Only 11, Oak Ridge High GSA student talks about being bullied for being gay

A student who is a member of Oak Ridge High School's GSA has shared the following thoughts about being bullied for being gay via Beth Adler, the adviser for the club.  Please, take a moment to read it and consider what's going on in our schools and in our Legislature:

In nature humans think of themselves to survive.  In society they do it to elevate themselves to a superior level. Those mighty who travel in packs dictate who I am and don’t allow my true self to just be ... gay. The word is often hurled as an insult, beating me down. I feel sorry for someone who believes being different is wrong because they miss out on the enormous world of amazing people. They see gays and think “God wouldn’t approve” so they yell “FAGGOT!” as a put down. Not nearly enough people understand what it is like to feel ashamed of being yourself. They aren’t concerned with how it feels because all they think of is themselves. That needs to change.

My story is like many others. Words of hate like “girl shoes”, “gay”, and “faggot” fly as I enter a hostile classroom. It’s a constant flow of attempts to put me down. I.Won’t. Let. Them. They can laugh in my face, point at my boots, but they will never reach my soul. Believe in what you believe, keep your head up high, and don’t ever let them put you down is the phase which shields me from the sorrow. I know some of those people base their life on God, but If they left God for a bit to put themselves in my skin they might see through my eyes.

In America, we say we have freedom and are “God’s best friend,” why then does a good man have to hide himself? Why must he be afraid to say he is gay? Why should he hesitate to tell his “dark secret”? Why does he have to allow what he is to be used against him as a word of insult? As the people stand by, the government chooses to exclude those citizens whom they believe are disgraceful. Every individual inside and outside of the gay community can take the hand of a friend and stand up to this exclusion.

First, I have to say how completely sad this piece is and how brave and thoughtful the student is!  Second, thank goodness for GSAs. It's clear we need safe spaces in our schools for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students. Third, what are we doing in state public policy?  Why is Don't Say Gay going through so many iterations?  We need to move forward with the Dignity for All Students Act.  An 11-year-old can see.  Why can't we?

Upper Cumberland Pride brings celebratory end to the 107th Tennessee General Assembly

"Your eyes don't deceive you. That's a pride celebration in Cookeville, TN with lots of people." said  Nashville Committee Chair Chris Sanders who reposted this picture on Facebook on Saturday. At least one observer from Cookeville beleieved that as many as 1000 people attended the event over the course of the day. 

The Upper Cumberland Committee provided an absolutely amazing LGBT Pride celebration in Cookeville, Tennessee on Saturday - a perfect end to a week of victories and positive news for LGBT people, their families and their allies in Tennessee. Upper Cumberland Pride which was sponsored by TEP Foundation also brought an inspiring end to the legislative session. Traveling back and forth on the road to Cookeville from my home in Memphis gave me some time to reflect on Tennessee Equality Project's efforts to advance and protect the rights of LGBT people and their families in state government. I'm pleased to share that with few exceptions we've done well for Tennessee during the last 5 months of the legislative session

Several members of the 107th Tennessee General Assembly promoted legislation with a far-right social agenda that attacked LGBT people and contradicted conservative ideals of smaller government. Much of that legislation focused "below the belt."

Police the Potty Bill Flushed!

The session began with the "Police the Potty" bill (HB2279) which would have criminalized the use of public restrooms and dressing rooms by transgender people. Rep. Richard Floyd threatened to "stomp a mudhole" through any transgender person he found in a restroom. Public pressure compelled the Senate sponsor to withdraw his version of the bill (SB2282). I can’t remember a lawmaker having this much concern about what’s happening in the stall next to him since Idaho Senator Larry Craig’s infamous troubles in a Minneapolis Airport men’s room. Tennessee Equality Project quickly responded against this bill along with Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition and other allies. No other Senator was willing to file a companion bill, so the legislation could not advance. The death of this bill was our first victory of the session but other lawmakers continued to obsess over what happens below the belt until the end of the session.

It's Still Okay to Say GAY! in Tennessee

Two bills with a rather prurient interest in sex education in public schools advanced this session, but only one passed both houses of the legislature. The "No Hand Holding" bill (HB3621/SB3310) which prohibited the teaching of something called "gateway sexual activity" in public education sought to leave Tennessee's youth with no information about how to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases should they become sexually active. By shifting the emphasis of sex education to "abstinence only," students and parents will now have to go outside public schools for accurate information about vital, life-saving strategies for good health. Tennessee parents deserve more sex education options to choose from in public schools for their children. While the "No Hand Holding" bill became law, other efforts to redefine sex education failed. 

