Federal Judge in Louisiana Blocks New Title IX Rule; Other States Follow Suit
BATON ROUGE, La. – A federal judge in Louisiana has temporarily blocked the Biden Administration's new Title IX rule covering LGBTQ students, part of a series of legal challenges nationwide.
On Monday, U.S. Western District Judge Terry Doughty sided with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, halting the rule in Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho. This follows similar actions in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia.
Murrill filed a lawsuit two months ago against the rule, which allows students to use bathrooms, locker rooms, and living quarters matching their gender identity. Judge Doughty's injunction strengthens her case.
“I was very grateful he acted swiftly,” Murrill said Monday. “The court has blocked those rules from taking effect, so Title IX will continue as it has for the past 50 years.”
Murrill’s lawsuit was co-signed by attorneys general from Mississippi, Montana, and Idaho, extending the judge’s injunction to those states. Six other federal lawsuits are also challenging the new Title IX rule.
“If a preliminary injunction is issued, the federal government typically seeks a stay in the Fifth Circuit, and if denied, will go to the Supreme Court,” Murrill explained.
Judge Doughty’s ruling cited the Department of Education's overreach, violations of free speech and the free exercise of religion, and breaches of the spending clause and Administrative Procedures Act.
Governor Jeff Landry recently signed a law banning individuals from using public restrooms and locker rooms differing from their birth-assigned gender. He and State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley urged officials to ignore the new Title IX rule.
“This is disrespectful and contradicts their stance on being tough on crime,” said Peyton Rose Michelle of LA Trans Advocates, criticizing the lawsuit and injunction as harmful to children. “I don’t understand their commitment to harming youth.”
Dr. Brumley reassured parents on Monday that the new Title IX rule would not take effect in Louisiana in August. "Our recommendation is that you not change your practices to adhere to the proposed Title IX changes," his statement read.
