Biden 'rolls back decades of women's rights' with changes to Title IX law

Mr. Biden, pictured Friday, angered Republicans with changes to Title IX. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP

Joe Biden's conservatives accuse them of undermining «decades of progress and protections for women and girls» with new rules aimed at ending gender discrimination in schools and colleges.

The US government on Friday published new rules to update Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funds.

Biden's changes mean discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation is also prohibited under federal law. Critics say the move will undermine protections for women in school toilets and sports fields.

Rules have become key. Battleground in the culture war between progressives and conservatives over gender identity.

Mr. Biden has pledged to provide federal protections for transgender athletes to play sports as their chosen gender.

Friday's update does not directly address the issue but expands the scope of the rules to include discrimination LGBTQ students.

LGBTQ activists protested at the Texas Capitol last year Photo: Mikala Compton/AP

This law makes it illegal to treat students differently based on their gender identity, a change that could be used to advance the rights of transgender students. use their preferred bathroom or locker room.

At least 11 states currently restrict which restrooms and locker rooms transgender students can use, barring them from the facilities that match their gender identity.

Virginia Foxx, Republican congresswoman and chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said: “The Department of Education delivered Title IX and decades of improvements and protections the women and girls he brought straight to the chopping block. .

“This final rule adds kerosene to the already raging fire that is the Democrats' contemptuous culture war, which aims to radically redefine sex and gender.”

Other conservatives have suggested the rules could be used by transgender students for school sports and college.

Virginia Foxx, a Republican congresswoman, said the rule change jeopardizes protections for girls and women. Photo: José Luis Magana/AP

“Today, the Biden administration redefined what it means to be a woman,” said Republican Congresswoman Tommy Tuberville. Republican senator from Alabama.

“The final rule released today requires schools to allow biological boys to participate in activities and clubs designated for girls.”

Betsy DeVos, Incumbent Secretary of Education in the Donald Trump administration suggested that the new rules could be challenged in court.

“The Biden administration's sweeping rewrite of Title IX undermines half a century of protections and opportunities for women and callously replaces them with radical gender theory, as demanded by Biden's far-left political base,” she said.

She added: “The American people reject this approach, and I fully expect both Congress and the courts to do the same in the weeks and months ahead.»

Changes will 'strengthen LGBTQ rights'

Biden officials say the rules will strengthen protections for LGBTQ rights in schools , and point to an updated process to combat sexual harassment.

The new rules eliminate the Trump-era requirement that sexual harassment be “objective.” offensive» and a provision that cases must be heard in real time, which critics say discourages plaintiffs from coming forward.

Miguel Cardona, the education secretary, said the rules » make it crystal clear that everyone can access schools that are safe, welcoming and respectful of their rights.»

«No one should face bullying or discrimination just because of who they are or who they are He loves. Unfortunately, this happens too often,” he said.

The American Council on Education, which represents higher education institutions, praised the new rules but criticized the Aug. 1 deadline for schools and colleges to comply with them .

The timeline “does not take into account the challenges of implementing these changes on our nation's campuses in such a short period of time,” the group said.