Staff Reports
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stood up to the Biden administration’s new Title IX rules, joining a growing number of states pushing back against what they see as federal overreach. DeSantis made it clear that Florida will not comply with the new guidelines, emphasizing the importance of protecting women’s rights and parental authority. This move comes after Oklahoma also announced its refusal to adhere to the updated Title IX regulations.
Florida Becomes Latest State to Tell Biden Administration Where to Stick Its New Title IX Ruleshttps://t.co/fqA6PXqFaJ
— RedState (@RedState) April 25, 2024
Conservatives argue that the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX are not about equality but rather about redefining gender and allowing individuals with gender dysphoria access to spaces traditionally reserved for women. Governor DeSantis expressed his firm stance against this, stating that Florida will resist any attempt to force women to share spaces with men and undermine parental rights. He called out President Biden for trying to impose these policies on the state, emphasizing the need to push back against such federal intrusion.
Attorney General Ashley Moody echoed DeSantis’ sentiments, criticizing the new rules for potentially endangering women and eroding longstanding protections. She highlighted concerns about young girls being compelled to undress in front of biological males and the implications for women’s scholarships. Moody vowed to challenge the Biden administration’s overhaul of Title IX in court, emphasizing the importance of upholding women’s rights and safety.
The pushback is not limited to Florida, as Oklahoma’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, also directed school districts in the state to disregard the White House’s guidelines. Walters condemned the Title IX changes as illegal and a threat to women’s rights, urging other states to follow Oklahoma’s lead in resisting the redefinition of sex to include claimed gender identities. He emphasized the need for state leaders to reject policies that compromise women’s safety and erase their rights.
Conservatives applaud these states for standing up against what they perceive as an assault on women’s rights and parental authority. They argue that the Biden administration’s inclusion of transgender individuals in Title IX’s protections raises concerns about the potential impact on women’s sports, locker rooms, and restrooms. By defying the federal government’s directives, Florida and Oklahoma are sending a strong message in defense of women’s rights and against policies that they believe endanger women and undermine parental authority.
