NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Governor Bill Haslam acknowledged Wednesday that he does not support a bill that would ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students.
"It's no secret we've been part of talks there, and I've said from the very beginning I think there's better things for the legislature to occupy themselves with right now," said Governor Haslam.
Governor Haslam made the remarks following Tennessee Hospitality Day on the Hill at the Sheraton Hotel.
He went on to say that he has encouraged people to lay the issue aside.
When asked if he wanted to put it aside because it makes the state look bad in the national view, he responded by saying: "I think in the end, you have to look at any bill - what it actually says as well as the perception of it. Both of those are issues."
The sponsor of the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, Republican Representative Joey Hensley of Hohenwald, put off the bill for a week in the House Education Committee earlier this week. He did not explain his decision to the committee, but told the Associated Press afterward that he plans to run the bill regardless of the governor's wishes.
Republican Representative Bill Dunn of Knoxville said he plans to propose significant changes to the bill.
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
