Please, vote NO on HB1689 when it comes to the House floor on June 2.

I would oppose this bill at any time, but I am particularly concerned that the House is spending time on this issue during our state's health and economic crisis when so many residents don't really have the opportunity to weigh in. Passing this bill is not only a distraction from the focus on health and recovery, but it will paint a target on Tennessee that will actually hurt our economic recovery. As we try to reopen the economy, passing this bill will give people reasons not to invest in Tennessee.

Every student deserves the opportunity to play school sports and receive the physical and mental health benefits that come with it. The law should not be used to stigmatize transgender students.

This bill purports to be about defending the opportunities of young women and girls. In fact, it would have the opposite effect, as the example of Mack Beggs in Texas shows. He is a transgender man who was forced to compete in women's wrestling in high school. He won two titles in 2017 and 2018, thus depriving the young women competitors of winning in their divisions.

It is also important to point out that there has been inadequate discussion of how the bill will be implemented in school districts. There will be impacts on school record keeping and student privacy that have not been thought through.

Thank you for considering my views.