State Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly on Tuesday that would prohibit state and local governments from displaying LGBTQ pride flags or emblems on government property and from officially recognizing Pride Month or any other LGBTQ-related commemorative period.
Titled the “No Pride Flag or Month Act,” the bill was filed as HB 1474.
The bill broadly defines prohibited symbols to include the rainbow pride flag, transgender flag, equality flag, and any display or use of the word “pride” intended to convey support for LGBTQ identities, when used in an official government capacity.
Government employees, volunteers, and agents would also be prohibited from taking such recognition actions while acting in their official roles under the bill.
Rather than authorizing government penalties, the bill would create a private enforcement system allowing any Tennessee citizen, resident, or taxpayer to sue individuals who violate the law.
The bill says if a plaintiff prevails, the court must award declaratory relief and injunctive relief to prevent future violations. The court may also award nominal and compensatory damages, including damages for emotional distress, as well as costs and attorney’s fees.
Plaintiffs would be given up to six years under the bill from the date the cause of action accrues to bring a lawsuit, and they are not required to exhaust administrative remedies before filing suit.
HB 1474 follows a similar legislative effort by Bulso last legislative session, when he sponsored HB 0304, a bill that would have broadly restricted the display of flags on government property and in public schools to a limited list of approved flags.
That bill also relied on citizen lawsuits for enforcement but ultimately failed to be heard in the House Public Service Subcommittee before the end of the legislative session, leaving it stalled without a vote.
The General Assembly is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “State Rep. Gino Bulso” by State Rep. Gino Bulso.
Great idea Gino !
Stars&Stripes and the State flag on Government properties.
Discussion over.
Pass it.