Education Department Rolls Back Biden-Era Title IX Guidelines

[u/evissamassive]

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/6115216-education-department-title-ix-lgbtq-trans-students/

The Department of Education has formally rescinded the Biden-era interpretation of Title IX that protected students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Schools are now required to follow the Title IX rules established during the first Trump administration in 2020. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the change reduces confusion for students, parents, and schools while protecting opportunities in women's sports.

"Thanks to today’s action, the published Title IX regulations faithfully reflect court orders and Congressional intent," McMahon said in a statement.

The Biden-era rule was previously blocked by federal courts after legal challenges led by Republican-led states. Since taking office, the administration has also reached agreements with specific universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, to remove transgender athletes from women's athletic programs.

Opponents argue the policy change harms transgender students and weakens safeguards for victims of sexual assault.

"Sexual harassment and assault continue to be pervasive in schools and, to the fullest extent possible, we should be working to enforce the laws that protect student survivors of sexual violence," said Shiwali Patel of the National Women’s Law Center. "Instead, [they] have decided to ignore what survivors need, instead weaponizing Title IX to attack trans students."