I have come to believe that the clamor for more gun control laws and the push for laws suppressing drag shows and transgender procedures for minors share a certain worldview. That worldview, one I shared and operated under for two decades, explains why passing laws hasn't done much, if anything, to change the direction of things. I hope you can learn from my experience and join me in reconsidering something I once thought true.

I have watched with great interest and a bit of amusement the controversy over drag queen shows, first in some of our cities and more recently in our state legislature. A federal district court has already prevented enforcement of the new state law regulating such shows on the ground that it violates the free speech provision of the First Amendment, in addition to being unconstitutionally vague. I firmly believe there is a solution to these constitutional challenges, but at present our state’s political leadership seems uninterested.

Last week Richard Dawkins, an avowed atheist and evolutionary scientist, said “there are two sexes, and that’s all there is to it” and that those going after Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, over gender identity were “bullies.” Via Facebook, evangelist Franklin Graham said, “I usually don’t take sides with an atheist but on this issue, I agree 100%.” Here is what I wish Mr. Graham had said instead.  

On Monday the state House approved by a vote of 70 to 14 a bill previously approved by the state Senate by a vote of 27 to 4. The bill prohibits biological males who “identify” as female from competing against biological females in collegiate sporting events. After its passage I asked myself why Republican legislators would deem it overwhelmingly important to recognize the distinction between biological males and females in sports but not in marriage, represented by their general lack of interest in supporting the Marital Contract Recording Act. You won’t like the answer.

Several years ago, June was designated as “Pride Month” by the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender community. That designation has since been picked up and celebrated by many in the business community and even many civil governing bodies. This morning I came to better understand the designation and its growing acceptance. In fact, here is why I think we should designate every day as “Pride Day” and make it for all of us.

This week, a bill sponsored by Tennessee state Representative Scott Cepicky took a first step in the state House toward keeping biological males from competing against biological females in high school sporting events. Here are grounds on which I could oppose the bill, or at least the reasons given in support of the bill (do not jump to conclusions!)