Judge Scraps Biden’s LGBTQ+ Student Protections

A federal judge in Kentucky has struck down nationwide rules put forward by President Biden’s administration that aimed to protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in education. The 1, 500-page regulation, which extended Title IX’s scope to cover gender identity and sexual orientation, was found to have legal flaws and exceeded the president’s authority. This move was sparked by a lawsuit from several Republican-led states, who saw the rule as an overreach. The judge’s decision essentially returns Title IX to its pre-2022 status, halting any new protections for LGBTQ+ students. While civil rights advocates lauded the rule for offering new recourse against discrimination, conservatives saw it as a potential threat to girls’ sports due to the inclusion of transgender athletes. Notably, the rule didn’t explicitly address athletics but detailed how schools should handle cases of discrimination and sexual assault. The Education Department has yet to comment on the ruling. However, supporters of the rule argue it provided necessary safeguards for vulnerable students, while critics believe it infringed upon free speech rights and bypassed the legislative process. This judgment raises questions about the balance between protecting students and respecting broader civic principles.