This blog originally appeared at THE HILL.
Governor DeSantis reaffirms Florida’s stance against Biden administration’s updated Title IX regulations, citing concerns over state sovereignty and due process rights. His declaration signals a potential clash between federal directives and state autonomy in matters of education policy.
On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) firmly declared his state’s stance against the recently revealed alterations to Title IX by the Biden administration.
In a video shared on the social platform X, DeSantis stated, “Florida outright rejects President Biden’s endeavor to amend Title IX. We stand firm in our refusal to comply and will actively oppose these changes.”
He emphasized, “We will not permit Joe Biden to interject men into women’s affairs nor undermine parental rights. Florida will not tolerate any misuse of constitutional authority to impose these policies upon us.”
Last week, the Biden administration unveiled finalized adjustments to Title IX, incorporating protections for transgender students into the federal law combating sex-based discrimination. These revisions are slated to become effective in early August.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona highlighted, “These concluding regulations uphold the spirit of Title IX, ensuring that all students across our nation have access to schools that prioritize safety, inclusivity, and the safeguarding of their rights.”
DeSantis has faced criticism from LGBTQ advocates in the past for enacting state laws perceived as detrimental to their community, including the contentious “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, which restricts discourse on LGBTQ topics within Florida’s public school system.
Last year, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ advocacy group in the nation, joined forces with a Florida-based LGBTQ advocacy organization to issue a cautionary advisory against traveling to Florida.
The joint travel advisory from HRC and Equality Florida expressed concerns regarding Florida’s array of laws and policies targeting fundamental freedoms and rights, which collectively pose significant risks to the well-being and safety of individuals considering relocating to or visiting the state.
Brandon Wolf, the national press secretary for HRC, conveyed in an emailed statement to The Hill, “Politicians in Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and elsewhere are already rallying to oppose crucial protections for students in American schools.”
Wolf criticized these “MAGA politicians” for prioritizing theatrics and divisive rhetoric over safeguarding the needs of their state’s students, warning that non-compliance with Title IX could result in detrimental consequences for schools, including substantial loss of funding that should be allocated towards facilitating academic success.
Jon Harris Maurer, Equality Florida’s public policy director, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Governor DeSantis cannot disregard federal protections designed to ensure the well-being of students and families, including LGBTQ students, survivors of sexual assault and harassment, and pregnant students. Maurer affirmed their commitment to collaborating with parents across the state to create an educational environment where every student can thrive.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education reaffirmed the department’s commitment to upholding the Title IX guarantee of nondiscrimination in schools, emphasizing that federally funded schools must adhere to the final Title IX regulations to receive federal funds.
In a memo dated Thursday and shared with The Hill, Florida’s Commissioner of Education, Manny Diaz Jr., asserted that Florida will vigorously oppose the changes to Title IX. Diaz criticized the Biden administration for what he perceived as an attempt to distort the statute, accusing them of disregarding Congress’s clear directive to prevent discrimination based on biological sex.
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