April 27, 2021
A RESOLUTION, REGARDING PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR ALL METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, STAFF, PARENTS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS REGARDLESS OF GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION
WHEREAS, it is the right of every child, regardless of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, to access a free public K-12 education, and the District welcomes and supports all students; and
WHEREAS, the District has a responsibility to ensure that all students who reside within its boundaries, regardless of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, can safely access a free public K-12 education; and
WHEREAS, the District recognizes that there are employees and educators who are gay, lesbian, and transgender, and that all employees are valued members of the school community, regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, the District recognizes that there are families in our community of diverse background, and the District values all our families, regardless of the family members’ gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Title VI prohibits discrimination, including discrimination based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Department of Education has upheld the interpretation of Title IX to protect students from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity; and
WHEREAS, on June 15, 2020 the United States Supreme Court ruled, in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is necessarily also discrimination "because of sex" as prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and
WHEREAS, we recognize creating LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in Metro Nashville Public Schools is not about any single action, and it will not happen with just the passage of a resolution or the change of a policy, but it is about effectuating a paradigm shift through facilitating deeper understanding of sexual and gender diversity, and this requires appropriate communication, professional development, and a commitment from the Board, the District, and all schools - of all grade levels - to support this shift and commit to moving forward with the resolve to learn and further best practices into the future; and
WHEREAS, systemic transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia push LGBTQIA+ youth out of school and those same systems of oppression may cause long-lasting negative mental health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (“LGBTQ”) students experience high rates of bullying, victimization, and harassment at school on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, this bullying, victimization, and harassment has led to negative educational
outcomes for LGBTQ students, including higher rates of dropping out, higher absence rates, and lower postsecondary school aspirations; and
WHEREAS, affirming gender identity and gender expression for youth of all ages is proven to be one of the most effective mental health interventions for supporting transgender youth, gender-expansive youth, and gender-nonconforming youth; and
WHEREAS, MNPS Board policy 5.500 prohibits employee harassment based upon sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or appearance, or sex, including sexual harassment; and
WHEREAS, MNPS Board Policy 6.304 qualifies sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression among protected classes in the prohibition of bullying, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and victimization of students.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE BOARD OF EDUCATION resolves to provide access to resources that are specifically responsive to gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
FURTHERMORE, the District shall allow students and staff to use requested names and pronouns without requiring a legal name change or medical diagnosis.
FURTHERMORE, the District shall provide equal access to all resources and programs and advocate for access to District facilities that align with the students’ and staff members’ gender expression.
FURTHERMORE, the District shall ensure that all administrators – at all grade levels – are aware of and capable of implementing all existing policies and tools, such as the MNPS Gender Support Plan process, in support of staff and students.
FURTHERMORE, the District shall continue to advocate for LGBTQ people and issues in school curricula and instructional materials, including in health and sex education, inclusive of materials that portray LGBTQ figures in a positive light; the District shall ensure that the curricula include diverse perspectives, especially LGBTQ people of color and issues specific to communities of color.
FURTHERMORE, the District shall distribute this Resolution to District staff, students, and parents using usual means of communication, and the Resolution will be translated into multiple languages spoken by students at home.
FURTHERMORE, District-affiliated contractors having contact with MNPS students shall be notified of this Resolution.
