A lot of American families have strong feelings about this.
The Biden administration has introduced a series of fresh regulations with the aim of fortifying protections for LGBTQ+ students and reshaping the protocols for handling allegations of sexual harassment and assault on college campuses.
These updated provisions, forming part of a revamped Title IX regulation issued by the Education Department, honor a campaign promise made by President Biden to overhaul the guidelines set during the Trump administration.
A notable omission from the new rule is a directive banning schools from imposing outright prohibitions on transgender athletes competing against cisgender females. Despite widespread anticipation for such a policy, the administration has chosen to postpone its inclusion, a move widely perceived as a strategic maneuver amid the current political climate, particularly during an election year marked by Republican support for such bans.
The revised regulations expand the definition of sex discrimination to encompass gender identity and sexual orientation. Schools are now mandated not to segregate or treat individuals differently based on sex, with limited exceptions. Critics argue that this change could potentially lead to facilities like locker rooms and bathrooms being determined by gender identity.
Under Title IX, LGBTQ+ students who experience discrimination are entitled to recourse from their educational institution, and those dissatisfied with their school’s response can seek assistance from the federal government.
Additionally, President Biden is formally rescinding the due process rules regarding sexual assault implemented by his predecessor, Donald Trump, particularly in light of the upcoming election. Among the changes, colleges will no longer be compelled to conduct live hearings allowing students to cross-examine each other. Instead, college officials will conduct separate interviews, enabling students to propose questions and obtain recordings of responses.
The final policy has garnered praise from advocates for victims, while Republicans argue that it undermines the rights of accused students.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona lauded the new regulations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that educational environments are safe, inclusive, and respectful of everyone’s rights.
However, not everyone is supportive of these changes. Riley Gaines, host of the “Gaines for Girls” podcast on outkick.com, criticized the Biden administration’s rewrite of Title IX, asserting that it undermines decades of progress in ensuring equal opportunities for women in education and athletics.
In response to these revisions, organizations like the Independent Women’s Law Center (IWLC) are preparing to challenge the Biden administration in court, contending that the changes deviate from the original intent and language of Title IX, thereby infringing upon women’s rights and opportunities in academic settings.
In summary, while the Biden administration’s revisions to Title IX aim to provide greater protection and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ students, they have sparked debate and legal challenges concerning their implications for women’s rights and the interpretation of sex discrimination in education.