NASHVILLE, TN (May 2025) — A new policy brief from the Tennessee Equality Project warns that Tennessee’s sweeping pronoun laws are fostering a hostile environment for transgender and gender-nonconforming students and educators, with troubling implications for mental health, civil rights, and federal compliance.
Tennessee is one of several states that have enacted laws allowing students, teachers, and school employees to misgender and deadname others under the banner of free speech and religious freedom. In 2025, the state amended its existing anti-pronoun law (TCA § 49-6-5102) to permit students to misgender and deadname their teachers and faculty members as well, without fear of disciplinary action.
As we know, these laws enable systemic bullying and discrimination while undermining federal protections under Title IX and Title VII. The brief highlights how federal court decisions, such as Bostock v. Clayton County, affirm that discrimination based on gender identity constitutes sex-based discrimination, which is prohibited under civil rights law.
While supporters of Tennessee’s pronoun laws cite First Amendment rights, legal and mental health experts say misgendering and deadnaming often rise to the level of harassment. Studies referenced in the report show that affirming names and pronouns significantly reduce depression, anxiety, and suicide risk among transgender youth.
“Federal law still protects students and employees from harassment,” the report asserts. “Schools and workplaces that fail to act could face legal consequences.”
Privacy violations are also a concern. The brief notes that enforcement of these laws could lead to non-consensual disclosures of sensitive student records, including birth certificates and medical histories, potentially violating FERPA and other federal privacy laws.
In a political climate increasingly hostile to LGBTQ+ rights, advocates say federal protections are more critical than ever. The Tennessee Equality Project urges educators, parents, and students to report violations to the U.S. Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
You can find the full brief at tnep.org/tep_special_reports
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