In April of 2024, the Biden Administration finalized new Title IX regulations that expanded protections against sex-based discrimination to include LGBTQ+ students and provided safeguards for pregnant and parenting individuals. These rules also required educational institutions to address incidents of sexual harassment and assault, even if they occurred off-campus.
However, recently, A federal judge in Kentucky overturned this, ruling that the regulations exceeded the Department of Education’s authority and violated the Constitution. Additionally, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, alongside five other attorneys general, had sued to block the changes, claiming they undermined traditional distinctions in educational settings. Miyares celebrated the court’s decision as a victory for women’s protections under Title IX.
Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, including Fatima Goss Graves of the National Women’s Law Center, criticized the ruling, arguing it disregards the rights of vulnerable students and undermines efforts to create safe, inclusive educational environments. They emphasized the importance of continuing the fight for protections against discrimination. Opponents, like Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, praised the decision as a defense of traditional educational norms and women’s rights under Title IX, contending that the Biden administration’s rules imposed radical changes beyond the Department of Education’s authority.
Regardless of your ideology, it is important to consider the implications. The court’s decision to overturn Biden’s expanded Title IX protections weakens safeguards for LGBTQ+ students, potentially exposing them to discrimination without federal recourse. It signals a broader legal and cultural challenge to inclusive education policies, exacerbating social inequality. By removing protections for pregnant and parenting students, it also disproportionately affects marginalized groups, deepening educational disparities. This ruling highlights ongoing tensions between efforts to advance social justice and conservative legal pushes to maintain traditional frameworks.
In response, many different public policies could be taken into account. Lawmakers could propose policies to clarify the scope of Title IX protections and establish consistent guidelines for addressing harassment, both on and off campus. Additionally, education policies could focus on ensuring equitable treatment for all students, including those facing unique circumstances such as pregnancy or parenting.
Ayan Kumar's Blog 