For those interested in learning more about how abortion affects the body, watch this heart moving picture about how it enlightened one person and the people who watch it.

PLEASE NOTE: IT IS "R" RATED. IT'S NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

"Rep. Dunn's prudence and persistence toward accomplishing pro-life goals have been key to establishing one of the most significant state records of Right to Life policy in the country."
Karen Brukardt, TRL Board Member​

Raised by parents who served as early founders of Tennessee Right to Life in the 1970s, state Rep. Bill Dunn's pro-life roots run deep. His leadership during the 1990s as president of the local Right to Life chapter in Knoxville exemplified an astute understanding of pro-life politics and the importance of organizing advocates for effective action. Dunn's election to the state House in 1994 would prove pivotal in the fierce legislative battles that followed to promote meaningful pro-life policies, especially the sixteen-year effort to pass pro-life Amendment 1 in 2014.

"It is hard to imagine a more important figure in Tennessee's pro-life legislative history," said Karen Brukardt, Tennessee Right to Life Board member, and former Legislative Liaison. "Rep. Dunn's prudence and persistence toward accomplishing pro-life goals have been key to establishing one of the most significant state records of Right to Life policy in the country," said Brukardt. "Tennessee remains the only state to have now passed both a pro-life amendment to our state Constitution as well as legislation to fully restore our state's pre-Roe laws upon overturn of the landmark ruling in whole or in part. Dunn's thoughtful guidance and careful counsel to pro-life leaders and legislators over the years has been instrumental in passing laws that are enforceable and effective in saving lives and helping women and families in need."

"Perhaps most remarkable is the decorum and dignity with which Rep. Dunn maintains himself among colleagues and advocates, even among those with whom he disagrees," said Brukardt. "His mature and moral leadership will be deeply missed at the General Assembly but we remain confident that Tennessee Right to Life will continue to benefit from the wisdom, good will, and compassion that embodies Bill Dunn." 

An Alabama court has recognized an aborted fetus as a person with legal rights, a decision that's reportedly never been made in the United States before.

The decision allows the baby's would-be-father and the aborted fetus to sue the abortion clinic, their employees and the pharmaceutical company who makes the medication used to terminate the pregnancy.

"We have already had a victory, and it was the first one of its kind ever," attorney for the would-be-father Brent Helms said. "This is the first estate that I'm aware of that has ever been opened for an aborted baby."

Now that the terminated fetus is recognized as a person in Madison County, Ala., the would-be-father, Ryan Magers, legally represents it.

"It can further pursue not only me, but other fathers – other future fathers – can pursue it, as well," Magers said.

Magers and the baby, referred to as "Baby Roe" in court documents, are suing the Alabama Women's Center and others involved in ending the pregnancy. The pregnancy was reportedly terminated six weeks after Magers' girlfriend learned she was pregnant.

Because existing state law declares life begins at conception, Helms said he believes the case could eventually reach the Supreme Court and create lasting legal precedent.

"The only thing that estate has is the right to sue, and so that is what Ryan is doing – is suing on behalf of Baby Roe's estate," Helms said. "We are confident, and this is a step in the right direction."

The lawsuit follows a state constitutional amendment approved in November during the 2018 midterm election cycle by 59 percent of Alabamians, which made it Alabama state policy to "ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child" and "recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of the unborn children, including the right to life." The ballot measure, known as Amendment 2, legally defines a person as "any human being from the moment of fertilization or the functional equivalent thereof" and states that no provisions of state's constitution "secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion."

One of the main proponents for Amendment 2, Personhood Alabama, brought the wrongful death lawsuit against Alabama's Women's Center with Magers. The pro-life advocacy group praised the filing in a blog post at the time, calling the lawsuit a "timely reminder that every single abortion committed is a chilling assault on a precious and innocent human life."

The controversial amendment has been criticized by some reproductive health care providers and pro-choice advocates who believe the passage of Amendment 2 threatens to effectively ban abortion in Alabama if Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that protected a person's right to make their own medical decisions, including the right to terminate a pregnancy, is overturned. Reproductive health advocates have also expressed concern that personhood advocates may be willing to support legislation that would restrict abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, and pose a threat to birth control access for women across the state.

