John Brun’s journey through Northern Kentucky University (NKU) has been nothing short of transformative. He greed up in a conservative Christian family in northern Kentucky and came out as gay during his junior year of high school and it was not a small feat. However, at NKU, Brun discovered a community where he could thrive and eventually became president of a club for queer students. This acceptance stood in stark contrast to the very tough environment he had previously acquainted with.
This happens the SAME DAY the Biden-Harris administration’s Title IX rewrite goes into effect in the US
THIS is exactly what it allows for & celebrates. Don’t be surprised or ask “how did we get here?” when this continues to happen at an exponential rate pic.twitter.com/YnlMY0TDCA
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 1, 2024
The Biden administration recently updated Title IX, aiming to broaden protections against discrimination. These changes, which include explicit safeguards for LGBTQ+ students and staff, as well as victims of sexual misconduct and pregnant or parenting students, mark a significant evolution of the 1972 law originally focused on preventing sex-based discrimination. Yet, this progressive step has sparked a wave of legal challenges across more than half of the United States.
In Kentucky, where Brun continues his studies, the implementation of these new protections has hit a roadblock due to ongoing legal disputes. Conservative state officials and advocacy groups have launched a fierce opposition, accusing the federal government of pushing an unwelcome “gender ideology” agenda. This legal wrangling has resulted in a confusing patchwork of enforcement, with some schools adhering to older, Trump-era guidelines, while others attempt to align with the new rules.
Today is August 1st, meaning the new Biden/Harris Admin rewrite of Title IX goes into effect. What happened in the Olympics this morning will become the reality for millions of women and girls across the country.
Help us keep women’s sports female here: https://t.co/5Uc9DFZ66n pic.twitter.com/ls6rbxqufi
— Paula Scanlan (@PaulaYScanlan) August 1, 2024
This inconsistency has left students and educators in a state of uncertainty, unsure of what protections apply and where. The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to clarify the situation by narrowing the scope of injunctions that are currently blocking parts of the new regulations, but a clear resolution is still pending.
James Renton, a nonbinary student and a friend of Brun’s at NKU, voiced disappointment over the stalled implementation of the new Title IX rules in Kentucky. Renton has been actively fighting against local legislation that aimed to dismantle LGBTQ+ student groups at public colleges, a struggle that highlights the broader challenges faced by queer students in conservative areas.
Rest assured, I have already appealed today’s Title IX decision. Alabama’s young women deserve better. pic.twitter.com/lYIBe7orRk
— Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) July 30, 2024
Key Points:
- The Biden administration’s new Title IX updates aim to protect LGBTQ+ students and staff, alongside victims of sexual misconduct and pregnant students.
- These revisions mark the first time explicit protections for LGBTQ+ individuals are included under the law.
- Over half of U.S. states are challenging the new rules, causing a patchwork of enforcement across the country.
- Legal disputes create uncertainty for students and educators about applicable protections.
- The Justice Department seeks Supreme Court intervention to clarify the scope of the new regulations amidst ongoing opposition.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
