Tennessee Republicans Can Stop the Insanity – The American Conservative
Big money maker.
The words of a Vanderbilt University Medical Center doctor in regards to the transgender surgeries the hospital performs on minors were shocking in their honesty. The only thing more horrifying than child mutilation in service to ideology is child mutilation in service to mammon. Hearing it admitted from the podium in a public lecture only made it worse. Forget making prostitution legal; the sale of human flesh is more profitable this way.
Matt Walshs recent report on the pediatric transgender clinic at the medical facilities associated with the prestigious Middle Tennessee school has already made waves in the state and across the country, as it should. Republican Governor Bill Lee has called for an investigation of VUMC, and the states House Republican Caucus chairman and majority leader have also promised to ban gender-affirming treatment for minors. But the Tennessee General Assembly wont be back in session until January, more than three months from now. In the meantime, some have already wondered if a condemnation of gender-affirming treatment for minors would be tacit approval of gender-approving treatment for adults. At any rate, its hard not to wonder if, like so many other scandals, this will blow over before the root of the problem is addressed.
Vanderbilt is not Tennessees only problem school. As one of the more liberal institutions in the state, in part thanks to its proximity to Nashville, it has always been at odds with broader Tennessees conservative tendencies. But out in the east, on the public dollar, similar tensions are brewing.
The University of Tennessee has several campuses across the state. While perhaps less prestigious than Vanderbilt, to a native Tennessean it is often the top choice of college, in part due to the appeal of its legendary football program and the license to trash talk Alabama and Florida. In the laundry list of radicalized universities, it is not near the top. Schools in a Southern, deeply red state just dont spring to mind when we envision diversity, equity, and inclusion boards. But, like so many other institutions, UT has become a breeding ground for activism in recent years, and perhaps more fervently so because of its location.
Shortly after the death of George Floyd in 2020, UT required every school and administrative unit to produce its own Diversity Action Plan. The effect of these plans, reported by journalist John Sailer, was overhauled curricula across the universitynot just once, but periodically, to reflect adherence to changing mores. The Haslam School of Business, named for the former Republican governor, promised to reassess its curriculum for issues related to social justice, equity, and the elimination of bias. The college of education, health, and human sciences required at least 75 percent of its instructors to revise their syllabi annually to reflect increased self-knowledge of these progressive issues. The school of social work introduced a new minor, Social Justice, and promised to adopt critical race theory as a framework.
Unlike Vanderbilt, however, the University of Tennessee is not presided over by the creator of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board at the University of Chicagos school of public policy. UTs president is a man named Randy Boyd, a native of Knoxville and an alumnus of the school he now directs. A professed conservative, Boyd ran in the Republican primary for governor of Tennessee in 2018. He was endorsed by the former governor, Bill Haslam, and countless party members, andthough he ultimately took second place to Leewas regarded as the establishment protege.
The university is going leftward under Boyds leadership, and perhaps it is only for lack of attention. Still, last October had to have raised some eyebrows. After fundraising for a state senator who had proposed a ban on gay marriage, Boyd, it seemed, could not take the heat. Boyd pulled his support for the candidate, apologized, and (since that is never enough) committed the states university to the cause to cover his own backside. Boyd vowed UT would raise its campus pride index score and promised to advocate for LGBTQ-friendly policies on the legislative level.
Boyd also stood by silently as the university hurriedly rescinded admission to a varsity cheer captain within days after a video surfaced of her using a racial slur in high school, several years prior.
The university takes seriously our commitment to fostering a Volunteer community that values equity, inclusion, and that promotes respect for all people, the official account tweeted after the incident.
Of course, like every other state school, the University of Tennessee is also beholden to those who hold its purse stringsin this case, a litany of Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly and Republican governor Bill Lee. Of the 99 members in the state House, 72 were Republicans in the last session; of the 33 state Senate seats, 27 were Republicans. While most seats are up for reelection in November, if history holds true, the Republican supermajority will remain.
