John –

In recent years Tennessee has been one of the most notorious states when it comes to passing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation – and this year extreme forces are already zeroing in on the Volunteer State to push a wave of discriminatory proposals. 

Whether this legislation becomes law or not, we know that the public debate over the lives and humanity of LGBTQ+ people can be damaging, especially for young people. Now, with the release of a new report today from the Southern Equality Research & Policy Institute, we can take a specific look at the feelings and experiences of LGBTQ+ people in Tennessee, including the specific and alarming impacts of legislative attacks. 

We’re honored to release LGBTQ+ Tennesseans, a new 37-page breakout report of the Coming of Age as an LGBTQ+ Southerner research project. Please click here to read this new report.

The Tennessee breakout covers the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ political climate, respondents’ history with gender-affirming health care, their mental health status, memories of coming out and education, and their experiences of feeling forced to change their LGBTQ+ identity. 

My co-author Emma Chinn, a Master of Public Policy Candidate at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, is a Tennessean herself. She said today, “As a proud Tennessean, LGBTQ community member, and student of public policy, I understand that my life experiences – from what I didn’t learn about LGBTQ identity at my public high school, to the anxiety I feel when thinking about starting a family in Tennessee with my genderqueer partner – are deeply tied to the decisions of our elected officials. However, for a long time, there has been limited research connecting LGBTQ Tennesseans' experiences with state policy. This report takes a first step toward changing that.”

This report should be a wake-up call to Tennessee lawmakers to stop attacking LGBTQ residents and start working to address the disparities they face each day. Please take a look at the report by clicking here – then learn how you can get involved with our partners at the Tennessee Equality Project and other organizations. 

Thank you,
Austin Johnson
He/Him
Director, Southern Equality Research & Policy Institute
Campaign for Southern Equality

P.S. You can view the PDF of the report directly here.