Staff Reports
In recent news, a federal judge from Texas stopped the Biden administration’s plan to expand Title IX protections to cover “gender identity.” This judge, appointed by President George W. Bush, said that the Department of Education’s updated guidance goes against the original purpose of Title IX and oversteps its boundaries. The new rule would have banned schools receiving federal funds from discriminating based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
Some people, like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, thought this new rule was illegal because it would force schools to accept transgender ideas or risk losing federal money. Paxton believed that allowing biological males into women’s facilities or teams would put women in danger. He was pleased with the judge’s ruling, calling Biden’s actions “unlawful” and a danger to the whole country.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Secures Major Win Blocking Biden Administration's Attempt to Force "Transgender" Policies Into Schools, Securing Nationwide Relief Against Unlawful Agency Actions: https://t.co/ZVaGeEUOtT
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) June 11, 2024
House Republicans, led by Rep. Mary Miller from Illinois, are also working to get rid of this new rule. They see it as a threat to the progress women have made in securing their rights under Title IX. Miller stated that Biden’s administration is jeopardizing the safety of girls by letting men enter women’s private spaces.
The Biden administration had first proposed these changes in June 2021, including sexual orientation and gender identity in Title IX protections. However, former President Donald Trump has promised to reverse these changes if re-elected in 2024. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds in the future.
In conclusion, it is crucial to ensure that the original intent of laws like Title IX is upheld and not twisted to fit a particular political agenda. The safety and rights of all individuals, especially women and girls, should be the top priority in these discussions.
