Back in 1972, the United States government implemented a law banning sex-based discrimination from educational institutions that received government funding, called Title IX. The original goal was to ensure that girls and women would be given the opportunity to participate in sports, activities, and other programs that their male peers had full access to, but has evolved over time. Title IX also covers sexual harassment and violence at these institutions, meaning that any form of sexual misconduct is unacceptable and violates the law.
In 2024, the Biden Administration expanded Title IX protections to also prohibit discrimination and sexual misconduct based on gender identity and sexuality, ensuring that members of the LGBTQ+ community were covered by Title IX as well.
Unfortunately, just yesterday (September 28th, 2026) the Trump administration repealed this rule, rolling back Title IX’s LGBTQ+ protections– a decision made under the guise of “protecting women and girls” from trans women and girls. As a result, Title IX now only covers sex-based discrimination and sexual misconduct, and protections based on gender identity and sexuality have been removed.
Fortunately, Rhode Island still recognizes protections for LGBTQ+ students. (Read more from GLAD Law here.) However, this is why we stress the importance of getting involved in local politics. If Rhode Island’s state law did not protect LGBTQ+ students, changes at the federal level could impact our state differently.
It is no secret that sexual harassment and violence towards women and girls runs rampant in schools and on college campuses. Just in the last week alone, several stories about sexual violence towards women and girls in educational institutions have made headlines. From the Cornell University rape case involving seven different men, to the recent arrests of four boys who attend Hope High School in Providence and have been charged with sexual assault, it is clear that sexual violence in educational institutions is a major issue everywhere, including in our own back yard.
What is also clear is that the perpetrators of sexual violence in educational institutions are almost always boys and men, and that trans women are not a threat to any demographic. In fact, studies show that transgender students experience sexual violence at alarming rates and also need protection. The Department of Education removing LGBTQ+ protections, ironically in the name of “protection,” is yet another attempt by the current administration to further their anti-trans agenda by weaponizing Title IX and exploiting violence against women and girls.
In the two previously mentioned cases, both survivors were cisgender girls/young women, however, removing any Title IX protections is incredibly risky and irresponsible, and weakens protections from sexual violence altogether. We know that Title IX doesn’t prevent perpetrators from offending, however, rescinding regulations meant to protect those who are already marginalized sends a dangerous message and will undoubtedly have consequences.
By making this decision, the U.S. Department of Education has only put members of the LGBTQ+ community more at risk of being victimized. This will not solve this country’s ubiquitous sexual violence issue, nor will it make girls and women safer in their classrooms or on their college campuses.
