Last week the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Wisconsin school district violated Ash Whitaker’s civil rights when they prevented the transgender student from using the boys’ bathroom. The court ruled that Whitaker’s civil rights are protected under the sex discrimination ban in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Feminist Majority Foundations Sues University of Mary Washington For Title IX Violation
The university’s administration, including President Hurley, was aware of the over 700 “Yaks”, many of which directly threatened the women with physical harm, including rape, and yet failed to take any action to enforce Title IX and ensure the women’s safety, citing misguided First Amendment concerns.
Advocates Demand DeVos Respect Title IX
On Friday, advocates and survivors of sexual assault went to the Department of Education to demand that Secretary DeVos listen to their concerns about the continuation and enforcement of Title IX, which promises freedom from sex discrimination in order to achieve equal access to education.
Trump Rescinds Obama Administration Protections for Transgender Students
In a joint letter from the Department of Justice and Department of Education, the Trump administration claimed that the Obama administration had not sought proper legal analysis or provided appropriate explanation for why these protections were guaranteed under Title IX.
Betsy DeVos Confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Education
“This is the first time in American history that a Vice President has ever had make a tie-breaking vote to confirm a Cabinet nominee, showing just how weak DeVos’ position really is,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. “Every single Senator who voted “Yes” is personally responsible for the deciding vote, and those of us concerned with equity in education will not soon forget it.”
Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing for Betsy Devos
Betsy DeVos’ Senate confirmation hearing to serve as secretary of the Department of Education (ED) was held Tuesday evening, as DeVos was questioned on issues ranging from guns in schools to the privatization of public education.
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Stalking Awareness Month
Every year, an average of 7.5 million people experience stalking in the United States alone.
Idaho Elementary School Found Non-Compliant with Title IX Due to Sex-Segregated Classrooms
Last week the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the US Department of Education (ED) determined that Idaho’s Middleton School District was in violation of Title IX for segregating elementary school students into all-girl and all-boy classrooms.
Supreme Court Will Hear Case of Transgender Student Barred from School Restroom
The Supreme Court announced last week that it will hear the case of Gavin Grimm, a 17-year-old transgender student who was barred from using the boys’ restroom at his Virginia high school.
BYU Adopts Honor Code Amnesty Clause for Sexual Assault Victims
Brigham Young University announced on Wednesday that it will no longer investigate the student-victims who report sexual assault for breaches of the honor code.
Students Fee Might Be Issued to Cover Costs of University of Maryland Title IX Office
The University of Maryland could potentially begin issuing an annual fee of $34 to their students in order to cover the costs of the University’s struggling Title IX office.
Transgender Rights under Attack in Minnesota, ACLU Seeks to Intervene
On Wednesday in Minnesota, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a motion to intervene in a case that was filed in an attempt to ban a transgender student from using the locker room matching her gender identity.
Feminist Majority Foundation Releases Report on Title IX Coordinators
The Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) released a multi-year report entitled Reinvigorating the Role of Title IX Coordinator: A Requirement and Resource.
Obama Administration Issues Title IX Guidance to K-12 Schools
Today the Obama administration released notices to K-12 schools concerning their obligations to prevent and address sexual harassment and assault under Title IX.
American Women Dominate the Olympic Games, Huge Success of Title IX
American women are taking home 61 medals from Rio, with another 55 going to the men and five awarded in mixed events.
Patsy Mink Gender Equity in Education Act Introduced in House and Senate
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has introduced the Patsy T. Mink Gender Equity in Education Act (GEEA) in the Senate; a companion bill by the same name was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY).
States Sue over Department of Education’s Transgender Equality Initiative
Ten more states sued the Obama Administration last week over a federal directive requiring schools to allow transgender students to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity, joining the eleven states that had already filed suit in May.
Pat Summit, Trailblazer of Women’s Sports, Dies at 64
Pat Summit, former coach for Tennessee’s Lady Vols basketball team and icon of women’s sports, died early on June 28 in Knoxville, TN.
Lawsuit Challenges North Carolina’s Anti-LGBT Law
Civil liberties groups joined with two transgender people and a law school professor today to file a federal suit challenging North Carolina’s new anti-LGBT law.
Federal Court Rejects Title IX Claim Made By Columbia Student Accused of Sexual Assault
A federal district court judge dismissed a lawsuit on Friday from a former Columbia University student who claimed that the university had violated Title IX by failing to protect him after one of his accusers, Emma Sulkowicz, publicly protested the university’s failure to find him responsible for sexual misconduct.