Stacey Campfield's "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB0229/SB0049) passed in the Senate last year and re-appeared on the agenda in the State House this year. In its amended form, the bill would have banned "classroom instruction, course materials or other informational resources that are inconsistent with natural human reproduction" in grades K-8. Tennessee Equality Project fought hard against this bill with a multi-pronged approach that included professional lobbying, mass media, and YouTube videos made by students, parents and educators, visits with lawmakers, attendance at House committee hearings, phone calls, emails, and letters. Our lobbying strategy significantly reduced lawmakers' desire to vote on this bill. But they were also affected, as we all were, by the news of two gay students in Tennessee who completed suicided after enduring anti-gay bullying in school. Many conservative lawmakers began to realize that marginalizing LGBT students with anti-gay and anti-trans legislation would only increase the incidence of bullying in public schools. 

Despite opposition from Governor Bill Haslam, House Speaker Beth Harwell and other House leadership, Rep. Joey Hensley (HB0229's sponsor) continued to push his bill forward in the House. HB0229 advanced with close margins in the House Education Subcommittee and House Education Committee before landing in the House Calendar and Rules Committee. Lawmakers who wanted no part in voting on this legislation never scheduled HB0229 for a floor vote before the House of Representatives adjourned for the year. This victory was hard to win and would not have been possible without the efforts of people like you.

Special Rights for Bullies Defeated!

Many of our supporters will recall the  "License to Bully" bill that appeared early in the session with the full backing of Family Action Council of Tennessee. David Fowler sought to write special protections into state law for students who harassed, intimidated or bullied fellow students based on their "expression of religious, philosophical, or political views." Early in the session, Tennessee Equality Project observed that lawmakers were attempting to place students in double jeopardy with the License to Bully and Don't Say Gay bills. "Students with an anti-gay bias would be free and encouraged to bully LGBTQ students, and teachers and other school staff would be prohibited from speaking about the issue."  The same TEP lobbying strategy used against the Don't Say Gay bill helped keep the License to Bully bill from advancing in the legislature.  Another victory for safe schools and equality in Tennessee!

Gay-Straight Alliances are Here to Stay in Tennessee

Tennessee Equality Project can also declare a victory in protecting the status of Gay-Straight Alliances in public schools throughout the state. In a past legislative session, Sen. Stacey Campfield targeted GSAs by introducing a bill requiring all students to obtain permission to participate in school clubs and activities. The bill would have placed many LGBT or questioning students at risk by forcing them to "come out" to their parents before participating in their school's Gay-Straight Alliance. Schools faced a potential nightmare in trying to manage all the permission slips for students participating in Spanish Club, the Thespian Society, the football team, cheer leading squad. etc. Tennessee Equality Project intervened by persuading the House sponsor to amend the language of the bill (HB2548/SB2488). Rather than require parents to "opt in" their children for school activities and clubs, the bill would give parents the opportunity to "opt out" their children from participating in school activities and clubs. The bill which passed into law essentially maintains the status quo by reinforcing the right of parents to balance their children's extracurricular activities with academic achievement.

Governor Bill Haslam Stands Up to Bullies in His Own Party

We can declare another victory with an education bill vetoed by Governor Bill Haslam. Your calls to the Governor helped give him the extra push he needed. The Governor announced last Wednesday that he would veto the "Anti-All Comers" bill that targeted Vanderbilt University's inclusive non-discrimination policy:

Although I disagree with Vanderbilt’s policy, as someone who strongly believes in limited government, I think it is inappropriate for government to mandate the policies of a private institution.

Supporters of the bill feared that Christian student organizations might elect someone into a leadership position who didn't hold the same beliefs as their group (e.g., LGBT people, Muslims, Jews, atheists, etc.). In reality, Haslam had to veto the amended form of HB3576/SB3597. Last year, he signed HB600/SB632 into law which forbade local governments from enacting laws which extended nondiscrimination provisions to private businesses that exceeded protections defined in state or federal law. The bill overturned a Nashville ordinance protecting LGBT employees of private contractors doing business with local government. Signing HB3576/SB3597 into law would have been a clear argument that Tennessee State Government was not concerned with preventing government interference in private business. Haslam really had no choice but to veto this bill in order to maintain the facade that the his party is the protector of private business' ability to make their own policies.

