Title IX Today - March 30, 2023
ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators)
Association of Title IX Administrators
Title IX Today?is a publication by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA). You can learn more about?becoming a member today. Receive Title IX Today every Tuesday directly in your inbox by subscribing today.
Today's edition of?Title IX Today?is brought to you by Alisha Carter Harris, M.S.
Lawsuits, restrooms, and legislative actions are the themes of this week’s edition of?Title IX Today. Several articles highlight recent Title IX settlements and lawsuits, including a lawsuit filed by former Office for Civil Rights Acting Assistant Secretary, Candace Jackson, on behalf of an Illinois student and her mother. Also, review an article from Diverse Issues in Higher Education that discusses how Title IX compliance efforts fit into broader equity efforts at higher education institutions.
Guilford County Schools (GCS) has settled with a former student who claimed the district failed to appropriately respond to her sexual assault report under Title IX regulations. The student alleged that the district failed to investigate her claims and violated her rights to a safe education environment. Under the settlement, the district will implement several changes to its Title IX practices and pay the student $350,000 in damages.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former press secretary for President Donald Trump, has promised to ban transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams and ensure that only biological females use female public school bathrooms, in her campaign for Arkansas governor. Advocates criticized her stance as discriminatory and based on fear-mongering and said transgender students deserve the same rights and protections as all other students.
A former bus driver for Clark County School District (CCSD) in Las Vegas has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting three preschool students on his bus. The families of the victims have filed a lawsuit against CCSD, seeking $18 million in damages for alleged negligence in the hiring and supervision of the driver.
A Florida elementary school principal has been reassigned after parents complained about a display of a reproduction of Michelangelo's "David" statue at the school. The parents argued that the statue was inappropriate for young children and demanded it be removed.
Apr. 18, 2023 | 11:00am-6:00pm
Apr. 25, 2023 | 11:00am - 6:00pm
A new bill proposed in California would require the state's public universities and colleges to report sexual harassment and assault cases to a centralized system for review. The proposed law would also require the schools to prevent retaliation against victims and provide support and resources to survivors.
West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) President Walter Wendler has defended his decision to cancel an on-campus drag show, citing concerns about the event's alignment with the university's core values and mission. In a letter to students, staff, and faculty, Wendler emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment on campus while also upholding the university's values and commitment to academic freedom.
领英推荐
Seven more women have joined a Title IX lawsuit against Loyola University in New Orleans, bringing the total number of plaintiffs to 21. The lawsuit alleges that the university mishandled sexual assault and harassment complaints and retaliated against students who reported such incidents.
The piece offers an analysis of the current status of Title IX in higher education, with a focus on the regulatory changes made during the Trump administration. It presents the benefits of the new regulations such as ensuring due process while also acknowledging the concerns that these changes may deter the reporting of sexual misconduct cases.
Wellesley College has confirmed that it will continue to admit only cisgender women, despite calls from some alumni to change its policy. The decision has sparked criticism from some LGBTQ advocates who argue that the policy is discriminatory and outdated.
Apr. 3-4, 2023 | 11:00am - 6:00pm
Apr. 25-26, 2023 | 11:00am - 6:00pm
On Wednesday, an anti-trans bill in Kentucky appeared dead as lawmakers debated its potential consequences. However, Republicans surprised Democrats, transgender activists, and their allies by holding a committee vote and pushing the bill through approvals in both the state House and Senate the next day. Although Democratic Governor Andy Beshear is not expected to sign the bill, the GOP has enough of a majority to override his veto.
The governor of Wyoming, Mark Gordon, signed a bill that bans transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams sponsored by public K-12 schools and state universities, despite calling it "a really draconian measure" earlier. The law has faced criticism from civil rights groups and transgender athletes who say it is discriminatory and violates their rights.
The Human Rights Campaign has criticized the Oklahoma House's approval of a bill banning teaching LGBTQ issues in schools. The bill, dubbed "Don't Say LGBTQ," would also prevent teachers from providing resources or support to students who are part of the LGBTQ community.
World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, has upheld its ban on transgender athletes competing in women's events at the elite level. The ban applies specifically to athletes with differences of sex development (DSD), who have higher testosterone levels.
The South Dakota legislature has passed a bill prohibiting transgender girls and women from playing on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. The bill requires that transgender athletes submit to an examination of their reproductive anatomy to participate in sports.
According to a Bloomberg Law analysis, only plausible claims of sexual harassment and assault under the #MeToo movement can keep a case in court. Courts increasingly dismiss cases with insufficient evidence or those that don't meet the legal standards for sexual harassment or assault.