In May 2023, transgender rights activists marched through the University of Montana campus in Missoula to raise awareness for their cause. Subsequently, the Biden administration introduced new Title IX regulations in April 2023. These regulations aimed to protect transgender students from discrimination in federally funded K-12 schools, colleges, and universities across the United States.
The new rules specifically mandated that schools address discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. This included allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that corresponded with their gender identity and recognizing their preferred pronouns. However, the regulations did not initially address whether transgender women should be allowed to participate in women’s sports teams.
The regulations faced legal challenges from Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho. On June 14, 2024, U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty, appointed by former President Donald Trump, issued a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of these rules in the four states mentioned. Judge Doughty argued that the regulations could compromise the privacy and safety of female students, stating they represent an "abuse of power" by the Biden administration.
The Education Department, however, defended the regulations, insisting they were crafted through a rigorous process to ensure no individual experiences sex discrimination in educational environments. Both sides expect ongoing legal battles, with the possibility that the Supreme Court may ultimately decide on the issue. The ruling has added uncertainty as schools prepare for the new academic year, with conflicting directives from federal and state authorities.