Federal Court Blocks Title IX Gender Identity Rule

A federal district court in Kentucky has vacated the U.S. Department of Education’s 2024 Title IX Final Rule, which aimed to expand protections against sex-based harassment to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors. The court ruled that the Department exceeded its authority under Title IX, violating the First Amendment and the Spending Clause of the Constitution. The ruling, a significant victory for critics of the proposed changes, emphasized that discrimination under Title IX should remain focused on biological sex, rejecting claims that the redefinition was necessary for protecting LGBTQIA students. This decision prevents the implementation of changes that would have allowed individuals to access facilities based on gender identity and to participate in sports corresponding to that identity. The court's judgment aligns with ongoing legal battles against the Department's efforts to redefine sex discrimination, reflecting a broader cultural and political conflict over gender identity issues. With the ruling, the prior Title IX regulations remain in effect, maintaining the traditional definitions of sex discrimination.