So why is this happening in such a red state? Its a question not enough of us are asking. It is the rights perennial problem that it assumes leftward movement is irreversible; that, as the name suggests, progressivism must only progress. But the traditional wing of Tennessee has poweror rather, unbelievable access to it, if it didnt lack the political will to use it. For all the talk about the culture war on the right, it seems the politicians are only willing to take action when it doesnt ruffle feathers. Perhaps, too, the prestige of the university still subdues otherwise bold minds. But it should not, not today.
Subscribe Today Get weekly emails in your inbox
For Governor Lees part, he has made improving education a top issue for his governorship, and has increased the states education budget significantly since he was elected in 2018. Lee has also introduced a new program at the University of Tennessee, under Boyds leadership, to promote American civic education and, if the marketing is true, to combat anti-Americanism. Boyd, accordingly, assembled a bipartisan board which includes Phil Bredesen, the former Democratic governor of Tennessee, and the leftist historian Jon Meacham.
As a research university with a wide-reaching hospital system in Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilts impact, though smaller than that of UT, is much more lasting, as Walshs reporting details. Though private, the university still receives a good deal of state dollars through research grants. They are also eligible for a share of more than $463 million the state has budgeted for student scholarships in 2022-23. To make those resources contingent on a certain kind of behavior is well within the job description of a state legislature.
A leftward shift may be endemic at American universities today, but not because Tennessee, and similar red states, have lacked power to curb it.
Read more from the original source:
Tennessee Republicans Can Stop the Insanity - The American Conservative
- How much do Republicans care about the Epstein files? More than it might seem - CNN - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Senate Republicans mourn the passing of Sen. Bruce Anderson - Minnesota Senate Republicans - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republicans are ready to revive stalled health care legislation. Dems want the GOP to pay a price. - Politico - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Letters to the Editor: Republicans should be more concerned about their fiscal policies than the woke left - Los Angeles Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- North Texas Republicans gather for 'Red Rally' ahead of special session - Spectrum News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Senate Republicans Abandon All Integrity in Judicial Nomination Vote - Alliance for Justice - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Analysis: Ohio Republicans warned against out-of-state special interests. Then gifted $600M to one - Ohio Capital Journal - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republicans break down billions in ICE funding in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' - Fox News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Press Release: Hakeem Jeffries Criticizes House Republicans' "One Big Ugly Bill" as Costly and Ineffective - Quiver Quantitative - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- House Republicans know that @RepGarbarino will serve as a steady hand at the helm of the House Homeland Security Committee as Congressional... - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - MPR News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republicans food aid cuts will hit grocers in many towns that backed Trump - Politico - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Texas Republicans aim to redraw House districts at Trumps urging, but theres a risk - AP News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Hill Republicans brace for another grueling fight over Trumps spending cuts - Politico - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - El Paso Inc. - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - Norwalk Hour - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - Bay to Bay News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- What Republicans think of Musk and Trump after Musk's acrimonious exit from the administration - YouGov - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republicans at odds with Trump over release of Epstein case documents - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Georgia Republicans Have Gone Full Knives Out - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republicans are trying to pull Pat Dugan back into the District Attorney race - Billy Penn at WHYY - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Trump backs Texas plan to redraw voting maps to benefit House Republicans - Reuters - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- 'Long overdue': Senate Republicans ram through Trump's clawback package with cuts to foreign aid, NPR - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans advance nomination of former Trump lawyer Emil Bove as Democrats walk out - CNN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Governor Hochul Convenes Cabinet Meeting on Devastating Impacts of Republicans Big Ugly Bill on New York State - Governor Kathy Hochul (.gov) - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump blasts 'stupid' and 'foolish' Republicans amid calls to reveal more Epstein files - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- A risky bet? Texas Republicans poised to redraw congressional map on Trumps orders - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans to tee up House vote on Epstein resolution - The Hill - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans are split over the Trump administrations handling of Epstein files - Politico - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans Fretted Over Ceding Spending Power to Trump. Then They Voted to Do It. - The New York Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- These are the Republicans who voted against Trump's $9 billion clawback of foreign aid, NPR funding - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans Introduce Bill to Revoke the Charter of Largest US Teachers Union - Truthout - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump pushes Texas Republicans to redraw congressional maps to help defend GOP's House majority - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Is