Advocates for Transgender Equality (A4TE) Denounces House Vote to Block Title IX Regulations

Washington, DC Today the House of Representatives voted to overturn key protections for students against harassment, discrimination, and sexual assault advanced by the Biden Administration. This resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act, which grants Congress 60 legislative days to overturn a federal rule and bar any future attempts by federal agencies to reinstate a similar rule. The landmark statute, passed as part of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, has driven the significant advancement of women and girls in education and athletics and served as a critical protection for vulnerable communities, including LGBTQI+ students. 
 
"A4TE is dismayed that House members voted to undo the key student protections reinforced and formalized by the Biden Administration. The Biden administration’s updates to Title IX regulations safeguard all students and all women and girls, including protections for student survivors of sexual harassment, pregnant and parenting students, and LGBTQI+ students — especially transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students — against discrimination in school," said Caius Willingham, Senior Policy Advocate for A4TE. 

The Biden administration’s updates reversed the 2020 Title IX rule implemented by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos under the Trump Administration, which weakened protections for survivors of sexual assault, compromising the safety of all students. The latest updates also explicitly clarify that LGBTQI+ students are protected from discrimination based on their gender identity and sexual orientation and guarantees accommodations for pregnant and parenting students. 

Willingham went on to say, “House members who voted to block the updated Title IX rule sacrificed the safety of all students to target vulnerable transgender youth. LGBTQI+ students deserve safe, inclusive learning environments where they can learn and thrive.” 
 
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Contact: 
Ash Orr (he/they) [email protected]