In the latest attempt to attack trans students, Governor Gianforte signed on to a letter with 14 other Governors urging President Biden not to make changes to the Title IX regulations. The U.S. Department of Education’s proposed changes would restore protections from sexual harassment and assault, as well as sex-based discrimination, including for LGBTQI+ students who confront discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the letter Gov. Gianforte expresses concern for the protection of trans students and their participation in sports regardless of the fact that the proposed changes do not mention trans students in sports.
Keegan Medrano the ACLU of Montana policy director, had the following reaction:
“Gianforte would rather punish than protect our students. Gianforte is playing politics with Montana students—trying to make protections from bullying, harassment, and violence in our schools about trans kids in sports. The proposed changes from the U.S. Department of Education focuses on sexual discrimination in schools by boosting victim protections and modifying language to include sexual orientation and gender identity for LGBTQI+ students. However, Governor Gianforte has again shown his hatred for the trans community by twisting his interpretation of the proposed changes and utilizing this as an opportunity to again attack trans students.
Montana's students should be able to go to school to learn and feel free from harassment, bullying, and violence—this letter calls Gianforte's commitment to this into question. If any student is being denied the right to join a sports team or feels that they have been discriminated against at their school due to their transgender status, we encourage them to contact the ACLU of Montana immediately.”
The U.S. Department of Education will collect and review public comments on its proposed amendments before issuing its final regulations. Comments must be received on or before September 12, 2022.
To submit a comment got to the Federal Registry https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/12/2022-13734/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-sex-in-education-programs-or-activities-receiving-federal
