A controversial bill in Tennessee meant to restrict public school discussion of sexuality and LGBT issues is set to die without a vote after the key GOP sponsor announced on Monday that he simply wouldn't bring it up.

"With that assurance and the opposition of some people who didn't want to vote on it, I've decided simply not to bring it up," Republican sponsor state Rep. Joey Hensley said, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.

"[N]o public elementary or middle school shall provide any instruction or material that discusses sexual orientation other than heterosexuality," it read.

Last year, a similar measure passed a state Senate vote, only to fail a final approval by the state House.

Missouri is also in the midst of fierce debate over broader "don't say gay" legislation that extends across public schools and into extracurricular activities.

While opposition to the measure appears to have coalesced, many of its supporters are high-profile state lawmakers.

Last month, co-sponsoring GOP state Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst enraged opponents when he compared homosexuality to bestiality while speaking in favor of the bill.

"There is no need to talk about Billy wanting to marry a goat," he said.