The United States of America is celebrating 50 years of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. This country has made tremendous strides as an exemplar to the rest of the world in striving for equality between the sexes. However, this civil rights law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funding is getting a makeover under the Biden administration. The president plans to add gender identity to the anti-discrimination law in an effort to further “inclusivity.”
Importance of Title IX
Before 1972, men dominated most professional, educational, and sports industries. Today, that is no longer the case, though, statistically, men still lead certain professions and receive more viewership and in turn more money in sports. Yet, as Americans, we should be proud of the progress we have made. Women who participated in the Women’s Suffrage movement would never think we would be at the place that we are now.
However, Mr. Biden’s push to alter Title IX in a woke manner diminishes the importance of women and their rights. At least, that’s what Betsy DeVos and several state attorneys general believe. The Former Education Secretary says the redefining of “sex” in the law to mean “gender” and “gender identity” is a “bridge too far.” It would legally expand the definition of biological sex, treating transwomen as women in all regards.
Sex Vs. Gender
Current Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says his department’s proposal would “make clear those protections include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.” Americans who believe in liberty, freedom, and equality see everyone as equal, no matter what. However, at what expense? The women of this country fought for decades to be treated equally. While many would argue that transgender women deserve the same education and treatment from the government as men and women in this country, should we risk turning our backs on women and their historical and present struggles?
Implications
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) is concerned. He says this will mean “if you don’t conform to the left’s new gender ideologies, you could lose your job or get kicked out of school.” This would come from government-funded schools not treating transwomen as women in every aspect, including sports. On the other hand, Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) says this move is “long overdue.”
Where would this come most into play? Women’s sports. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) says, “God created men and women differently from a physical standpoint, and that’s a biological fact.” It’s difficult to dispute that statement. Men and women are chemically, biologically, and physically different. This is precisely why the inclusion of transwomen in women’s sports is so controversial. For some, it’s the principle; that transwomen should be treated as women because that is how they identify. However, those transwomen were biological men before their transition, which, according to research, puts them at an advantage over biological women.
Sexual Misconduct
These Title IX changes also relate to handling sexual misconduct cases in schools. Under President Trump, Betsy Devos instigated a rule that permitted students accused of sexual harassment more opportunities to defend themselves prior to a full investigation or punishment. President Obama’s administration initially laid out how universities were to conduct Title IX situations. This required schools to investigate almost all complaints of sexual misconduct, no matter their time of occurrence.
DeVos took issue with the potential damage done to the wrongfully accused. So, she crafted a new framework that, she says, “very clearly sets up a framework that’s fair, that’s balanced, that respects the rights of both individuals in a party with an issue.”
Sexual assault survivor advocacy groups and civil rights organizations took significant issue with this change and other changes made by DeVos regarding Title IX, saying they did not protect victims. The present Department of Education announced it would eradicate said changes, as it promised to do on the campaign trail.
