Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. According to the FBI data above, since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, in all states how much have average yearly anti-LGBTQ hate crimes increased on K-12 campuses?

2. According to the FBI data above, since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, in states with restrictive sports, facilities, and laws how much have average yearly anti-LGBTQ hate crimes increased on K-12 campuses?

3. FBI data indicate the most common crimes associated with reported hate crimes at schools include simple assault, intimidation and vandalism. What is the big story the data tells about the impact of restrictive sports, facilities, and laws on anti-LGBTQ hate crimes?

4. It is possible that states that created restrictive sports, facilities, and laws did not know that anti-LGBTQ hate crimes would quadruple. It’s also possible that these states do know that anti-LGBTQ hate crimes have quadruple and don’t plan to do anything about it. It’s also possible that once states realize that their restrictive sports, facilities, and laws lead to an increase of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes, they will change their programs to make them less restrictive. Explain which of the above scenarios is more likely?

5. Based on the visuals below* what has happened in your state regarding restrictions on LGBTQ education, and trans-students’ access to school sports, and facilities.

6. How does the data above reflect the experience in your school, district and state?

7. The Associated Press reports that students and teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms, provided it’s not part of instruction, under a settlement reached Monday between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys who had challenged a state law which critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.” Do you think this will cause more states to be wary of passing anti-LGBTQ laws?

8. How does the data above illustrate the concept of federalism?

9. “Policy sets the tone for real-world experiences [and] discriminatory policy just creates a hostile environment,” said Amy McGehee, a doctoral student at Oklahoma State University who researches LGBTQ health and well-being. Do you think that in laws and policies can change attitudes and opinions with real-life consequences?

10. Explain the connection between anti-LGBTQ laws and one of the two following amendments:

    1st Amendment - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

    14th Amendment (part of section 1) - No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Your state governor probably has a lot of power regarding the laws enacted in your state. Contact your governor and let them know what you think about the laws in your state.

Get Creative

Create the rules that you would like to see exist in your school or district regarding restrictive sports, facilities, and law

Learning Extension