A federal judge has recently made a decision to block President Biden’s expansion of Title IX in four states, citing the mandatory gender identity protections as an “abuse of power.” U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday, expressing concerns about the Biden administration’s unilateral changes to Title IX, referring to them as a threat to democracy.
Judge Doughty emphasized that the changes were not permissible because the term “gender discrimination” within the framework of Title IX originally only encompassed discrimination against biological males and females at the time of its enactment. The ruling prevents the implementation of these changes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho.
Title IX is a well-established civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funding. The recent updates issued in April aimed to broaden the definition of discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation. This move has been met with criticism from those who believe it could compromise existing protections for women and girls.
Under the new rules, sex discrimination would encompass discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, with schools being required to provide a response to LGBTQ+ students facing discrimination under Title IX. Those who feel their schools have not adequately addressed their concerns can seek recourse from the federal government.
While advocates view these changes as vital for protecting transgender students, opponents argue that it could lead to issues such as allowing locker rooms and bathrooms to be determined by gender identity. The rule is scheduled to go into effect on August 1, but lawsuits challenging these modifications are already underway in various states.
In conclusion, the recent ruling by Judge Doughty highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the expansion of Title IX and the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation within its protections. The decision to block these changes in four states underscores the legal and ethical considerations at play when altering long-standing laws that impact education and civil rights. As the issue continues to unfold, it remains a topic of significant interest and contention among lawmakers, advocates, and community members alike.
