The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky struck down the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX rules that expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students.
Although the rules had already been halted in 26 states after several legal challenges, the new opinion from U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves scraps the protections nationwide.
Under the 2024 Title IX rules, the definition of “sex discrimination” was expanded to expressly include discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy or related conditions.
Related Article: CDC: Over 40% of LGBTQ+ Teens Considered Suicide in Past Year
However, Reeves ruled that it was “fatally” tainted by legal shortcomings, reports the Associated Press.
It’s doubtful that the Biden administration will appeal the ruling due to president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration taking place on January 20. During his campaign, Trump targeted transgender issues and promised to end the rules “on day one.”
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti called Biden’s Title IX rules a “relentless push to impose a radical gender ideology.”
Policies that Ban Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Students Prevent Suicides
However, studies — including a recent study from researchers at New York University — have found that policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual and gender identity are an effective way to prevent suicide deaths in the U.S. Other studies have found that anti-LGBTQ+ school policies are associated with high rates of LGBTQ+ student depression and suicide attempts. Additionally, LGBTQ+ students attending schools with at least one anti-LGBTQ+ policy are 24% more likely to be physically attacked due to their LGBTQ+ identity than those attending schools with no anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Related Article: 5 Policies Proven to Reduce LGBTQ+ Student Suicide Risk and How Many Schools Actually Have Them
In addition to the Title IX rules reversal endangering the lives of LGBTQ+ students, there is confusion among schools and universities as to how to move forward with their Title IX compliance efforts. It’s unclear if the U.S. Department of Education will require schools to unwind their compliance with the 2024 Title IX rules or if the Department’s Office for Civil Rights will enforce the 2024 rules where they were implemented.
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