TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Amelia Ferrell Knisely on Sep 2, 2015

Some Tennesssee lawmakers disagree with the the University of Tennessee’s request in a recent Office of Diversity newsletter that encourages students to use gender-neutral pronouns such as “ze." According to the Times Free Press, Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, said the request is "the clearest example of political correctness run amok that I have seen in quite some time." Ramsey said UT officials should resolve the issue or the legislature will weigh in when it returns in January. University spokeswoman Karen Ann Simsen said there is no mandate or official policy to use the language intended to make the campus more inclusive for gays, lesbians and transgender students.