A federal judge in Louisiana has temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s new Title IX rule expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students in four states, citing an “abuse of power” and a threat to democracy. U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty’s injunction prevents the rule from being enforced in Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho. The rule was set to take effect in August and aimed to expand civil rights protections under Title IX, redefine sexual harassment, and add safeguards for victims.
Judge Doughty, appointed by former President Donald Trump, argued that the Education Department overstepped its authority in implementing the rule. The ruling is a significant setback for the administration’s efforts to protect LGBTQ+ students and has sparked a legal battle with more than 20 Republican-led states. The ruling specifically clashes with laws in Louisiana that restrict transgender students from using facilities that align with their gender identity.
Despite the setback, the Education Department has stood by the new rule and is reviewing the judge’s order. The ruling questions whether the Biden administration has the legal authority to expand Title IX to LGBTQ+ students and warns of potential implications for transgender athletes. The decision has been met with approval from right-leaning organizations, while former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos criticized the rule as “anti-woman radical rewrite of Title IX.” The case highlights the ongoing legal and political battles surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and education policy.
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