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Tennessee Department of Health bars employees from using preferred pronouns

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tennesseelookout.com – Anita Wadhwani – 2025-03-17 12:13:00

Tennessee Department of Health bars employees from using preferred pronouns

by Anita Wadhwani, Tennessee Lookout
March 17, 2025

The Tennessee Department of Health has banned the use of preferred pronouns in staff emails, mirroring similar directives issued by federal agencies in response to orders issued by the Trump Administration.

The ban on the use of preferred pronouns is reflected in a “communication policy branding standards” March 5 policy update. 

The updated policy about state employees emails says that “gender pronouns may not be included in the subject line, body, or signature line for purposes of identifying the preferred pronouns of the sender.”

“Pronouns may not be used in an email unless they are being used within a sentence in the place of a noun.”

The policy revisions came at the “authority of the Commissioner of Health,” said a spokesperson. Dr. Ralph Alvarado — a former Republican state senator from Kentucky and one-time running mate with former Kentucky governor Matt Bevin — has been commissioner of the department since 2023.

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Ralph Alvarado has barred the use of pronouns in department email signatures. (Photo: John Partipilo)

The health department’s directive reflects a broader national rollback of policies intended to recognize the identities of nonbinary individuals in and out of government. 

Dean Flener, a health department spokesperson, initially responded to questions about a policy change by saying there was “not a new policy.”

The previous version of the health department policy, however, revealed no instructions on the use of preferred pronouns. That prior policy was revised March 5. 

Flener said the update reflects a “more comprehensive” reiteration of existing department policy.

“The Department’s Communication Policy previously addressed what may and may not be included in employee emails and auto-signatures,” Flener said in response to additional questions from the Lookout.

“The updated language in the policy reiterates those existing requirements in a more comprehensive manner,” he said. 

The new policy also adds one more prohibition: “emails may not include inspirational quotations.”

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Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.

The post Tennessee Department of Health bars employees from using preferred pronouns appeared first on tennesseelookout.com

News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

AM Forecast (6/17): Warm and a bit breezy today with scattered showers and storms this afternoon and

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www.youtube.com – WBIR Channel 10 – 2025-06-17 05:45:46

SUMMARY: Today will be warm and breezy with scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms, some lingering overnight into Wednesday morning. Showers and storms will return Wednesday afternoon. Thursday, a cold front moves in with a weakening line of thunderstorms overnight into Thursday morning, followed by more storms in the afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area under a level 1 risk for isolated strong storms, mainly with gusty winds. After Thursday’s trough, a high-pressure ridge will build, bringing the first 90-degree highs of 2025 this weekend, with heat indices feeling like triple digits. This heat wave may last into next week.

Rain chances stay elevated through Thursday, then the first heat wave of the year begins this weekend. Highs in the 90s could feel like the triple digits

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1 person still hospitalized after White House water rescue

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www.youtube.com – WKRN News 2 – 2025-06-16 23:31:49

SUMMARY: After heavy rain caused a creek in White House to rise rapidly, floodwaters swept three cars off Bowling Branch Road. First responders, including the White House Volunteer Fire Department, TWRA, and Gallatin and Hendersonville fire departments, rescued the occupants. Three people are doing okay, but one person remains hospitalized, struggling with breathing after water entered their lungs. Officials noted the area is not prone to flooding, leaving residents unprepared. Rescuers urge the public to heed the warning “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” emphasizing the dangers of rushing water, which moves faster than it appears. The hospitalized individual is expected to recover.

First responders helped four people — one of whom is still in the hospital — after floodwaters swept their cars off the road in White House Sunday night.

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News from the South - Tennessee News Feed

‘We’ve become a competitor’: Tennessee’s film and television industry on the rise

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www.wkrn.com – Sam Chimenti – 2025-06-16 19:48:00

SUMMARY: The new series “9-1-1: Nashville” is filming in Middle Tennessee this summer and reflects a growing trend in TV and movie production across the state. Increased activity is largely due to expanded state incentives, including grants of up to 25% for productions spending \$200,000 or more. Since 2008, these programs have helped add over 13,000 jobs and generated nearly \$730 million in 2023. Industry professionals like Dave Hodgin, now overseeing logistics for “9-1-1: Nashville,” say demand is statewide, reaching Memphis and Knoxville. Officials credit incentives for attracting not just film but also scoring and animation projects to Tennessee.

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The post 'We've become a competitor': Tennessee's film and television industry on the rise appeared first on www.wkrn.com

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