On Thursday, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Tennessee law that requires people seeking an abortion to observe a 48-hour waiting period between their first visit to a clinic and when they can obtain an abortion. The federal appeals court’s decision overturns a ruling from a lower court, which declared the law […]
Human Rights Campaign Sues Tennessee over Anti-Transgender “Bathroom Bill”
The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ civil rights organization, filed a lawsuit Tuesday to challenge Tennessee’s latest anti-transgender law. The “bathroom bill” prevents trans students from using the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity. The law was signed in May by Tennessee governor Bill Lee and went into effect July 1. It requires that […]
Tennessee Passes Bill Targeting Transgender People
On Monday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law a bill to require government facilities and businesses to post signage letting the public know if they allow transgender people to use bathrooms associated with their gender identity. The law is the first of its kind, and will go into effect on July 1. A few […]
Tennessee Legislators Introduce Bill Allowing Fathers to Prevent Abortion
Tennessee legislators have introduced a bill that if passed would allow biological fathers to receive a court injunction preventing the pregnant person from receiving an abortion. SB 494 was introduced in the Tennessee state Senate last week by Republican state Sen. Mark Pody, with a corresponding bill HB 1079 introduced in the state House by […]
Judge Temporarily Blocks Tennessee Abortion Ban
A federal judge temporarily blocked Tennessee’s abortion law on Friday. The law – or “heartbeat bill” – would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks. The bill was previously stopped through a temporary restraining order by District Judge William L. Campbell less than an hour after […]
Three National Organizations Challenge Tennessee Heartbeat Bill
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Planned Parenthood, and the Center for Reproductive Rights filed an emergency lawsuit Friday afternoon against Tennessee’s heartbeat bill. The lawsuit aims to block the legislation from being enacted and ultimately declared unconstitutional. If enforced, the bill would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. This can occur as […]
Tennessee Legislature Passes Bill Banning Abortion After Fetal Heartbeat Is Detected
On Friday, the Tennessee legislature passed a bill banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected – generally after 6 weeks of gestation. The bill was passed as part of larger budget negotiations held between Tennessee’s two legislative chambers. Its passage came as a shock to many pro-choice advocates, as the bill was not […]
States Tell Workers Return to Work During Pandemic or Lose Unemployment Benefits
Some states, including Iowa and Texas, have begun to reopen their economies amidst the coronavirus pandemic and have warned residents that employees who refuse to return to their jobs will be ineligible for unemployment benefits. These policies force workers to decide between their health and unemployment insurance and could facilitate the spread of COVID-19. Congress […]
Judge Blocks Tennessee’s Coronavirus Abortion Ban
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s halt on procedural abortions during the coronavirus pandemic. This decision is another victory for reproductive rights advocates fighting abortion bans across the United States, including in Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled Friday that Tennessee cannot […]
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First Black Miss Tennessee Crowned last Weekend
History was made last weekend when Brianna Mason was crowned Miss Tennessee, becoming the first African-American woman to win the title in the pageant’s eight-decade history. By winning Miss Tennessee she will now get the chance to compete in the Miss America pageant later this year. This win is part of a larger trend of […]
Child Sex-Trafficking Survivor Cyntoia Brown To Be Released From Prison
On Monday morning Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam granted executive clemency to 30-year-old Cyntoia Brown—a survivor of child sex trafficking who was convicted in 2004 of first degree murder after killing a 43-year-old man who had purchased her for sex. Brown, who at 16-years-old was sentenced to life in prison, is now scheduled to be released on August 7, 2019.
Tennessee Supreme Court: Cyntoia Brown Must Serve 51 Years Before Eligible for Parole
On Thursday, the Tennessee Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Cyntoia Brown–a sex-trafficking victim who at 16 was sentenced to life in prison for killing a 43-year-old Nashville man who bought her for sex–will have to serve at least 51 years in prison before being eligible for release.
Tennessee Woman Pleads Guilty to Attempted Procurement of a Miscarriage
This week, Anna Yocca, the 32 year old Tennessee woman who has been in jail a year waiting trial over allegations that she attempted to induce her own abortion, was released after pleading guilty to attempted procurement of a miscarriage.
Tennessee Woman Faces New Charges for Allegedly Attempting to Self-Induce Abortion
A Tennessee woman accused of attempting to induce her own abortion pled not guilty yesterday to three new felony charges from a grand jury including aggravated assault with a weapon, attempted procurement of a miscarriage and attempted criminal abortion.
Federal Court Orders Recount of Vote on Anti-Abortion Tennessee Ballot Measure
A federal court on Friday ordered Tennessee election officials to recount the votes cast during the 2014 election on Amendment 1, an anti-abortion state constitutional amendment.
Tennessee Voters Challenge Anti-Abortion Constitutional Amendment in Federal Court
Voters in Tennessee have mounted a legal challenge to a 2014 state constitutional amendment — known as Amendment 1 — declaring that there is no right to abortion in Tennessee, even in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment.
Tennessee Fetal Assault Law Will Expire in July
In a win for reproductive justice advocates, a Tennessee bill that would have permanently extended the state’s dangerous “Fetal Assault Law” was defeated in a 3-3 committee vote on Tuesday. The law will now sunset on July 1st.
Tennessee Woman Faces Jail For Coat Hanger Abortion
A Tennessee woman was arrested and charged with attempted murder last week, three months after an attempt to terminate her pregnancy using a coat hanger.
Tennessee and Chicago Move Forward with Plans for Free Community College
Many Americans had not heard of the proposal to make 2 years of community college free until President Obama’s State of the Union address. Tennessee and Chicago, however, have long been working to make this plan a reality for their students.
Former Vanderbilt Football Players Found Guilty in Campus Sexual Assault Case
Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg, both former football players, will hear their sentencing on March 6.
