Nashville, TN: A lot of Republican states, including Tennessee, have sued the federal government over changes to Title IX that protect LGBTQ+ children. West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana’s attorneys general also filed one.
There is wording in the new rules that says discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal. It also gets rid of sexual assault rules made by the government of former President Donald Trump. Liberals who support victims liked the end policy, but Republicans all over the U.S. said it might make it harder for students accused of sexual assault to get their rights back.
Students who are LGBTQ+ and face discrimination will get an answer from their school and can also go to the federal government for help, according to the new language.
The lawsuit says that Title IX never meant to provide these kinds of safeguards and that the U.S. Department of Education has always seen “sex” as a binary difference between males and females. According to Skrmetti, Title IX was never meant to stop harassment based on gender identity.
“The attempt by the Department of Education to expand the definition of sex discrimination runs afoul of our separation of powers,” Skrmetti said.
The lawsuit says that bathroom rules might need to be changed when the new rules start to apply. It also says that transgender kids shouldn’t be limited from playing sports that match their gender identity. The case also said that the change might be against the First Amendment.
According to Miguel Cardona, who used to be the secretary of education, the new rule makes it “crystal clear that everyone can access schools that are safe, welcoming, and that respect their rights.”
All schools that get government money have to follow Title IX. Legislators in Tennessee thought about turning down billions of dollars in education funds before the legislative session started because of federal rules that protect transgender kids.
The new language for Title IX will start on August 1.
