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Findings from the GLSEN 2015 National School Climate Survey demonstrate that Tennessee schools were not safe for most le
2015 STATE SNAPSHOT SCHOOL CLIMATE IN

TENNESSEE Findings from the GLSEN 2015 National School Climate Survey demonstrate that Tennessee schools were not safe for most lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) secondary school students. In addition, many LGBTQ students in Tennessee did not have access to important school resources, such as having Gay-Straight Alliances or similar student clubs, and were not protected by comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment school policies. FACT: The majority of LGBTQ students in Tennessee regularly heard anti-LGBT remarks (Fig. 1). Many also regularly heard school staff make homophobic remarks (28%) and negative remarks about someone’s gender expression (47%).

FACT: Most LGBTQ students in Tennessee had been victimized at school (Fig. 2). Of those, most never reported the incident to Figurestudents 1. Hearing Anti-LGBT from Figure 2. Identity-based Harassment & Assau school staff (58%). Only 32% of those who reportedRemarks incidents said it resulted in effective staff intervention.

Students in Tennessee Schools in Tennessee Schools (percentage of LGBTQ students hearing remarks (percentage of LGBTQ students harassed or assa Figure 1. Hearing Anti-LGBT Remarks from Figure 2. Identity-based Harassment & Assault sometimes, often, or frequently) Students in Tennessee Schools in Tennessee Schools 8 Sexual (percentage of 100% LGBTQ students hearing remarks (percentage of LGBTQ students harassed or assaulted) 36% 91% 90% 89% Orientation sometimes, often, or frequently) 18%

100% 80% 60% 40%

91%

80% 90% 60%

76% Sexual Orientation

89% 76%

40% 20%

Gender Expression Gender

0%

83%

Gender36% 18% Expression 13%

13% 57%

26% Gender

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10%

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53%

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15% 3% 2% Verbal Harassment 22% 9% Harassment Physical 6%

23% or Race 10% Ethnicity 15% 3% Disability 2%

Verbal Haras

Physical Har “Gay” Used in Homophobic Negative Negative Race or a Negative Remarks Remarks Remarks Physical Assa Ethnicity 0% Way (e.g., (e.g., ‘fag” about Gender about “Gay” Used in Homophobic Negative Negative 22% “that’s so “dyke”) Expression Transgender a Negative Remarks Remarks Remarks 9% Disability 0% Physical 20%Assault 40% 60% 80% gay”) People Way (e.g., (e.g., ‘fag” about Gender about 6% “that’s so “dyke”) Expression Transgender 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% gay”) People

20%

FACT: Many LGBTQ students in Tennessee reported discriminatory policies or practices at their school (Fig. 3). Most (72%) experienced at least one form of discrimination at school during the past year. Figure 3. Discrimination Against LGBTQ Students • The most frequent form of discrimination experienced by in Tennessee Schools Tennessee’s LGBTQ students was being disciplined for public (percentage that were prevented from...) affection that does not result in similar action when it occurs Figure 3. Discrimination Against LGBTQ Students between non-LGBTQ students (42%). in Tennessee Schools Expressing PDA in School

42%

that were prevented from...) • In Tennessee, 1 in 5 LGBTQ students (22%), and half (percentage of transgender students (50%), were unable to use the school Date Expressing PDA in SchoolBringing a Same-gender42% restroom that aligned with their gender. Additionally, about 1 to a School Dance in 5 LGBTQ students (21%), and half of transgender students Bringing a Same-gender Date Wearing Clothes Considered 28% (50%), were prevented from using their preferred name and to a School Dance Inappropriate for Their Gender gender pronouns in school.

