The U.S. Department of Education under President Donald Trump announced on Monday the reversal of Title IX regulations introduced during the Biden administration that expanded protections related to sexual orientation and gender identity in federally funded educational institutions. The move also rescinds changes that had broadened the definition of sexual harassment, which required schools and universities to investigate a wider range of complaints.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the updated Title IX rules now better align with court rulings and congressional intent, aiming to reduce confusion among parents, students, and educational institutions.

Originally enacted in 1972, Title IX is a federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. The regulations implemented under the Biden administration had extended the scope of Title IX protections to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity, reflecting broader interpretations of sex discrimination.

The Trump administration’s decision reverses these expansions, returning to a more traditional interpretation of Title IX provisions focused on biological sex. Advocates for the Biden-era rules argued that the broader protections were necessary to create inclusive and safe environments for all students, while critics of the expanded rules contended they exceeded the original intent of the law and imposed burdensome requirements on educational institutions.

With this rollback, the Department of Education signals a shift in federal policy regarding civil rights in education, emphasizing adherence to previous legal frameworks and congressional directives. The impact of this change is expected to influence how schools address complaints related to gender identity and sexual harassment going forward.