The Tennessee Legislature is advancing a bill that would require public school employees to disclose information about transgender students to their parents. This bill, which has already passed the House and is awaiting final approval in the Senate, is part of a larger trend of Republican-led states enacting legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community. If signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee would join other states like Alabama, Arizona, and North Carolina in requiring such disclosure.
During a House floor hearing, Democratic lawmakers criticized their Republican colleagues for targeting vulnerable LGBTQ+ children with this bill. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Mary Littleton, argued that parents have a right to know if their child is seeking therapy related to their gender identity. While acknowledging that she did not consult with any transgender students before introducing the bill, Littleton stated that some teachers expressed concerns about the responsibility of keeping such information confidential.
The legislation mandates that school employees must report any student actions related to affirming their gender identity, such as using a different name or pronoun, to an administrator who would then inform the parent. The bill also includes provisions that allow parents or the state attorney general to take legal action if they feel the school district is not complying with the law. This bill is just one of several aimed at the LGBTQ+ community in Tennessee, including recent measures concerning LGBTQ+ foster children and gender-affirming care for minors.
In addition to the bill targeting transgender students’ rights, Tennessee Republicans have passed various other laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights in the state. These include legislation protecting teachers who do not use a transgender student’s preferred pronouns, limiting transgender athletes, and allowing parents to opt their children out of discussions about gender and sexuality in classrooms. The broader trend of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Tennessee mirrors similar actions taken by Republican-led state legislatures across the country.
The passage of this bill in Tennessee reflects a growing divide between Republican and Democratic lawmakers on LGBTQ+ issues. While Republicans argue for parental rights and the need for transparency in schools, Democrats maintain that such legislation further marginalizes and harms transgender students. With the bill poised to become law in Tennessee, the state is set to join the ranks of others with similar laws that impact the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community.
