'What happened to gender equality?': Internet slams Joe Biden's Title IX rules safeguarding LGBTQ+ students, trans sports rule still on hold

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden has introduced revised Title IX rules, aiming to bolster protections for LBTQ+ students, reforming the adjudication process for sexual harassment and assault claims on campuses.

This dismantling of the Title IX rules issued by the Education Department fulfills Biden's campaign promise to overhaul the Donald Trump-era regulations, reports Fox News.

What are Title IX rules?

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions that receive funding from the federal government.

The law passed in 1972 focussed on ensuring gender equality in sports and later expanded to address issues such as sexual harassment and assault on campuses.

Inside the Title IX regulations reintroduced by Joe Biden

Under the new provisions, discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation comes under sexual discrimination.

The regulation prohibits schools from separating or treating people differently based on sex, with limited exceptions.

However, the new rule does not address outright bans on transgender athletes in sports competing against biological females.

This decision by the Biden administration is seen by many as a political maneuver during an election year.

Reforms in Title IX adjudication processes

The reintroduced rules would alter the adjudication process for sexual harassment and assault claims.

The process will no longer require live hearings which were previously required for cross-examination.

College officials will be conducting separate interviews with students, allowing each to suggest questions and receive recordings of the responses.

The schools are required to use the "preponderance of the evidence" standard of proof.

Biden's reintroduction of the Title IX rules has drawn both praise from victims' advocates and criticism from Republicans who opine that the revision of the regulations erodes the rights of accused students.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stated that the new policy makes "crystal clear that everyone can access schools that are safe, welcoming and that respect their rights."

"No one should face bullying or discrimination just because of who they are, who they love. Sadly, this happens all too often," said Cardona.

The update in the Title IX rules will take effect in August.

Internet reacts to Joe Biden's dismantling of Trump-era Title IX rules

Following Biden's announcement of the new policy in Title IX rules, netizens slammed the president for the changes in the regulations.

"Tell me again how the Biden Regime “supports women” please. Take your time. I’ll wait," a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter) and another user tweeted, "Women must stand up or they will lose all the rights they have worked so hard for."

"And they claim to care about women’s rights," a netizen commented and a user tweeted, "I’m not sure how/why any woman would support a Democrat at this point in history," while one user wrote, "What happened to gender equality?"

"This is a monumental blow to women's rights in the United States. I hope that all women regardless of race, socioeconomic background, religion, political affiliation, etc. all unite against this," a netizen wrote.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.