tennessee-house-delegitimize-same-sex-marriage-hb1473

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Political Correspondent | JRL CHARTS

LAS VEGAS — (February 19, 2026) — The Tennessee House of Representatives has passed HB1473, a controversial measure critics say seeks to delegitimize same-sex marriage recognition by allowing private entities to refuse acknowledgment of legally married LGBTQ couples.

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The legislation now advances to the Tennessee Senate, where it faces additional procedural and committee hurdles before potentially reaching the governor’s desk.

What HB1473 Would Do

HB1473 seeks to create exemptions for private individuals and organizations from federal anti-discrimination requirements tied to marriage recognition. The bill’s language refers to same-sex unions as “purported marriages,” a phrase that drew immediate backlash from LGBTQ advocates and Democratic lawmakers.

Supporters of the bill argue it is limited in scope and applies only to how private citizens and private institutions recognize marriages — not to the issuance of marriage licenses by the state.

The measure directly challenges the legal precedent established in Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Republican Lawmakers Defend Constitutionality

Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Franklin), the bill’s sponsor, defended the legislation on the House floor, arguing that the Supreme Court overstepped its authority in the 2015 ruling.

Bulso stated that the right to same-sex marriage is not explicitly found in the text of the 14th Amendment and maintained that the legislation is structured to withstand constitutional scrutiny because it addresses private recognition rather than state authorization.

Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) echoed similar sentiments, framing the issue in religious and constitutional terms.

Republicans, who hold a supermajority in the Tennessee legislature, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill.

LGBTQ Advocates Warn of Real-World Consequences

Civil rights groups and LGBTQ business leaders warn that the bill could create confusion and harm legally married couples — particularly in rural communities where smaller institutions may exercise the exemptions provided under the measure.

Chris Sanders of the Tennessee Equality Project argued that allowing private entities to question or disregard lawful marriages could affect hospital visitation rights, emergency medical decisions, financial benefits, and employer-based leave policies.

Similarly, Tom Lee of the Tennessee Pride Chamber testified that the bill could allow private employers or lenders to deny benefits typically granted to married couples — potentially forcing same-sex couples to pay higher rates or lose workplace protections.

Opponents argue that even if legally narrow in structure, the bill signals broader efforts to undermine marriage equality protections established under federal law.

Legal and Political Outlook

If passed by the Senate, HB1473 would likely face immediate legal challenges in federal court. Legal scholars note that federal constitutional precedent remains binding unless overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The bill emerges amid a broader national debate over the scope of religious liberty protections and the durability of Supreme Court precedents involving LGBTQ rights.

As of now, same-sex marriage remains legal nationwide under Obergefell v. Hodges.

JRL CHARTS will continue monitoring developments as the bill moves through the Tennessee Senate.

For verified reporting on legislation impacting LGBTQ rights nationwide, stay with JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics News — Delivering Fact-Based Coverage That Matters.