Tennessee lawmakers pass ‘Charlie Kirk Act’ targeting students who protest anti-LGBTQ+ speakers
Charlie Kirk had a long history of anti-LGBTQ+ comments (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Tennessee lawmakers passed the so-called “Charlie Kirk Act” on Wednesday (15 April), a sweeping bill that could see students and faculty disciplined, or even expelled, for protesting speakers on campus over anti-LGBTQ+ views.
The legislation would bar Tennessee colleges and universities from restricting invited speakers based on their views, explicitly protecting “opposition to abortion, homosexuality, or transgender behaviour”.
The bill is now headed to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for signature. Once signed, the policies outlined in the bill will take effect immediately; the rest of the bill’s provisions will take effect on 1 July.
Under the bill, common forms of protest such as walkouts, chanting, or holding signs that obstruct views could be deemed disruptive and punished with probation, suspension, or expulsion.
Institutions will also be required to adopt the University of Chicago’s free expression policy, which prioritises open debate over shielding students from harmful or inflammatory rhetoric.
This bill, with companion parts Senate Bill 1741 and House Bill 1476, is sponsored by Sen. Paul Rose and Rep. Gino Bulso in the Senate and House, respectively.
According to WPLN, Bulso explained why the act is named after Kirk.
He said: “It’s named after him, not because he had a conservative viewpoint, but because he actually gave his life in the defence of freedom of expression and doing so in a civil manner.”
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