What We See in Tennessee Schools
Based on the total enrollment in Tennessee public high schools and national averages of LGBTQ+ youth, approximately 20,548 LGBTQ+ high school students are currently enrolled in Tennessee public high schools.
What's One of Our Biggest Concerns?
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Chronic Absenteeism
A student missing 10% or more of the days the student is enrolled – for any reason, including excused absences and out-of-school suspensions.
Why?
Why are LGBTQ+ students missing school?
Safety
58% of students do not feel safe due to their sexual orientation
43% of students do not feel safe due to their gender expression
Only nine school districts out of 146 in the State of Tennessee have enumerated protections for students based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression within their anti-bullying policies. Without enumerated protection, LGBTQ+ students are subjected to higher levels of targeted bullying by peers and faculty members with no support system to turn to for help.
Discrimination
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people.
98%
of LGBTQ+ students hear negative remarks about trans people from staff
Bullying
To use superior strength or influence to intimidate someone.
98%
of LGBTQ+ students hear homophobic remarks
Victimization
The action of singling someone out for cruel or unjust treatment
85%
of LGBTQ+ students experience some form of verbal harassment
Discrimination
"Coming out as trans as a young person is never easy, but the roadblocks put in front of me by the faculty and administration of my high school seemed insurmountable. They had me use the nurse’s restroom – which was tucked away, far from my classes, and often locked – instead of the restroom of my gender identity. At first, this seemed like the safest option, but I quickly learned how problematic this was. I was isolated from my peers by being told my body was too shameful to enter public facilities with fellow students, which took a toll on both my mental health and my academic career. "
- Henry Seaton, Former Just Us Participant
Henry Seaton Today
"Now, in a university that takes pride in and loves its trans students, where I’m free to use the restroom and my professors honor my gender, I see the full impact of supportive administration and faculty in education. With support and without fear, I’ve achieved great things in my university, including a 3.78 GPA, leadership positions, and an award for my writing. The school has truly supported my exploration of myself and empowered me to pursue my passions, and it’s made all the difference in my success in school. I cannot stress the importance of supporting gender variant students in schools. With support, I’ve regained the confidence to excel in academia that my high school took away from me, and with support, trans students across Tennessee will enliven and enrich the academic setting, letting all of our students – regardless of gender identity – experience a better, fuller education." - Henry Seaton
Bullying
56%
LGBTQ+ students hear homophobic remarks from staff
11,548
LGBTQ+ students hear homophobic remarks from staff
49%
LGBTQ+ students report cyber bullying
10,069
LGBTQ+ students report cyber bullying
Victimization
Sexual Harassment
Report sexual harassment
at school from peers
Physical Harassment
Report physical harassment
at school from peers
Physical Assault
Report physical assault
at school from peers
Students Need Unconditional Support
"Teachers who inspire the whole class to maintain respect despite differences; teachers who’ve led by example to use my pronouns despite what I may be assumed to be by a glance. Teachers who have listened; that have heard the hurt they’ve accidentally placed on they’re students and actively worked for a more equal and inclusive education."
- Charlie Anderson, Students of Stonewall at Just Us Team Member
What does this story tell us?
Educators who validate and respect every student’s identity in the classroom, increases safety, and fosters a more equitable learning experience for everyone.
School Administrators
Underestimate the Problem
Many school administrators may incorrectly believe that LGBTQ+ students do not experience discrimination, bullying, and harassment in their schools. This misconception exists in part because students do not report all incidents. According to a recent national study, many LGBTQ+ youth do not bring such incidents to the attention of administrators, and when they do, students report the perpetrators are not held accountable. .
The Journey for LGBT Inclusion at MNPS
Creating Safe Schools
Although the current state of schools may seem overwhelming, as LGBTQ+ students are disproportionately targeted for harassment, assault, and discrimination, there are many small, straightforward steps concerned individuals can take to improve the situation and ensure that all students attend open and affirming schools.
Equity Driven recommends the following actions for creating safer school environments for LGBTQ+ students, in turn creating safer schools for all students.
Enumerated Policies
The strongest anti-bullying policies have enumerated identity markers such as race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, and religion. Enumerated policies make clear that all students are protected by the school and provide teachers and administrators the power and support to intervene in situations of bullying and harassment.
Students at schools without anti-bullying policies were twice as likely to miss school as their peers at schools without enumerated anti-bullying policies.
GSAs
Gay-Straight Alliances or Gender and Sexuality Alliances: GSAs are student-led, school-based organizations that serve a variety of purposes for students, including education, support, and advocacy. GSAs can work within a school to provide resources to struggling students, to educate members and non-members about issues around gender and sexuality, and to challenge heterosexist and transphobic norms within a school and a community.
Students at schools with GSAs:
lower odds of
feeling unsafe
lower odds of homophobic bullying
lower odds of hearing homophobic remarks
lower odds of fear
based truancy
likelihood
of having supportive school staff
Trainings
Because so many teachers, counselors, and administrators have no formal requirements or coursework on how to work with and for LGBTQ+ youth, targeted trainings provide information, skills, and resources, often in the form of professional development.
Data Collection
Without rigorous data collection about sexual orientation and gender expression, teachers, administrators, and policymakers cannot have an accurate picture of the current state of LGBTQ+ students in schools. For this reason, it is imperative that school systems collect data on students’ experiences in schools—both positive and negative—and use those data in decision making. The American Psychological Association, the Williams Institute, United Nations, and the Surgeon General all recommend collecting data on sexual orientation and gender expression to better recognize, label, and address disparities.
Action Items
Enumerated Policies
Contact your school board to recommend that they adopt policies to protect LGBTQ+ students.
GSAs
Advocate to bring a GSA to your school.
Trainings
Contact Just Us at Oasis Center to schedule a training or receive additional educational materials.
Data Collection
Petition at the local and state level to collect data surrounding LGBTQ+ youth.
Where We Are Now
Enumerated Policies
of students attend schools with enumerated policies
GSAs
of students attend schools with GSAs
Trainings
of counselors report having a strong capacity to effectively support LGBTQ+ students
Data Collection
We currently do not collect any data on LGBTQ+ students
What Can You Do?
If you want to be a part of creating an equitable educational system for LGBTQ+ youth, then join us!
Contact Us
Let us know how you would like to contribute to the initiative or how we can help you.
We're located at 1704 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 200
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Reach us at: 615-983-6862