KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee General Assembly faced lawsuits, expulsions and fights on the House floor in a bizarre and contentious 2023 for Tennessee politics. East Tennessee lawmakers played a large role.
The year began with several bills passed, which advocates consider anti-LGBTQ+. The first bill introduced in both the Tennessee House and Senate banned gender-affirming procedures for transgender minors. That law, signed by Governor Lee, has been subject to lawsuits. The ACLU has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, though the court has not ruled.
Another law tied up in the courts is Tennessee's controversial anti-drag show law. The law, passed this year, effectively banned drag shows in public places and where minors would be able to see them. Two judges have separately blocked local district attorneys general from enforcing that law.
"Drag shows don't just pop up like flash mobs and sprinkle gay dust on your kids," said Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update Anchor Colin Jost, when Gov. Bill Lee signed that law.
Lawmakers also passed laws that would protect teachers who didn't refer to students by their preferred pronouns and required government documentation to include the person's sex assigned at birth.
"Pro-family is, we love all the kids, no matter who they are," said Aly Chapman, the chair of the local Tennessee Equality Project.
In another instance where Saturday Night Live poked fun at Tennessee's leadership, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally from Oak Ridge was found commenting on Instagram photos of a young gay man with provocative posts.
RELATED: Lt. Gov. Randy McNally says he's 'pausing' his social media activity after liking LGBTQ posts
As the session continued, the Covenant School Shooting consumed lawmakers and protestors. Six people were killed in the shooting, including three 9-year-olds, and the shooter died as well.
Protestors filled the square in front of the state capitol, arguing for stricter gun laws. Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) joined Reps. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Shelby County) on the House floor, holding up signs and speaking near "the well." Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House voted to expel Representatives Jones and Pearson, while Johnson survived her expulsion vote.
Jones and Pearson were re-elected to their seats in special elections.
"I believe their actions on that day, which has never happened in our entire state history, that rises to the level of being expelled," said House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville).
In August, Governor Bill Lee called a special session for public safety, in response to the Covenant School Shooting. Protestors and more statewide attention came to the Capitol.
East Tennessee Congressman Lowell Russell (R-Vonore) cleared the room of protestors in a subcommittee hearing.
The session ended with pushing and shoving between Sexton, Jones and Pearson.
Covenant School parents argued lawmakers didn't do enough to prevent another shooting from happening in Tennessee.