Title IX protection extended to transgender students amid surge of legislation attacking their rights

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the Department of Education's announcement that transgender students are now protected under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation in educational settings that receive federal aid.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Title IX Protections for Transgender Students

1. What did the Department of Education announce regarding Title IX protections for transgender students?

• The Department of Education announced that transgender students are now protected under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation in educational settings that receive federal aid.
• This means that LGBTQ+ students have the same rights and deserve the same protections as other students, and schools must provide an opportunity for all students to learn and thrive without discrimination.

2. What was the rationale behind this announcement?

• The announcement aligns with the Supreme Court's ruling that upholds the right for LGBTQ+ people to live and work without fear of harassment, exclusion, and discrimination.
• The Department of Education wants to ensure that all students, including LGBTQ+ students, have the opportunity to learn and thrive in schools that are free from discrimination.

3. How does this announcement relate to the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth?

• The announcement comes amid a difficult year for LGBTQ+ youth, with a recent survey finding that 70% of LGBTQ+ youth reported their mental health was "poor" at least most of the time over the past year, and more than half of transgender or nonbinary youth seriously considered attempting suicide.
• The Department of Education's actions aim to provide LGBTQ+ students with safe and affirming school environments, which can be life-saving for this vulnerable population.

[02] Legislative Landscape for Transgender Youth

1. What is the current legislative landscape regarding transgender youth rights?

• In the 2021 legislative session, 23 states have considered more than 50 bills targeting transgender youth, with the majority of these bills limiting either the healthcare transgender youth can receive or their ability to participate in school sports.

2. How does the Department of Education's announcement relate to these legislative efforts?

• The announcement signals the Biden administration's effort to reverse the policies targeting transgender individuals that were implemented under the Trump administration, such as the reversal of policies requiring public schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
• The Department of Education's actions aim to provide protections for transgender and LGBTQ+ students in the face of the surge of state-level bills seeking to limit their rights.