TOPEKA, KS (July 2, 2024) – In a significant judicial decision, a federal court in Kansas has issued an order preventing the Biden Department of Education from enforcing its newly revised Title IX regulations. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF) and the Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF) on behalf of the advocacy groups Moms for Liberty and Young America’s Foundation. This legal action was supported by the states of Kansas, Alaska, Utah, and Wyoming, alongside other concerned students and interest groups.

The contested changes to Title IX, proposed by the Department of Education, aimed to redefine the term “sex” to include gender identity and sex stereotypes. Under these new rules, individuals who did not acknowledge gender identity or who spoke against gender identity could be penalized for harassment. This expansion of the definition of “sex” under Title IX has created concerns among various groups, including parents and students associated with Moms for Liberty and Young America’s Foundation, who believe that such changes infringe upon their First Amendment rights.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that the new Title IX regulations would force students to self-censor, fearing punishment for expressing views that differ from the administration’s stance on gender identity. They emphasized that students who believe in the traditional binary concept of gender and those advocating for sex-segregated private spaces on campuses would be at risk of disciplinary actions under the new rules.

The federal court concurred with these arguments, ruling that the Department of Education’s revised definition of “sex” under Title IX is excessively vague and could lead to a chilling effect on free speech in educational settings. As a result, the court’s order prohibits the Biden Administration from implementing these changes in the states of Kansas, Alaska, Utah, and Wyoming. Additionally, the ruling extends protection to all schools attended by members of Young America’s Foundation and the children of Moms for Liberty members.

This decision marks a pivotal moment in the debate over Title IX and gender identity in educational institutions. It highlights the legal and constitutional challenges faced by the Biden Administration in enforcing its policies on gender identity.

For more details on the court order, visit the official document here.