The Williams Institute released analysis and data that provide background and context for the ongoing debate on Tennessee House Bill 229/Senate Bill 49the so-called "Don't Say Gay" billand its potential impact on at-risk youth throughout Tennessee.
As originally drafted, the "Don't Say Gay" bill would have prohibited Tennessee public school teachers, counselors and officials from discussing or providing information about homosexuality, including in response to student questions in one-on-one counseling.
Amendments have been proposed to restrict information instead to biological reproduction, and to allow information about sexual orientation only in specified circumstances.
Among the information the institute has released:
Hostile environments created by bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender nonconformity lead to adverse health effects for LGBT youth; and
Anti-gay stigma has been shown to be related to increases in violence against LGBT youth and adults, as well as to lower levels of health.
Regarding passage of the bill itself, the House sponsor delayed the measure March 13 to let legislators consider a more comprehensive bill, according to Memphis' Commercial Appeal.
State Rep. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, said there are problems with the measure, once again delaying it so lawmakers can review another proposal that would restrict "family life education" subjects taught in schools.