Biden’s Title IX Rule Blocked in Oklahoma

The Biden administration’s attempt to rewrite Title IX has hit a roadblock bigger than a freight train carrying common sense. In a move that’s got conservatives cheering and progressives fuming, federal judges across the nation have put the brakes on this controversial rule change. Let’s dive into why this matters, what it means for our schools, and why you should keep reading even if the phrase “Title IX” usually makes your eyes glaze over faster than a doughnut at a police convention.

The Biden Administration’s Title IX Overhaul

The Biden administration’s new Title IX rule aimed to extend protections to LGBTQI+ students, prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This move would have effectively categorized biological males identifying as female, and vice versa, as protected classes. However, this ambitious attempt to reshape educational policy has been met with significant legal resistance.

Federal judges in multiple states have blocked the implementation of the new Title IX rule, citing concerns over the Department of Education’s authority to make such sweeping changes. The Department faced a barrage of lawsuits following the release of the final rule, with states and educational institutions pushing back against what they saw as federal overreach.

Biden administration loses 22 of 26 as federal judge blocks Title IX redo in Oklahomahttps://t.co/GRWWVN3bPT pic.twitter.com/0GRfGphVMY

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) August 1, 2024

State-Level Pushback and Legal Challenges

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has been a vocal supporter of the decision to block the rule, emphasizing the need to protect students’ privacy and safety. His stance reflects a broader trend of state-level resistance to federal directives on this issue.

“This well-reasoned ruling helps to protect both female and male students from invasions of privacy and unnecessary harm” – Gentner Drummond

Several states have laws requiring separate bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports based on sex assigned at birth, setting up a direct conflict with the proposed federal regulations. This clash between state and federal policies has become a focal point in the ongoing legal battles.

The Bostock Decision and Its Implications

The new Title IX regulations were inspired by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which extended workplace protections to LGBTQ+ individuals. However, some states have challenged the application of the Bostock decision to Title IX in education, arguing that the contexts are fundamentally different.

Judge Jodi Dishman, in her ruling blocking the rule in Oklahoma, stated, “Such a contradiction of Title IX’s text and an erosion of its purpose cannot be permitted absent congressional action.”

This sentiment echoes the concerns of many conservative legislators and educators who argue that the Biden administration’s interpretation of Title IX goes beyond the original intent of the law.