Republican state attorneys general sue Biden administration to stop transgender policies they believe are harmful to women and girls.
More than 20 red states are taking legal action against the Biden administration’s recent changes to Title IX, which redefine sex and broaden sex discrimination to include gender identity.
The leader of the coalition of states opposing these changes, Bailey, stated that he views the law “personally” as the father of a young daughter and is proud to fight against what he deems as an “unconstitutional rewrite of Title IX.”
Joining Bailey in the lawsuit are states such as Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Louisiana, Indiana, South Carolina, and Idaho.
In the past week, additional states including Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma have joined the legal battle by filing two more lawsuits.
Prior to Biden’s revision, the 1972 law aimed to promote gender equality and allowed for sex-segregated spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms.
“The interpretation of the Biden administration is completely inconsistent with the statute and the way it’s been interpreted for decades,” remarked Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin during a news conference announcing the lawsuit alongside Bailey.
Expressing concern over the revised rules, Griffin added that it poses a threat to the First Amendment by compelling speech and risking harassment charges.
Opposition to Biden’s overhaul of Title IX is not limited to legal action, as states like Florida and Texas have announced their refusal to comply with the new regulations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vowed to fight against the changes, stating, “We will not comply, and we will fight back.”
Similarly, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made it clear in a letter to the White House that his state will not implement the revised regulations.
Conservatives argue that Title IX was originally intended to support the academic and athletic advancement of women, with the law based on the premise of only two sexes – male and female.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti criticized fellow Republican officials for not adhering to the Biden administration’s changes, stating that it undermines the rule of law and urging conservative states to challenge the revisions in court.
The new regulations impact how sexual harassment and assault claims are handled on campuses, with sex discrimination now encompassing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Under the revised rules, schools are prohibited from segregating individuals based on biological sex, except in certain circumstances. Critics fear that this change may permit transgender individuals to use facilities that contradict the sex listed on their birth certificate.
Students who face discrimination under the new standards will be entitled to a response from their school under Title IX, and those who feel failed by their institutions can seek assistance from the federal government.
However, the new rule does not include a policy prohibiting schools from imposing bans on transgender athletes competing against biological females.