28% 27%

Using the Bathroom or Locker Wearing Clothes Considered

27% • LGBTQ students experienced other forms of school Room that Aligns with Gender Inappropriate for Their Gender discrimination (not in Fig. 3): being unable to wear LGBTUsing the Bathroom or Locker Using Their Preferred supportive apparel (20%), being unable to discuss LGBT issues 22% Name Room that Aligns with Gender or Gender Pronoun in assignments (28%), being unable to include LGBT themes in extracurricular activities (e.g. school yearbook, Day of Silence) Using Their Preferred Name 21% a GSA Forming or Promoting (25%), and being prevented or discouraged from orplaying Genderschool Pronoun sports due to an LGBT identity (15%). 19%

Forming or Promoting a GSA 0%

GLSEN 110 William Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10038

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22% 21% 19% 0%

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(212) 727-0135 . glsen.org facebook.com/glsen . twitter: @glsen Figure 4. Availability of LGBT-Related Resources &

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Forming or Promoting a GSA 0%

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FACT: Many LGBTQ students in Tennessee did not have access to in-school resources and supports (Fig. 4). • Only 3% attended a school with a comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policy that included specific protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. • The vast majority could identify at least one school staff member supportive of LGBT students, but only 2 in 5 (42%) could identify 6 or more supportive school staff. • Only 30% had access to a Gay-Straight Alliance or similar student club which provides a safe and affirming space and promotes a more welcoming school climate for LGBTQ students. • Only 11% were taught positive things about LGBT people in class.

Figure 4. Availability of LGBT-Related Resources & Supports in Tennessee Schools Comprehensive Policy

3%

At Least One Supportive Educator

94%

6 or More Supportive Educators

42%

Gay-Straight Alliance

30% 11%

Inclusive Curriculum Library Resources

37%

Internet Access

40% 0%

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100%

RECOMMENDATIONS School-based supports such as comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policies, school personnel who are supportive of LGBTQ students, Gay-Straight Alliances, and LGBT-inclusive curricular resources can positively affect school climate for LGBTQ students. Findings from the 2015 National School Climate Survey demonstrate that students attending schools with these resources and supports report more positive school experiences, including lower victimization and absenteeism and higher academic achievement. Given the high percentages of LGBTQ students in Tennessee who experience harassment at school and the limited access to key resources and supports that can have a positive effect on their school experiences, it is critical that Tennessee school leaders, education policymakers, and other individuals who are obligated to provide safe learning environments for all students take the following steps: • Implement comprehensive school anti-bullying/harassment policies; • Support Gay-Straight Alliances; • Provide professional development for school staff on LGBTQ student issues; and • Increase student access to LGBT-inclusive curricular resources. These actions can move us toward a future in which all students in Tennessee will have the opportunity to learn and succeed in school, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about GLSEN and to get involved, visit glsen.org or contact [email protected]. To get involved in the Tennessee chapter, visit glsen.org/chapters/middletn or contact [email protected].

ABOUT THE RESEARCH In 2015, GLSEN conducted the ninth National School Climate Survey (NSCS), a biennial survey of the experiences of LGBTQ youth in U.S. secondary schools. The national sample consisted of 10,528 LGBTQ students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. A total of 198 respondents were attending schools in Tennessee. The Tennessee sample was majority White/European American (84%), 6% Hispanic/Latino, 6% Multiracial, 3% Black/African American, and 1% Asian/South Asian/Pacific Islander. The gender composition was 25% cisgender male, 32% cisgender female, 15% transgender, 14% genderqueer, and 15% another gender (e.g., genderfluid). Most (89%) attended public schools. The school community makeup was 36% rural/small town, 40% suburban, and 24% urban. The results reported for Tennessee have a margin of error of +/-7%. For the full 2015 National School Climate Survey report or for any other GLSEN research, go to glsen.org/research. Follow @GLSENResearch on Twitter. Suggested citation: GLSEN. (2017). School Climate in Tennessee (State Snapshot). New York: GLSEN. GLSEN is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. © GLSEN 2017

GLSEN 110 William Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10038

(212) 727-0135 . glsen.org facebook.com/glsen . twitter: @glsen