Dalton Johnson, who owns the Alabama Women's Center, said he was not aware of the lawsuit when approached by ABC WAAY 31. Johnson said since the fetus was aborted at six weeks, and a woman can decide how she wants to terminate her pregnancy – either by medication or surgery.

Magers previously told the local ABC affiliate that he begged his girlfriend to keep the baby.

"I just tried to plead with her and plead with her and just talk to her about it and see what I could do," he said. "But, in the end, there was nothing I could do to change her mind."

He told the news station that even though it is too late for him to stop his girlfriend's abortion, he wants to give a voice to other would-be-fathers who find themselves in the same spot.

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The Alabama Women's Center must respond to the lawsuit by April 1.

Tennessee Right to Life expresses full support and appreciation to state Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville) for his principled Pro-life leadership. As chairman of the influential state Senate Judiciary Committee, Bell helped on Tuesday to shepherd passage of the Human Life Protection Act sponsored by Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville). If enacted this “trigger law” mirrors those in a growing number of states and guarantees the full restoration of Tennessee’s protective laws when Roe vs. Wade is overturned in whole or in part. Tennessee’s strongly protective Pro-life statutes were stripped off the state law books following Roe vs. Wade and must be restored in order to fully protect Tennessee’s women, girls and unborn children from abortion. 

Additionally, Chairman Mike Bell gracefully guided debate and testimony on Tuesday evening which resulted in the proposed “heartbeat bill” being scheduled for further testimony and deliberation in August. Many Pro-life observers have noted that Tennessee’s proposed Heartbeat law is not significantly different from those already struck down in each state where it has been passed. Building a legislative record of findings could provide for a stronger legal defense should the “heartbeat bill” be challenged, as it inevitably will be, if passed by the Tennessee legislature. 

Voting with Chairman Bell in support of the Life Protection Act were Bowling, Gardenhire, Lundberg, Roberts, Stevens, and White. Voting Pro-abortion were Kyle and Robinson (7-2). 

Voting with Chairman Bell in support of a deliberative study committee which would increase chances of the “heartbeat bill” withstanding constitutional scrutiny were Gardenhire, Lundberg & Stevens.

Please contact these members of the Senate Judicial Committee to express your support by clicking on their names above.

Bans Abortion When Roe v. Wade is Overturned

Tennessee Right to Life applauds final passage of the Human Life Protection Act which will take effect upon the reversal of Roe v Wade, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Supreme Court. It will enact the full restoration of Tennessee's protective pre-Roe laws. The act restores the right of Tennesseans to decide these public policies on abortion for ourselves.

"It has always been the priority of Tennessee's pro-life movement to restore the fullest possible protection to the largest number of unborn children and women in our state," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. "While states like New York are moving to strip any limits to abortion--even at the moments before birth---Tennessee wants to be known for protecting our children."

As states like New York seek to prepare for the possible overturn of Roe v. Wade, pro-life Tennesseans are working to ensure that our state is among the most protective for abortion vulnerable women, girls, and unborn children.

On Monday evening, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the legislation by a vote of 26 - 5. After passing the Senate, the House overwhelmingly approved the legislation 69 - 24. The Act now heads to Governor Bill Lee's desk for his signature.

Prime sponsors of the measure were Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) and Representative Susan Lynn (R-Mount Juliet.) "This pro-life bill was passed overwhelmingly in large part due to the vigilant care with which sponsors Gresham and Lynn shepherded the measure. Tennessee Right to Life expresses our appreciation for their work and wisdom," said Trecia Dillingham, board member for the organization. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Legislature to restore full protection to the vulnerable unborn in our state," said Dillingham.

The legislators voting in support of Pro-life SB 1257/HB 1029 include the following:

Senators: Bailey (R), Bell (R), Briggs (R), Crowe (R), Gardenhire (R), Gresham (R), Haile (R), Hensley (R), Jackson (R), Johnson (R), Kelsey (R), Kurita (I), Lundberg (R), Massey (R), Lt. Gov. McNally (R), Niceley (R), Pody (R), Reeves (R), Roberts (R), Rose (R), Southerland (R), Stevens (R), Swann (R), Watson (R), White (R), Yager (R). 

