Louisiana's Superintendent of Education, Cade Brumley, has urged school districts not to amend their policies to adhere to new federal regulations extending civil rights safeguards to LGBTQ+ students.
Released by the U.S. Department of Education on Friday, the rules under Title IX, which bars sex-based discrimination in federally funded educational institutions, explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In a letter dated April 22, Brumley asserted that these regulations, effective from August 1, would mandate schools to permit transgender girls' use of girls' facilities and compel teachers to use names or pronouns inconsistent with students' assigned sex at birth. He contended that these rules would clash with a state law enacted in 2022, barring transgender girls and women from participating in female school sports teams.
Brumley's stance aligns with Louisiana's broader efforts, led by Republican lawmakers, to curtail LGBTQ+ rights, particularly those of transgender youth. These legislative moves include bans on gender-affirming medical care and proposed restrictions on bathroom usage and pronoun use in schools.
Attorney General Liz Murrill has pledged to legally challenge the federal rules, potentially prolonging uncertainty for educators and students. While LGBTQ+ advocacy groups urge adherence to federal guidelines until legal clarity is achieved, the state remains embroiled in a divisive standoff with the Biden administration over LGBTQ+ protections.
Louisiana's resistance mirrors broader ideological clashes nationwide, with Republican officials challenging the federal government's interpretation of Title IX. Despite federal assurances of protection against discrimination, states like Louisiana argue that the law only covers biological sex, not gender identity.
Amidst this legal and ideological battleground, LGBTQ+ students continue to grapple with significant challenges. Nationally, they face heightened rates of bullying and feelings of insecurity compared to their heterosexual peers, highlighting the urgency for comprehensive protections and inclusive policies within educational settings.