Transgender students are more likely than their peers to be harassed or assaulted at school and to say they feel unsafe. Transgender girls or women are particularly likely to say they avoid locker rooms because they feel unsafe there. In addition, GLSEN’s research shows that more than half of transgender students nationwide had been required to use the bathroom or locker room of their sex rather than their gender identity. Large percentages had also been prevented from wearing clothing and using names and pronouns that aligned with their gender.  

In Kentucky, according to GLSEN’s State Snapshot from the 2013 National School Climate Survey, 85% of LGBT students reported hearing negative remarks about gender expression, and 66% regularly heard negative remarks about transgender people. Furthermore, 33% reported regularly hearing school staff make negative remarks about someone’s gender expression. In order to help LGBT students in Kentucky, the Snapshot recommends implementing comprehensive school anti-bullying/harassment policies, which specifically protect students’ sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, in contrast to SB76.

Everything You Need To Know About the Bill Threatening Trans Students’ Rights In Kentucky | GLSEN Intern Hallie Marks