Representatives: Baum (R), Boyd (R), Bricken (R), Byrd (R), Calfee (R), Carr (R), Carter (R), Cepicky (R), Cochran (R), Crawford (R), Curcio (R), DeBerry (D), Doggett (R), Dunn (R), Eldridge (R), Faison (R), Farmer (R), Gant (R), Garrett (R), Griffey (R), Halford (R), Hall (R), Haston (R), Hawk (R), Helton (R), Hicks (R), Hill M (R), Hill T (R), Holsclaw (R), Holt (R), Howell (R), Hulsey (R), Johnson C (R), Keisling (R), Kumar (R), Lafferty (R), Lamberth (R), Leatherwood (R), Littleton (R), Lynn (R), Marsh (R), Moon (R), Ogles (R), Powers (R), Ragan (R), Ramsey (R), Reedy (R), Rudd (R), Rudder (R), Russell (R), Sanderson (R), Sexton J (R), Sherrell (R), Smith (R), Sparks (R), Terry (R), Tillis (R), Todd (R), Travis (R), Van Huss (R), Vaughan (R), Weaver (R), White (R), Whitson (R), Williams (R), Windle (D), Wright (R), Zachary (R), Mr. Speaker Casada (R).

Competition in Charleston, South Carolina

“You have a choice to stand for life or to stand for death. For all these unborn children and those who have been broken and mislead, will you join me? Will you fight for life like you are on your warhorse in the greatest battle of all time? Because that is what we are in! Now is the time!” This call to action is in the speech given by Lindsey White, winner of this year's Tennessee Right to Life Pro-Life Oratory Contest for high school students.

The 20th annual event was held at Saint Cecilia Academy in Nashville on Saturday, April 27. Winners from 13 participating chapters across the state qualified to attend by competing against over 50 public, private, and home-schooled students in grades 9-12. Each contestant researched, wrote, and presented an original 5-7 minute pro-life speech on abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, or stem-cell research.

Lindsey, a high school senior from Rutherford County, opened with the story of Norma McCorvey, also known as Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade. Lindsey, pictured at left, continued to speak about protecting life,  “Evidence of when life begins is all throughout science. According to medical records, the genes and sex of the baby are set at the very instant of fertilization....Once the object of life has been decided, it is obvious that no age can make the brutality of abortion bearable. What happened to the rights of the peaceful child with soft skin and tiny hands, curled up in the womb of its mother? They have a right, a right that is violated before they can fight for it..."

Other finalists in the state contest were Jacob Price, a senior from Greater Chattanooga area, encouraged everyone to stand and fight the increasing reasons for euthanasia; Sarah Camp, a sophomore representing Lawrence County, told of what led her to be Pro-life; and Mary Claire Birge, a senior representing Knox County, shared that every person, regardless of disability or situation, deserves a right to life.

Later this summer, Lindsey will represent Tennessee at the National Right to Life Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest in Charleston, S.C.

“The students who present speeches at this annual event never cease to amaze me. Any of our finalists would represent Tennessee well at the national competition!” exclaimed Frances Arthur, oratory contest chairman. “Their speeches were impressive and their delivery was impassioned. I hope that each of the county winners will be given opportunities to share their speeches again. These are our future leaders, and it is our responsibility to support them in their endeavors.”

Tennessee Right to Life commends all of the contestants in Saturday's contest, as well as Tennessee Right to Life chapters who organized local competitions. Contestants competing on Saturday: Mary Claire Birge, Knox County, Grace Borck, Smith County, Brent Boutelle, Fentress County, Sarah Camp, Lawrence County, Kendal Matas, Davidson/Williamson Counties, Olivia Nichols, Claiborne County, Zachary Person, Shelby County, Jacob Price, Greater Chattanooga, Mary Clare Schachle, Dickson County, Calvin Shaw, Cheatham County, Violet Thorne, Wilson County and Lindsey White, Rutherford County.

In a resounding victory for pro-life Tennesseans, judges on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals have rejected a pro-abortion effort to overturn the 2014 voter passage of Amendment 1.“Although the subject of abortion rights will continue to be controversial in Tennessee and across our nation, it is time for uncertainty surrounding the people’s 2014 approval and ratification of Amendment 1 to be put to rest,” wrote Senior Judge David McKeague, a 2005 appointee of George W. Bush.

