A federal judge in Kentucky invalidated a Biden administration rule barring discrimination against transgender students, stating it conflicts with Title IX. U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves ruled that Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education, does not extend to gender identity. He argued the rule improperly bans distinctions based on biological sex, including sex-specific restrooms and dormitories.
Reeves, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, stated that redefining “on the basis of sex” to include gender identity contradicts Title IX’s intent. Critics have expressed concerns that the rule would force schools to allow transgender students access to facilities matching their gender identity. Reeves also cited First Amendment concerns, claiming the rule infringes on free speech and religious freedom by mandating the use of gender-identity pronouns.
The ruling, the first to permanently block the rule, follows earlier temporary injunctions in multiple states. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised the decision as a victory for “women and girls across America.”
The Education Department and Department of Justice have not commented. Legal protections for transgender individuals have been a contentious issue, with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump expected to repeal the rule.
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