By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers.
For decades, June has been designated as Pride Month, an observation of the culture and contributions of LGBTQ+ people to American life.
This year, the month is starting with what members of Tennessee’s LGBTQ+ community and advocates call “medical censorship” and a measure that is “insulting” to the community.
Sam Stockard writes about a new law prohibiting physicians from asking minors questions about gender, and Anita Wadhwani reports on a Republican-led proclamation declaring June “Nuclear Family Month.”
The proclamation is one of several similar ones across the country apparently aimed at casting aspersions not only on LGBTQ+ families, but single-parent families or families in which grandparents are the primary caregivers. Alabama has “Strong Families Month,” Indiana also has “Nuclear Family Month” and Utah and Arkansas have “Fidelity Month.”
Finally: The Lookout turned six on May 6! We didn’t celebrate because we were covering the special redistricting legislative session. Now, we want to thank you for supporting us over the last six years and for contributing to help us in our 7th year. If you’d still like to donate, it’s not too late.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
LGBTQ+ groups are criticizing a new law limiting how doctors can speak to minors. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are criticizing a new law prohibiting doctors from asking minor patients questions about gender, saying it could be disastrous for transgender children.
NEWS AND NOTES
US House approves measure to restrain Trump action in Iran | Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Congress weighs cuts to states’ already ‘insufficient’ election security dollars | Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
CoreCivic Has Nearly Doubled Its ICE Revenue. Wall Street Wants More. | Nick Pipitone, Nashville Scene
FEATURED ON THE LOOKOUT
Tennessee Republicans designated June, which has traditionally been LBGTQ+ Pride Month, as “Nuclear Family Month.” (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
The month of June, long marked by celebrations of LGBTQ Pride, has been designated “nuclear family month” in Tennessee after Republican lawmakers earlier this year voted to adopt a resolution that says “one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children” are “God’s design.”
FEATURED ON THE LOOKOUT
The Tennessee Education Lottery has funded college scholarships since its launch in 2003. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
by Adam Friedman
Tennessee Education Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul will retire from her position at the end of 2026, ending her tenure almost 23 years after she helped launch the state’s program.
ICYMI
Volunteer watchers detail harassment, surveillance and pushback from Memphis Safe Task Force | Anita Wadhwani and Cassandra Stephenson
Tennessee lawmakers push ban on state property tax | Sam Stockard
COMMENTARY
Tennessee Realtors say funds from political action committee attacks communities, violates ethics | Rodney Tate, Jr. and Nathan Weinberg
Editor’s notebook: The silence of Tennessee’s ‘statesmen’ | J. Holly McCall
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