This Restaurant the Only Thing Democrats and Republicans Agree On? - The New York Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Youre Irrelevant: House Republicans Roll Their Eyes at the Freedom Caucus - NOTUS - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans plow ahead on cuts to PBS and foreign aid - Axios - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Susan Collins finally got her dream job. Fellow Republicans are making it a nightmare. - Politico - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans in Congress Shift to Backing Ukraine, Matching Trumps Reversal - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- House Speaker Johnson joins growing number of Republicans pressing Trump administration for more transparency on Epstein case - CNN - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump tells Texas Republicans to redraw the state congressional map to help keep House majority - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Behind Republicans Risky Bid to Draw Themselves Five More Seats in Texas - Cook Political Report - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- A closer look at where Senate Republicans stand on Trumps rescission request - PBS - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans narrowly advance Trump's $9 billion spending cut package - NBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- House Republicans block Democratic maneuver to force release of Epstein files - Axios - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- For Some Republicans, Trumps Shift on Epstein Is Just the Latest Breach - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans race to slash $9bn for public broadcasting and foreign aid - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans break with Trump on Epstein - The Washington Post - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans move to block Democratic effort to force release of Epstein files - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans renew a bid to remove noncitizens from the census tally behind voting maps - NPR - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- These Republicans Want More Details Over Handling of Epstein Files - Newsweek - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Opinion | Mamdani for Mayor (if You Want to Help the Republicans) - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans Proceed with Bill to Increase Energy Costs and Make Americans More Vulnerable to Nuclear Threats - House.gov - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Texas Redistricting Maneuver May Harm Republicans More Than It Helps - The American Prospect - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Texas Republicans Oldest Trick In The Book - split-ticket.org - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans in Congress break with Trump on his handling of the Epstein files - NBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans declared it crypto week in the House. Its not going as planned - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans declared it crypto week in the House. Its not going as planned - WHEC.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Ohio House Republicans will try to override Gov. DeWine property tax vetoes - Ohio Capital Journal - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- 211 House Republicans Vote to Block Release of Epstein Files - The New Republic - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- NC Republicans in Congress respond to Gov. Stein's letter on Trump budget - WRAL.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans divided over looming vote to rescind $9 billion in spending - The Spokesman-Review - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans confirm Whitney Hermandorfer, the first judge of Trumps second term - MSNBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump is crushing it, but the Republicans can still blow it in 2026 and 2028 - The Hill - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Jan. 6 Rioters Are the New Hot Event in Town for Republicans - The Wall Street Journal - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Republicans and Democrats visited Alligator Alcatraz for the first time. Heres what they saw. - Politico - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Pollster: Republicans outnumber Democrats in number of active registered voters in Louisiana for first time - louisianaradionetwork.com - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Cortez Masto Blasts Republicans for Refusing to Fix the Provision in Their Tax Bill that Limits the Wagering Loss Deduction - Senator Catherine Cortez... - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Karoline Leavitt Just Made A Trump Claim So Ridiculous That Even Republicans Are Calling It Out - Yahoo - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Republicans Blame Canada for Wildfire Smoke Suffocating the U.S. - The New York Times - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans block attempt to roll back massive tax hike on professional gamblers - AP News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Republicans run a risky strategy for holding the House that rests on redrawn maps - Politico - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- As Texas Republicans prepare for mid-decade redistricting, cautionary tales loom from the past - The Texas Tribune - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Trump warns Republicans against rejecting cuts to PBS and NPR - The Hill - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Republicans probably shouldve read their far-right megabill before passing it - MSNBC News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Republicans Are Changing Their Tune on Immigration: Poll - Newsweek - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Kelly: Republicans cut health care and food for AZ families so the wealthy could pay lower taxes - Arizona Mirror - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Think Democrats and Republicans can't work together? On sealing eviction records, they do. - Stateline - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- How Republicans Rejected A Texas Flood Warning System - The Lever - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Texas Republicans have a brazen new plan to block Democrats from retaking the House in 2026 - Mother Jones - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Ron Faucheux: Will the Big Beautiful Bill sink Republicans? - NOLA.com - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]