Baptist and Reflector
NASHVILLE — Tennessee recently became the third state to enact legislation that requires transgender athletes to compete in school sports according to their sex at birth.
Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill into law on March 26, and his actions were applauded by many conservative voices around the state, including Baptist and Reflector editor Lonnie Wilkey.
In a recent blog — entitled “Common Sense Finally Prevails” — Wilkey praised Tennessee lawmakers for not bowing to “political correctness” regarding this bill.
“It’s refreshing to see politicians come together and not let their ties to one party or the other prevent them from doing what’s right,” Wilkey wrote in his blog, which can be found on the Baptist and Reflector website at baptistandreflector.org/common-sense-finally-prevails/ .
Lonnie Wilkey
The bill drew immediate critism from LGBTQ advocates, who deemed the bill to be discriminatory. Joe Woolley, CEO of the Nashville LGBT Chamber, told The Tennessean that the bill and others like it were “purely political attacks.”
Lee released a message on social media after signing the bill, saying on Twitter: “I signed the bill to preserve women’s athletics and ensure fair competition.”
Wilkey noted that many Christ-followers will likely join him in applauding the bill.
“Those who oppose the bill say it’s about hate,” Wilkey wrote in his blog. “(But) it’s not about hate. It’s about obeying God’s Word. God clearly states in Genesis 1 that He made male and female. There is nothing in between.”
“If a person chooses to identify with another sex, that is a personal choice,” he wrote. “They still have rights as a human being that should not be violated.”
Mississippi and Arkansas were the first states to pass legislation requiring athletes to compete in school sports according to their sex at birth.
The American Civil Liberties Union in Tennessee has threatened to sue the state. B&R
