Biden Administration Defends Title IX Changes Amid New Injunctions and Ongoing Lawsuits

A federal judge in Louisiana, Terry Doughty, has temporarily blocked the Biden administration's new Title IX rule, which expands protections for LGBTQ+ students, in four states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho. The judge ruled that the Department of Education overstepped its authority and called the new rule an 'abuse of power' and a 'threat to democracy.' The rule, set to take effect on August 1, aims to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in federally funded educational programs. This decision aligns with multiple lawsuits from Republican-led states arguing that the rule unlawfully broadens the scope of Title IX without proper congressional authorization. The Education Department has stated its intent to defend the rule, which also includes expanded definitions of sexual harassment and protections for victims of sexual violence. The ruling represents a significant setback for civil rights advocates who praise the new protections, but it has faced strong opposition from conservative groups and GOP attorneys general.