President Joe Biden’s administration late Friday abandoned efforts to protect the rights of trans athletes to participate in sports based on their gender identity.
Stay up to date LGBTQ+ News and Politics. Sign up for The Advocate’s email newsletter.
The U.S. Department of Education has officially retracted. proposed rule First drafted in April 2023, it expands Title IX protections to protect transgender athletes’ right to play. The rule would prohibit educational institutions from denying student-athletes the ability to participate on men’s or women’s sports teams based on their gender identity.
a memo In detailing the decision to rescind the rule, the federal agency cited extensive comments it received and ongoing litigation with numerous states opposing the rule.
“The Department recognizes that there are multiple pending cases related to the application of Title IX in the context of gender identity, including cases related to the application of Title IX to athletic eligibility standards in different factual situations. “We are doing so,” the memo says. “In light of the comments received and the various pending litigation, the Department has decided not to regulate this issue at this time.”
defender We contacted the Ministry of Education regarding the revocation, but a representative did not respond for comment.
Of course, this reversal comes just weeks before the end of Biden’s term and the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged during his campaign to roll back all protections for transgender people put in place by Democratic administrations. Ta.
Some people close to the process suggested the Biden administration could partially waive the rule, concerned that the incoming administration could weaponize certain proposed language.
The draft rules still allow institutions to “minimize harm to students whose opportunities to participate on male or female teams are limited based on their gender identity” or “substantially related to the achievement of important educational goals.” It is permitted to restrict sports eligibility on the grounds that the Or denied. ” This language has already caused some anxiety among transgender advocates that discrimination could still occur if a school cites such concerns, even on flimsy grounds. There is.
This story is developing…
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
