A federal judge in Kentucky has struck down the Biden administration’s controversial Title IX rules, dealing a significant blow to efforts to expand so-called “protections” for LGBTQ+ students.
At a Glance
- Federal judge nullifies Biden’s 1,500-page Title IX regulation nationwide
- Rules aimed to include gender identity and sexual orientation protections
- Decision reverts Title IX to its previous interpretation of over 50 years
- Lawsuit filed by six states: Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia
- Critics argue rules undermined original intent of Title IX and fairness for women and girls
Judge Overturns Biden Administration’s Title IX Revision
U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves has struck down the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine “sex” in Title IX to include “gender identity.” The decision, made in the case of Cardona v. Tennessee, effectively nullifies the 1,500-page regulation nationwide, which had already been halted in 26 states due to legal challenges from Republican-led states.
The lawsuit, filed by Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, argued that the Biden administration’s approach represented a “radical gender ideology.” The judge’s ruling emphasized that sex discrimination under Title IX refers to biological sex, not gender identity.
Implications of the Court’s Decision
The court’s decision reverts Title IX to its previous interpretation, maintaining the status quo that existed for over 50 years. This ruling provides relief for students who have faced harassment and calls for further protection by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“The First Amendment does not permit the government to chill speech or compel affirmance of a belief with which the speaker disagrees in this manner,” U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves said.
Civil rights advocates who supported the rules for providing new “protections” for LGBTQ+ students now face a setback. Conservatives, who opposed the rules, particularly concerning transgender athletes (boys) in girls’ sports, are celebrating the decision as a victory for maintaining sex-based rights.
.@AGTennessee Jonathan Skrmetti Releases Statement as Federal Judge Blocks Biden Administration’s Attempt to Replace Title IX Language with Social Change Agenda:
➡️https://t.co/hxdxGm4LIu pic.twitter.com/fqKJxtUKhb
— TN Attorney General (@AGTennessee) June 18, 2024
Reactions to the Ruling
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti hailed the decision as a victory for girls’ privacy and free speech. Senator Bill Cassidy criticized the Biden administration for what he saw as betraying Title IX’s original intent and praised the court’s decision.
Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos also weighed in on the ruling, expressing her approval of the court’s decision to strike down what she referred to as the “radical, unfair, illegal, and absurd Biden Title IX re-write.”
Alliance Defending Freedom’s Kristen Waggoner called the ruling a significant win for women and girls, highlighting issues of fairness, safety, and privacy. The decision underscores the ongoing debate over how federal civil rights laws should adapt to include evolving understandings of gender identity while preserving sex-based rights.
