WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S District Court for the Western District of Louisiana issued an injunction against the Biden administration’s newly finalized Title IX rules, blocking federal agency enforcement of nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in federally funded educational programs for students in the state. This decision was issued by Trump-appointed judge Terry A. Doughty.

In addition to the Louisiana lawsuit, there are eight additional cases that have been filed on behalf of additional states, counties, school districts, and organizations and private litigants. In total, 26 states have challenged the new Title IX rules. The decisions in these cases have yet to be issued.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“Every student in Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana and Idaho deserves to be safe. Every young person deserves protection from bullying, misgendering, and abuse. Today’s decision prioritizes anti-LGBTQ+ hate over the safety and well-being of students in the state. This is MAGA theatrics with the dangerous goal of weaving discrimination into law. HRC will continue to mobilize communities and work to make sure that all students are protected under law.”

Judge Doughty’s injunction will prevent the U.S. Department of Education from taking administrative enforcement action in the impacted states in response to suspected violations of Title IX, as clarified in the rule finalized by the U.S. Department of Education on April 19. The rule clarifies the scope of nondiscrimination 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. Today’s ruling does not prevent students in impacted states from filing Title IX lawsuits for discrimination on the basis of what is clarified in the new rule.

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.