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Lawmaker fights backlash on artificial insemination parenting bill

The Tennessean NASHVILLE — A rural Tennessee Republican lawmaker is blaming the media for backlash after filing legislation that  opponents say takes aim at same-sex couples  who want to have children through a surrogate by declaring those children illegitimate under state law. Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, a Republican from Lancaster, Tenn.,  filed legislation  Thursday that would repeal a state statute that declares children conceived via artificial insemination as "legitimate," if they are born to a married woman and her consenting husband. On Monday, she and Senate sponsor, Sen. Joey Hensley, a Republican from Hohenwald, Tenn., issued a joint statement after what they called "extremely inaccurate interpretations" of the bill portrayed by the media. "These reports upset the many husbands and wives who struggle with fertility by reporting that repealing the law would ‘label the child as illegitimate despite the couple being married and both consenting.' Thi