Please, vote YES on HB2691 and NO on HB2451 when they come before the House Health Subcommittee on March 22.

HB2691:  Tennessee is the only state with a statute preventing a change in gender marker on a birth certificate. In fact, the matter is before the courts now.

If people can change the gender marker on their U.S. passports, there is no reason that people born in Tennessee shouldn't be able to change the gender marker on their birth certificates. Having an updated birth certificate can help people in many situations such as obtaining employment because of the effect birth certificates have on other records.

Tennessee should join the other 49 states in making it possible for our residents to align their birth certificates to their gender identities.

HB2451:  This bill claims to be about parent rights. It has been amended in the Senate to focus on vaccines and mental health screenings and surveys. Please, think carefully before proceeding with this bill. We don't know enough about how this amended proposal will affect state and federal health orders and programs, which could affect funding. Mental health screenings are a valuable tool that can help save and improve the lives of students. The state should not micromanage that process.

Thank you for considering my views.