Illegal
On July 1st 2023, Tennessee passed a new law preventing people from changing their gender marker on their documents if it differs from the one assigned at birth. This includes birth certificates, driver's licenses, and other legal documents.
Until Jul 1, 2023
Legal, but requires surgery
Requires surgery to change drivers license. Not legal to change birth certificate.
Gender-affirming care in Tennessee is legal, but banned for minors.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 2023
Legal, but banned for minors
Adults are still able to receive gender affirming care under Tennessee Law, Minors are not able to receive gender affirming care. Under SB001, Minors are prohibited to receive gender affirming care. Adults are unable to help minors to get gender affirming care, they will face prosecution, if found doing such.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Tennessee is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Not currently recognized.
LGBT discrimination in Tennessee is no protections.
Current status
Since Feb 21, 2024
No protections
Tennessee has laws removing the right to discrimination in same-sex marriages. Same-sex couples can be discriminated against, in any setting. This law also applies to transgender people as well, LGBTQ discrimination is illegal in the USA. However, Tennessee has laws against same-sex marriage and transgender people.
LGBT employment discrimination in Tennessee is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jun 15, 2020
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
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
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.
Intersex infant surgery in Tennessee is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Despite Tennessee banning gender affirming care for minors, non-consensual, and in many cases medically unnecessary surgeries performed on intersex infants remain legal.
Serving openly in military in Tennessee is legal.
Current status
Since Feb 26, 2021
Legal under federal United States law
President Biden removed former President Trumps ban on transgender people serving in the military, transgender people are still allowed to serve as of 2024.
A year after the ban was lifted, Admiral Levine was sworn into being an Admiral, becoming the first transgender woman to hold a high rank in the Navy and in Cabinet.
A year after the ban was lifted, Admiral Levine was sworn into being an Admiral, becoming the first transgender woman to hold a high rank in the Navy and in Cabinet.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
New policy goes into effect barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria."
Legal under federal United States law
In 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed by the Obama Administration. Former President Obama allowed members who were dishonorably discharged under DADT, to receive an honorable discharge.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell under federal United States law
Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the historic compromise signed by President Bill Clinton authorizing people who are LGBT to serve in the military provided they didn't disclose sexuality. The law also removed the ability for others in the military from asking for a service member's orientation.
Blood donations by MSMs in Tennessee is legal.
Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Legal under federal United States law
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Banned (less than 6-month deferral) under federal United States law
The FDA announced changes to the blood donor eligibility policy in April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months. The change came amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where blood was needed urgently.
Banned (1-year deferral) under federal United States law
After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.
Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal United States law
Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.
Conversion therapy in Tennessee is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion Therapy is currently legal. No law currently bans it, despite organizations such as the American Psychological Association denouncing it.
Equal age of consent in Tennessee is equal.
Current status
Equal
Age of consent laws are equitable regardless of gender or orientation.
United States Equality Rank
- #49 Arkansas57
- #50 Mississippi57
- #51 Alabama57
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#52 Tennessee56
#107
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