A federal judge has issued a temporary block on the Biden administration's new Title IX rule expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students in six additional states. U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves referred to the regulation as "arbitrary in the truest sense of the word" as he granted a preliminary injunction blocking it in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. This ruling follows a similar decision by another federal judge to block the rule from taking effect in Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Montana.
The decision in Kentucky was met with approval from the state's GOP attorney general, Russell Coleman, who argued that the regulation would undermine equal opportunities for women. Coleman stated that the Department of Education's attempt to redefine "sex" to include "gender identity" is unlawful and beyond the agency's regulatory authority.
This ruling is part of a larger legal battle involving more than 20 Republican-led states challenging President Biden's rule. The policy, set to take effect in August, expands Title IX civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ students, broadens the definition of sexual harassment at schools and colleges, and adds safeguards for victims.
In response to these legal challenges, the Education Department has asked a federal judge in Missouri to deny a request for a preliminary injunction against the new rule. The department argues that blocking the rule would harm the federal government's interest in preventing discrimination in federally funded educational programs and activities.
Overall, the legal battle over the Biden administration's new Title IX rule highlights the ongoing debate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and gender identity issues in educational settings. The conflicting views and legal challenges demonstrate the complexity of navigating these sensitive and contentious issues in a politically divided landscape.