North Dakota joins lawsuit against Biden Administration over rule change to Title IX

(Bismarck, ND) -- North Dakota and several other states are suing the federal government following a ruling from the Biden administration, which would pull funding from schools and other organizations if they do not allow transgender people on gendered sports teams. 

The discussion surrounds changes to Title IX, which ensures fairness, safety, equality, and protection against sex-based discrimination across the United States. The Biden Administration added protections for people based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex characteristics. The rule change is now the subject of a lawsuit, as several states have joined together to strike down the new interpretation.

"Now the Biden administration thought they could just change it on their own, they could give any congressional action to change the entire meaning of it," said Drew Wrigley, The ND Attorney General. "They've gutted the promise of Title IX and now the Attorney's General are joining forces to push back."

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley spoke to the Flag's What's on your Mind. He says states can respect people's identities and the integrity of the current rules in sports across the country. 

"I don't think it's that complicated; respect people's decisions and respect their humanity, but insist also we can have - there are societies that don't have gender specific bathrooms, we are not one of them".

The announcement drew push back from the North Dakota American Civil Liberties Union, which condemned the action.

"If our elected leaders really wanted to protect and promote opportunities for girls and women in education and sports, they would be tackling and addressing the real problems, such as severe underfunding, lack of media coverage, sexist ideologies that suggest that women and girls are weak, and pay equity for coaches and players," said ACLU Advocacy Manager Cody Schuler in a statement, "Trans students participate in sports for the same reasons other young people do: to challenge themselves, improve fitness and be part of a team. Transgender youth in North Dakota deserve all of the benefits that come with participating in sports. They also deserve joy, opportunity and protection, not more bullying from our elected officials.”

You can read the enacted changes to Title IX by clicking here.