Tennessee Right to Life expressed gratitude to the many supporters, advocates, and voters who sacrificed to see Amendment 1 placed on the ballot and passed by public vote. It was made necessary by a radical pro-abortion decision by Tennessee Supreme Court in 2000, which wrongly declared a so-called “fundamental right to abortion” in the Tennessee Constitution thereby making enforcement of common-sense protections impossible in Tennessee.

Passage of SJR 127 and Amendment 1 remained the top priority and legislative goal of Tennessee Right to Life for more than 16 years.

Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life, said, “Today’s ruling is vindication of the state’s amendment process and victory for the thousands of pro-life Tennesseans who sacrificed to see Amendment 1 passed.”

“We are grateful to the legislators who placed the amendment on the ballot, to voters who approved it, and to the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Coordinator of Elections who all worked tirelessly to defend it,” Harris said.

“The voices of Tennessee’s voters have been heard and, as a result, public policy decisions on the matter of abortion can be rightly debated and determined by the people’s representatives.”

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, State Representative Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City) announced he would be introducing legislation to outlaw funding of Planned Parenthood in the state of Tennessee following the federal appeals court decision to uphold the 2014 vote on Amendment 1.

“A false narrative exists in Tennessee that Planned Parenthood doesn’t receive Tennessee tax-payer dollars,” Matlock said. “Media and professional politicians from both sides of the aisle have reinforced this false narrative time and time again to protect their funding. It is beyond time for Tennessee leaders to show integrity and honesty by putting this to bed once and for all.”

In 2011, lawmakers diverted funds directly received by Planned Parenthood through Tennessee Department of Health. Lawmakers claimed that doing so defunded Planned Parenthood, but Matlock said this is not true.

“The claim that diverting funds and funneling them through a state department somehow defunds Planned Parenthood is misleading and dishonest,” Matlock said. “Planned Parenthood themselves admitted to still receiving money.”

In 2015, Tennessee State Rep. Andy Holt (R-Dresden) led an investigation into Planned Parenthood funding after the organization claimed they received no Tennessee tax-payer money. Holt found that the organization did receive money.

Holt discovered that from 2011- 2015, Planned Parenthood of Tennessee received $108,100 tax-payer dollars. Of that amount, just under $11,000 came directly from Tennessee while the rest came from the federal government. Tennessee Planned Parenthood Executive Director Jeff Teague reportedly admitted to receiving the money, saying that the money is for TennCare patients seen at Planned Parenthood’s clinics.

Matlock said, “We tried to stop this in 2015, but were told that we couldn’t because the state would risk losing Title X Medicaid dollars. Well, thanks to President Trump signing HJR43 last April, there’s no longer an excuse, and I won’t accept one from a legislature with a Republican supermajority.

“President Trump has given us the ability to now codify, once and for all, that not a single penny of Tennessee tax-dollars will be given to Planned Parenthood, and I know my Republican colleagues are looking forward to making it happen.”

Supporters of Planned Parenthood point to the federal Hyde Amendment and similar state laws that “ban” Planned Parenthood from using tax dollars to fund abortion. Matlock said the laws are mostly feel good measures that are totally ineffective and only serve to allow legislators a cop-out of actually doing the right thing.

“Look, I’ve been in business for 37 years,” Matlock said. “If you give me $108k in tax-payer money and tell me I can’t use it to pay my employees, but everything else is fair game, do you think I care? Absolutely not. I can use that money to pay for my utilities, taxes, product, rent, and so on. Guess what? That’s now freed up $108k from my bottom line that can now be used to pay my employees with.

“So, at the end of the day, I’m not having to use $108k of my own profit to pay employees because I got $108k from the taxpayers to cover my expenses.

“It’s a simple matter of cost-shifting,” Matlock said. “The Hyde Amendment and similar state laws are ineffective. Planned Parenthood still gets taxpayer money and they’re using it to pay the electric bills, or whatever else, and that then allows them greater profit on the murder of innocent children.

“In Tennessee, it ends this year.”

Rep. Matlock doesn’t expect any opposition to the proposed legislation.

“I don’t expect any opposition to this legislation,” he said. “I know my Republican colleagues will stand by me and finally codify, once and for all, that Planned Parenthood can receive no tax-payer dollars.

“In addition, because Planned Parenthood and their allies on the left push a narrative that they don’t receive taxpayer dollars to begin with, they shouldn’t have a single bit of opposition to the legislation either.”