While Haslam can claim a consistent political philosophy, David Fowler and the Family Action Council of Tennessee cannot. Isn't it interesting that Family Action Council of Tennessee pushed the state legislature to enact HB600/SB632 with a pro-business argument, but pushed HB3576/SB3597 with a pro-religious arguments? With these two bills and the License to Bully bill (HB2548/SB2488), FACT tried to create special rights to discriminate against LGBT for people of faith. We can expect FACT to keep trying this "pro-business" approach in the 108th Tennessee General Assembly.

Knoxville Sends a Clear Message to Stacey Campfield

The prize for most inspiring good news last week goes to the City of Knoxville for enacting an ordinance protecting city employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or disability (characteristics missing from the previous law on the books). Senator Stacey Campfield can't get a break. His Don't Say Gay bill lost, he can't find a restaurant that will serve him in his home town, and he won't find anyone in Knoxville City Government who agrees with his bigotry toward LGBT people (The Knoxville City Council enacted the nondiscrimination ordinance with a unanimous vote). Time to take a hint Senator.

Tennesseans Value Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The movement for equality and inclusion of LGBT people and their families is gaining ground in Tennessee. It's hard to realize sometimes when you consider the forces of opposition inside and outside our current government. I am persuaded that Tennesseans in the not-so-distant future will look back on the 107th General Assembly and shake their heads in wonderment. "What were they thinking?" they'll ask.

I am confident in my optimism after attending last Saturday's pride event in Cookeville.  Knowing the organizers of the Upper Cumberland Committee as I do, I fully expected to see a good turnout at Dogwood Park for Upper Cumberland Pride. What I encountered was a groundswell of people hungry for change in the rural Upper Cumberland Region of our state. Equality, diversity and inclusion aren't just big city values; they are Tennessee values that are here to stay.

- Jonathan Cole

Will Governor Haslam stand up to the bullies in his own party?

In this week's issue of the Memphis Flyer, Copy Editor Joe Brown calls Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to task for whining about the media's coverage of embarassing legislation proposed by his party's government. Haslam recently complained that state and local media favor reporting on the bad bills moving through the Tennessee General Assembly over the "good" legislation supported by his administration. I urge you to read the entire column, but I'll quote some of the best passages.

First of all, the legislature is objectively embarrassing. There is no positive way to spin hate. The party mantra of "job creation" not only rings hollow but plainly stinks when compared to the slate of social laws that are pitched every session. What sort of jobs are you people after? Inquisitors?

A man of your privilege should know that educated people who can be depended upon to solve critical problems in medical research, logistics, and higher management don't respond well to xenophobia and witch-hunt politics. If you want the media to stop reporting this tomfoolery, then stand up for educated, well-mannered people who live here and who are horrified and ashamed by the backward and hateful agenda that apparently equates to success in our General Assembly.

The list of legislation with a conservative social agenda in the 107th Tennessee General Assembly is a long one. TEP has actively opposed a number of these bills that directly affect the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in Tennessee: the "Special Access to Discriminate Act," the "Police the Potty" bill, the "License to Bully" bill, the Anti-GSA School Clubs bill, and the "Don't Say Gay" bill . . . . the list goes on.

Brown later illustrates in his column how anti-LGBT legislation will harm our state's employers:

Anyone who has worked in management in white-collar industry knows that women and gay people are indispensable. This was once made very real to me when I was starting a business here. The potential partner in the concern was an older man, Southern and brusque. He asked me one day in talks, "What do you think of the gays?" As an open-minded child of the New South, I stalled and stuttered wondering what on earth was coming next, when he added, "If I could hire only gays, that's what I would do. They are the best people I can find." He employed many Tennesseans.

Brown understands that businesses cannot afford for the State of Tennessee to create a hostile environment for women and LGBT people without losing valuable employees. The Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Haslam are providing no incentive for talented LGBT professionals or others who want to live in vibrant, diverse communities to remain in or move into the state. Shouldn't the goal of government be to make our state a more attractive place to live and work for all people?

