How Tennessee's Religious Protections For Therapists Fit Into The Gay Marriage Debate

WPLN | By Blake Farmer,

Blake Farmer, Chas Sisk

Published April 11, 2016 at 5:25 AM CDT

Tennessee lawmakers have considered several bills that are seen as a response to national politics, including the bill that would allow therapists to refuse patients over religious objections.

WPLN's Chas Sisk explains how the proposed protections for therapists are related to other bills debated following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.

One of the bills Tennessee’s governor is feeling pressured to veto would let therapists deny service to clients if they feel they would be violating their own religious beliefs. State capitol correspondent Chas Sisk joins WPLN’s Blake Farmer to explain why the debate is an important one.

Links For Listening:

Therapists step up veto calls.

The American Counseling Association's position is here.

Gov. Bill Haslam on hearing from supportive counselors:

"Some of them feel very strongly that, 'I'm not doing my job if someone comes to me wanting help with a problem, if I don't at least tell them here's where I'm coming from. That I'm doing them a disservice.'"

Family Action Council of Tennessee asks supporters for lobbying help.

Read the bill, which has passed both chambers but with slight differences that have to be worked out before heading to the governor.