Dear [Your Elected Official],

<p>Please, vote NO on SB2766 on the Senate floor on March 25. This bill makes LGBTQ students more vulnerable to bullying and discrimination by removing clear non-discrimination protections. Tennessee has a responsibility to make sure our schools are providing a safe learning environment.</p> <p>On March 12, The Washington Post published an important story on these issues. They noted, "School hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people have sharply risen in recent years, climbing fastest in states that have passed laws restricting LGBTQ student rights and education, a Washington Post analysis of FBI data finds.</p> <p>In states with restrictive laws, the number of hate crimes on K-12 campuses has more than quadrupled since the onset of a divisive culture war that has often centered on the rights of LGBTQ+ youth.</p> <p>At the same time, calls to LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotlines have exploded, with some advocates drawing a connection between the spike in bullying and hate crimes, and the political climate."</p> <p>Whatever your political views, we should all agree that every child at every school deserves to be safe and protected. Policy sets the tone for a safe or unsafe climate. This bill goes in the wrong direction and does NOT improve the educational outcomes for students, make for more consistent policy, or solve any problem.</p> <p>Thank you for considering my views.</p>