Brown finally warns Governor Haslam of potential consequences if he fails to keep the legislature in check:

Until you stand up to it or openly acknowledge that your party's agenda has become that of seeking lobbying money and riling up hatred, I will fail to take you or your party seriously. I sure as hell won't become a Democrat, but I will hound superstition and political avarice at every turn, because educated people read this paper and others. Their voice deserves a place in our state. Tennessee is becoming a place where educated entrepreneurs and doctors of international renown would feel unwelcome.

The final outcome of the "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB229/SB049) in the House of Representative is still unknown at this writing. HB229 may represent the Governor's last chance during this legislative session to show some backbone as an executive prepared to lead his party and the State of Tennessee. I hope he is up to the task.

- Jonathan Cole

TN General Assembly offers good and bad legislation for LGBT people

Tennessee Equality Project is actively monitoring the following bills in the 107th General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. While not exhaustive, this list contains legislation in this session that may advance or threaten the equality of LGBT people and their families. Click the bill number links for the most current status of legislation and learn more about these bills and their potential impact on Advancing Equality Day on the Hill on March 1. - Jonathan Cole

CRIMINAL LAW

Sentence enhancements when gender identity motivates crime. (SB0314/ HB0188). Includes "gender identity or expression", rather than gender alone, on the list of motivations behind committing a crime that may be considered for sentence enhancement. (S: Marrero; H: Richardson).

EDUCATION

“Abstinence-Centered” Sex Education (SB 1305/ HB 1352). As introduced, implements an integrated sex education program in place of the family life curriculum and authorizes parents to maintain an action against an outside instructor or organization for teaching students about material prohibited by the curriculum guidelines. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 49 and Title 68. (S: Johnson J.; H: Dunn).

Teaching of sexuality in elementary and middle schools (SB0049/ HB0229). Prohibits a public elementary school or middle school from the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality. (S: Campfield; H: Dunn).

Student participation in extracurricular activities (SB0426/ HB0432). Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school by displaying such information in the student handbooks or policy guidebooks. Prohibits a school from allowing a student to become a member or participate in any activities of a club or organization if the parent or legal guardian of such student has tendered a written communication prohibiting such student from such membership or participation. (S: Campfield; H: Hill).

Schools must create policies to discourage cyber-bullying (SB0488/ HB0301). Defines cyber-bullying. Requires each school to implement policies against cyber-bullying and send a copy of the policy to the commissioner of education. Encourages school employees, students, and volunteers to report cyber-bullying, in addition to other forms of intimidation. (S: Ketron; H: Curtiss).

Policies regarding harassment, intimidation and bullying (SB0760/ HB1153). Clarifies terms and policies associated with harassment, intimidation and bullying. Adds that the policy prohibiting bullying shall not be interpreted to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of students and shall not prohibit their expression of religious, philosophical, or political views; as long as such expression does not include a threat of physical harm to a student or damage to a student's property. (S:Tracy; H: Dennis).

Policies on harassment and bullying (SB1923/ HB1105). As introduced, requires an LEA revising its policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying, which was filed with the commissioner of education, to transmit the revised policy to the commissioner. - Amends TCA Title 49. (S: Woodson; H: Montgomery).

VITAL RECORDS

Birth certificate changes upon sworn statement (SB0313/ HB0187). Allows a person's birth certificate to be changed to reflect a change of that person's gender upon a sworn statement by a certain medical or mental health professional. (S: Marrero; H: Richardson).

VOTING RIGHTS

Photo ID required to vote (SB 0016/ HB 0007). As introduced, requires a voter to present qualified photographic identification before voting; voters without proper identification shall be allowed to cast provisional ballots. (S: Ketron; H: Maggart).

Photo ID required to vote (SB 0375/ HB 0402). As introduced, requires a voter to present qualified photographic identification before voting; voters without proper identification shall be allowed to cast provisional ballots. (S: Bell; H: Watson).

HEALTH CARE

Board of medical examiners to regulate genetic counselors (SB 0791/ HB0344). Recognizes that the board of medical examiners has the power to promulgate rules and regulations to administer the Genetic Counselors Licensing Act. (S: Overbey; H: Ramsey B.)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

“Equal Access” to Intrastate Commerce Act (SB 0630/HB0598). Enacts the "Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act." Prohibits a local government from imposing an anti-discrimination standard that deviates or supplements the definition of "discriminatory practices" already existing in Tennessee Code Annotated. Prohibits any local government from imposing on any person health insurance benefits, minimum wage, or family leave requirements that deviates from state or federal statutorily recognized requirements. (S: Ketron; H: Casada)

