WASHINGTON — Today, MAGA Republicans in the United States House of Representatives passed H.J.Res.165, an attempt to overturn the Department of Education’s recent rule clarifying Title IX non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students, pregnant and parenting students, and survivors of sexual assault and harassment. If it became law, the resolution would invalidate the regulation, and would prevent any future administration from issuing a similar regulation interpreting the scope of these critical non-discrimination protections, causing irreparable harm to students across the country.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“Every young person deserves the chance to go to school, get an education, and secure their future – without discrimination. But MAGA politicians are trying to take those opportunities from our country’s youth. For more than 50 years, Title IX has existed for a purpose: to ensure students are safe from abuse, harassment, and discrimination while they pursue their education. The Senate should stand with America’s students, tackle the real issues young people are facing each day, and reject this MAGA resolution.”

The White House has promised to veto the resolution if it reaches the president’s desk, rendering the entire exercise a futile political gesture that only serves to create a climate of fear for those the rule is designed to protect.

The Title IX rule, issued on April 19, 2024, clarifies the scope of non-discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity throughout federally funded educational activities and programs. It also reverses Trump-era changes to Title IX that limited federally funded educational institutions’ obligation to address sexual harassment and assault and clarifies protections for pregnant and parenting students.

In a letter to Congress opposing today’s resolution, a coalition of organizations working to advance gender justice, LGBTQ+ rights, civil rights, and student rights issued a fierce defense of LGBTQ+ youth:

“We collectively reject the false narrative that equal educational opportunity for transgender and non-binary students undermines protections for cisgender girls and women. Transgender women are women and transgender girls are girls who deserve the full protection of federal civil rights law. Policies that seek to undermine protections for transgender women and girls–whether in accessing school restrooms or playing sports–harm all women and girls by allowing them to be subjected to unwarranted and inappropriate scrutiny.”

At a time when far too many LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe and without support in school halls, the Title IX rule makes it clear to school districts across the country that they have an obligation to protect students from discrimination, protections that could be lifesaving for millions of students. In practice, it means that students can use the bathroom and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, can attend prom and other school dances with a same-sex date, and can depict LGBTQ+ families in the art they paint and in the stories they write. It also means schools can’t intentionally misgender students, create a hostile environment where LGTBQ+ students are bullied, or retaliate against students who complain of harassment or discrimination.

Since the rule was issued, there have been three separate injunctions, temporarily blocking enforcement of non-discrimination protections in more than a dozen states and districts. In total, 26 states have challenged the new Title IX rule as part of a right-wing effort to undermine LGBTQ+ rights.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.