A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s new Title IX rule that expanded protections for LGBTQ students in six additional states, dealing another setback for the policy. under legal attack By Republican attorneys general.
U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves cited a “virtually arbitrary” rule in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia to block it. His decision comes days after a different federal judge temporarily blocked The new rule goes into effect in Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi and Montana.
It was applauded Monday by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, who said the regulation would undermine equal opportunities for women.
“The judge’s order makes clear that the US Department of Education’s attempt to reinsert ‘gender’ into ‘gender identity’ is illegal and outside the agency’s regulatory authority,” Coleman said.
The two events are among at least seven supported by more than 20 Republican states fighting against President Joe Biden’s administration. The policy, which will take effect in August, expands Title IX civil rights protections for LGBTQ students, expands the definition of sexual harassment in schools and colleges, and adds protections for victims.
In another lawsuit, the Department of Education on Friday asked a federal judge in Missouri to deny a request for a preliminary injunction against the new rule. The lawsuit was filed last month by Republican attorneys general from Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The department said the rule would “significantly undermine the federal government’s interest in preventing discrimination in federally funded educational programs and activities.”