Trump strips Biden-era LGBTQ+ language from Title IX rules. Advocates warn of far-reaching damage

The Trump administration on Monday formally removed federal regulations that explicitly protected LGBTQ+ students from sex discrimination, closing the books on a Biden-era rule that had already been struck down in court.The Education Department’s action restores the Title IX regulations published during President Donald Trump’s first term. For schools, the immediate practical change may be limited. A federal judge vacated the Biden administration’s 2024 rule nationwide in January 2025, and the department has enforced the 2020 regulations since shortly afterward. Monday’s decision makes that position official in the regulatory text.Related: How Donald Trump transformed the federal government’s treatment of LGBTQ+ AmericansBut the formal removal matters to students who saw the 2024 rule as a clear federal promise. It said Title IX’s ban on sex discrimination covered discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also strengthened protections for students facing sex-based harassment and for pregnant and parenting students.“This has weakened protections for all students, especially trans students, women and girls, and those who experience sexual harassment or sexual assault,” said Cathy Renna, communications director at the National LGBTQ Task Force.Title IX applies to schools and colleges that receive federal funding. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the administration’s action would make the published rules consistent with court orders and reduce confusion for families and schools. The change is expected to take effect Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.Related: Trump doesn't recognize Pride Month, but declares June Title IX MonthThe regulations returning to the books also shape what happens when a student reports sexual misconduct. Issued in 2020 under then-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, they set a narrower standard for sexual harassment that schools must address under Title IX and give students accused of misconduct ad