"Equal Access" to Intrastate Commerce Act (SB0631/ HB0601). Enacts the "Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act." Prohibits a local government from imposing an anti-discrimination standard that deviates or supplements the definition of "discriminatory practices" already existing in Tennessee Code Annotated. Establishes that the only anti-discrimination employment practices or standards that may be legally enacted by a local government with respect to any person must be limited to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin. Prohibits any local government from imposing on any person health insurance benefits, minimum wage, or family leave requirements that deviates from state or federal statutorily recognized requirements. (S:Ketron; H: Casada)

“Equal Access” to Intrastate Commerce Act (SB0632/ HB0600). Enacts the "Equal Access to Intrastate Commerce Act." Prohibits a local government from imposing an anti-discrimination standard that deviates or supplements the definition of "discriminatory practices" already existing in Tennessee Code Annotated. (S:Ketron; H: Casada).

HUMAN RIGHTS

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation (SB 1132/ HB 1317). As introduced, adds sexual orientation to the list of characteristics on which discrimination is prohibited in employment, public accommodations, and housing and financing. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 21; Title 8 and Title 50. (S: Marrero; H: Jones S.)

Senator Campfield targets LGBT youth with potentially anti-GSA bill

Sen. Stacey Campfield of Knoxville appears obsessed with LGBT people in Tennessee. Early in the session, he filed the "Don't Say Gay in School" bill that would prohibit discussion or instruction in grades K-8 about homosexuality in the classroom. Now, the Senator and Rep. Matthew Hill of Jonesborough have introduced a bill that may discourage student participation in Gay Straight Alliances in Tennessee schools. The bill specifies that:

Each school shall notify the parents or legal guardians of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school by prominently displaying the information in the school's student handbook, or other standard or policy guidebook that contains the policies and procedures of the school and is distributed annually.

Without directly saying so, this bill potentially targets lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students looking for support, information and resources. The bill goes on to require that:

No school shall permit a student to become a member or participate in any activities of a club or organization if the parent or legal guardian of such student has tendered a written communication prohibiting such student from such membership or participation. In order to be valid, the written communication shall be signed and dated by the parent or legal guardian.

What does this mean? If a parent reviews published information about clubs and organizations from their child's school , it's up to the parent to express to the school in writing that they don't want their child to participate in certain clubs and organizations. The legislation does not require students to obtain a permission slip signed by the parent in order to participate in school clubs and organizations.

However, there is a risk that school administrators could interpret this law to mean that permission slips are a preferred avenue to adhere to this proposed law.

Imagine, if you will, a young gay student whose parents have expressed hostility toward LGBT people going to those same parents to ask them to sign a permission slip to join his school's Gay Straight Alliance. A permission slip system for school clubs could increase the isolation that many LGBT students experience.

Students who are LGBT or questioning may need a safe space in a school-sponsored Gay Straight Alliance to ask questions about human sexuality. It would be wrong to create unnecessary road blocks for students seeking information and resources. The proposed legislation could be strengthened with language explicitly stating that students are not required to obtain prior parental permission to participate in student clubs and organizations.
A permission slip system for school clubs and organizations could create an atmosphere of hostility in schools and in our community. With all the completed suicides among LGBT youth we heard about in 2010, we don't want this legislation to become life-threatening to the young people of Tennessee.

It's vital that each of us make a commitment to encourage our legislators to make schools safer for all students on March 1 during Advancing Equality Day on the Hill. Follow these easy steps to participate:

1. Call your legislators' offices to schedule your appointment (Find contact information here). Your legislator may not know his or her schedule when you call, so keep calling for an appointment up until the week before March 1.
2. When your appointment is made, enter your appointment details at Tennessee Equality Project's Legislator Appointment Tracker. Contact Michelle Bliss at Michelle@tnequalityproject.com with questions.

- Jonathan Cole

This post was edited after its original posting.

Photo of the Day: Outing Equipment at Sewanee

I went to Sewanee for a conference on GLBT equality today. Before the session I was leading began, I passed by this door and laughed. Who knew there was special equipment for outing and that you can keep it in a closet? I just thought you needed a loud mouth and indiscretion.

It was a good session. I was particularly glad to learn that Maryville College has a Gay-Straight Alliance that was granted formal status last year. Thanks to the Sewanee Gay-Straight Alliance for inviting me.