Local lawmaker weighs in on controversial legislation

NASHVILLE — Some controversial bills are currently getting attention in the state legislature.

A bill that was recently revived would require public school students to use restrooms that match their sex at birth regardless if they have had a sexual reassignment surgery.

Another bill that passed in the house Wednesday would allow counselors the right to turn away a case that went against their religious beliefs or principles.

“It’s not an effort to do away with counseling for a segmentation of society,” said State Rep. Andy Holt, a Republican from Weakley County. “It’s simply to allow counselors to refer out specific individuals to other counselors.”

Opponents of the measure say it would allow therapists to discriminate against the LGBT community, but those who support the bill says it protects people’s First Amendment rights.