Tennessee House OKs Bill Letting Clergy, Firms Refuse Same-Sex Marriage

The Tennessee House passes HB1473, clarifying that private citizens, organizations, clergy, and even judges can refuse to recognize or officiate same-sex marriages without facing discipline from the Board of Judicial Conduct. Co-sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso stresses this doesn't change existing law, rooted in Tennessee Code 36-3-113 defining marriage as between one man and one woman, and notes the 14th Amendment limits state power, not private citizens' rights. Read more about this...