Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has firmly declared that his state will not adhere to the Title IX changes recently announced by the Biden administration. In a video shared on social media, DeSantis stated, “Florida rejects [President Biden’s] attempt to rewrite Title IX,” emphasizing that the state will resist and push back against these alterations.
DeSantis further asserted that Florida will not permit President Biden’s efforts to introduce men into women’s activities or undermine parental rights. He framed his opposition as a defense against what he perceived as federal overreach, vowing to challenge any attempts to impose these policies on Florida.
Ron DeSantis (Credits: Vanity Fair)
The Biden administration’s modifications to Title IX, designed to provide additional protections for transgender students, have been met with resistance from DeSantis. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona defended the changes, emphasizing their aim to ensure that all students can attend safe and welcoming schools.
This isn’t the first time DeSantis has clashed with LGBTQ advocates. His support for laws perceived as harmful to the LGBTQ community, such as the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law, has drawn criticism.
Last year, the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida issued a travel advisory against visiting Florida due to concerns over its LGBTQ-related legislation.
Brandon Wolf of the Human Rights Campaign criticized DeSantis and other politicians for opposing Title IX protections, accusing them of prioritizing political posturing over students’ well-being. He warned that the potential loss of federal funding for non-compliance could have consequences for Florida’s schools.
Equality Florida’s public policy director, Jon Harris Maurer, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of upholding federal protections for all students, including LGBTQ individuals.
Joe Biden (Credits: The New York Times)
The U.S. Department of Education reiterated the importance of complying with federal regulations, emphasizing that all federally funded schools must adhere to the final Title IX rules.
In response, Florida’s commissioner of education, Manny Diaz Jr., expressed strong opposition to the Title IX changes, accusing the Biden administration of distorting the statute and vowing to challenge the modifications.
As tensions escalate between Florida and the federal government over Title IX, the clash underscores broader debates over LGBTQ rights, federalism, and the limits of executive authority.
