LGBTQ advocacy group calls on schools to tell students about law requiring teachers to out trans/nonbinary students

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A new Tennessee law requiring teachers to inform parents if a student wishes to be identified as a gender other than the one assigned at birth is causing confusion and controversy across the state, according to the Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBTQ advocacy group.

“We are seeing chaos, I think, in some school districts, and we’re seeing a smoother implementation in other districts,” said TEP Executive Director Chris Sanders.

The law requires teachers and school staff to tell the school administrators and parents if a student requests to use a different gender identity at school.

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Opponents of the law are worried it could force teachers to “out” students who may not feel safe or comfortable sharing this information with their parents.

“If we don’t inform the students, we’re setting a trap,” Sanders said. “If they inform a teacher, and they don’t know that information is going to the parents, and the parents are not supportive, abuse, punishment, getting kicked out, all kinds of retribution could be waiting for that student.”

Therefore, the Equality Project is asking parents, teachers, school staff, and students to report their experience with the law so they can have a better understanding of how it is being implemented and advocate for schools to be upfront about the requirements.

Sanders said they have already received dozens of updates from Middle and East Tennessee but have not heard much from people in West Tennessee.

“Some are telling students about the law, whether it be in a written form or in an assembly or at the beginning of class. Others are not saying a thing, and others are being told not to say anything about the new law,” he said.

Supporters of the law argue parents have a right to know what kids are up to at school.

“Do we allow their injuries? Do we allow their grades? Do we allow their bad behavior (to be kept secret)? What information do we hide from our parents right now in our school system? I assume the answer is not much, if any, that we would keep from parents,” said Rep. Greg Martin (R-Hamilton County) during a debate over the bill.

The law has already caused some controversy around the state.

In a recent Johnson County Schools board meeting, parents expressed outrage after a teacher informed students about the law in class. The teacher also shared their pronouns when a student asked, which are they/them, further intensifying the backlash.

“She was under the impression she was supposed to address this law with her class,” one parent said during the meeting.

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The Tennessee Equality Project plans to continue monitoring how the law is being implemented throughout the school year.

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