Governments in Oklahoma and Florida are directing schools not to comply with President Biden's Title IX policy changes.
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Thursday morning that he has directed schools in the state not to comply with the Biden administration's Title IX changes, which include gender identity protections.
“We're going to fight Joe Biden every day to keep this social Marxism out of Oklahoma,” Walters told Fox News Digital. “Now is the time for states to stand up against the federal government's assault on girls.”
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President Biden speaks during a campaign event at Hillsboro Community College's Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa, Florida. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
In a letter sent to state school leaders this week, Walters expressed “serious concerns about the legality of these rule changes, particularly as they relate to the redefinition of 'sex' in our society.” He said he consulted with several other state education leaders and legal advisors. Including gender identity. ”
In his announcement, Walters said he expected legal challenges to the Title IX changes in the coming days and called on schools to hold off on implementing the changes until the issues were resolved.
“Do not change school district policies based on the new Title IX regulations,” Walters instructed the state’s educators. “These federal rule changes are illegal, and changing policy before the courts have made a final ruling on the legality of these rules would prevent your district from following other current lawful state and federal laws. You may not be able to comply.”
Republican lawmakers slam Bidin administration's new Title IX 'gender identity' protections
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. expressed similar opposition Wednesday to Title IX changes, calling the new guidelines ridiculous.
Diaz previously said, “The Biden administration has destroyed this law beyond recognition in order to gaslight the country that biological sex no longer has meaning.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference in Sanford, Florida, April 8, 2024. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, also posted on social media: “This rule is a wish list for the far left, including illegally expanding the rule's reach beyond campuses and reducing due process protections.” hinted that a legal battle would begin. Students have been accused of cheating, kangaroo courts have been strengthened, and “sex discrimination” has been separated from biological sex. ”
The Biden administration announced new rules last week to address concerns expressed by LGBTQ+ groups regarding gender identity protections.
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Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the new Title IX rules “make clear that everyone should have access to schools where they are safe, welcome and respect their rights.” (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
The new regulations include expanding the definition of sex discrimination to include both sexual orientation and gender identity, and the presidential administration has touted it as a protection for LGBT students.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said, “No one should face bullying or discrimination just because of who they are or who they love.” “Unfortunately, things like this happen all too often.”
The announced rule changes also roll back regulations established by President Trump's former education secretary, Betsy DeVos, to ensure due process for defendants.
FOX News' Julia Johnson and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi or email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com.