Horne praises federal judge’s ruling scrapping Biden Title IX changes

Proposed changes threatened safety of girls

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne says today’s ruling by a federal judge striking down proposed Biden administration changes to Title IX is sensible and protects the dignity of girls and women competing in interscholastic sports. It is also a victory for common sense and free speech.

Last summer, Horne issued a letter to schools urging them to get legal advice before implementing the proposed new regulations. He cited a Louisiana federal court ruling that outlined how the proposal “…requires students to be allowed access to bathrooms and locker rooms based on the gender identity [chosen, not at birth] requires schools to use whatever pronouns the student requests; and imposes additional requirements that will result in substantial costs to the school.” Today’s ruling striking down the changes noted that the proposed requirement regarding use of pronouns violates free speech.

Horne added, “In the past I’ve been asked by districts, as a policy matter, about their consideration of rules, permitting biological boys who have male genitalia being allowed in girls’ bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers. My response was that there should be unisex bathrooms available, and if there was no room for them, the faculty bathroom should be used for that purpose. That would preserve the dignity of biological boys who identify as girls. But if they were allowed in girls’ facilities, I thought parents might well remove the girls from the school and send them to another district, charter school, or private school. So, this rule could have significantly injured public education and today’s judicial decision is a victory for common sense and free speech.”