Tennessee's version of the so-called 'bathroom' bill has gained a chorus of concern, including city leaders who said Music City could lose more than $50 million in revenue.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Representative Susan Lynn, requires transgender, public school students to use the bathroom that coincides with the gender on their birth certificate. That means a transgender girl is not allowed to use the girl's restroom.
"Students have a constitutional right to use the restroom of their given sex, not the restroom of the other sex," Rep. Lynn said.
Lynn claimed the bill came after several parents complained to her that transgender students use bathrooms that match the gender they identify with. She was unable to provide a specific number of complaints when asked.
City leaders, including Mayor Megan Barry, have been speaking out against the bill, saying Nashville could lose millions of dollars in tourism dollars.
"A natural disaster is what it would take to rival the potential impact," President of the Nashville Visitor and Convention Corporation Butch Spyridon said.
He estimated as many as 12 large convention groups said they will cancel their trips to the area if the bill passes.
That's close to $58 million in lost revenue. Tourism dollars were not the only concern.
Television and movie production insiders said they are worried companies will pull the plug on productions like Nashville and Million Dollar Quartet.
Peter Kurland, President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 492, said nearly 100 people he represents could lose their jobs.
"The people who work in my industry, this is what they do," Kurland said. This how the feed their families, pay for their houses and if that work goes away, it will be devastating to them."
Lionsgate, which leads production of Nashville has already pulled out of North Carolina after that state passed a similar bill. Viacom, the parent company of CMT, said they also disagree with the bill.
"Viacom and CMT have a deep commitment to tolerance, diversity and inclusion, and discriminatory laws like HB2414 and SB2387 are inconsistent with our values," said a Viacom spokesperson. "As proud members of Tennessee’s welcoming and vibrant business community, we implore state lawmakers to reject these proposals."
When asked about the growing controversy surrounding her bill, Rep. Lynn said she doesn't understand why people believe it's discriminatory. Despite hearing how much money the city could lose, she still stands behind the bill.
"Sex has always been determined by your genetics and it's only within the last year have tried to make the argument and we all know it isn't more than that," Rep. Lynn added. "I don't see myself pulling it."
Attached to the bill is a fiscal note, which claims a portion of the nearly $1 billion in federal funding Tennessee receives for education could be at risk if the bill is voted into law.
The bill has passed the House Education Administration and Planning Committee by a vote of 8-4. A Senate committee will hear a version of the bill next week.
