(BrightPress.org) – A federal judge in Kentucky has put the brakes on a Biden administration rule that sought to extend federal protections to stop “discrimination” against LGBTQ students.
U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, appointed by former President George W. Bush, granted a temporary block on changes to Title IX, which bars sex discrimination in federally funded schools and education programs. The new rule, set to take effect soon, was challenged by six GOP-led states, Christian educators, and a 15-year-old girl who argued it could cause immediate and lasting harm.
Judge Reeves wrote in his decision that the Biden administration’s redefinition of “sex” to include gender identity contradicts the plain language of Title IX and infringes on the First Amendment rights of government employees. This ruling follows a similar injunction in other states where the Biden administration faced legal challenges over the same issue.
Title IX, a law from 1972, has been pivotal in ensuring gender equality in education, but its enforcement has varied with different administrations. The Biden administration’s attempt to broaden its scope has sparked significant legal pushback, with critics arguing it could allow transgender students to compete in sports teams aligned with their gender identity, contrary to state laws in GOP-controlled states.
Kentucky’s Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman praised the court’s decision, characterizing it as part of a broader effort to protect traditional gender norms and prevent potential harm to women and girls. The Education Department under President Biden has defended its updates to Title IX, which also include new definitions of sexual harassment and expanded protections for victims, arguing they are necessary to ensure inclusive and equitable educational environments.
The legal battle over these changes is ongoing, with multiple states challenging the Biden administration’s authority to redefine sex under Title IX. The administration has until the enforcement date of August 1 to navigate these legal hurdles, with Republican lawmakers pursuing resolutions to block the new rules before they can take effect nationwide.
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