Massachusetts Trans Political Coalition (MTPC) writes that 30 schools in Massachusetts have been included in a lawsuit filed by Moms for Liberty seeking to erase the rights and existence of transgender and nonbinary youth in schools. The lawsuit has halted implementation of new Title IX rules that would protect trans, nonbinary, and LGBQ youth and were supposed to go into effect in August 2024.
(Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that has removed many barriers that once prevented people, on the basis of sex, from participating in educational opportunities and careers of their choice.)
The new Title IX rules affirmed that “Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, transgender status, and other sex-based characteristic and stereotypes.” The lawsuit has resulted in temporary injunctions preventing implementation of the new Title IX rules in at least 26 states, including 30 schools in Massachusetts.
Transgender and nonbinary students are still protected in Massachusetts under state law. Their protection doesn’t depend on the new Title X rules whose implementation has been put on hold.
MTPC states, “If you, your children, or anyone you know experiences discrimination, abuse, bullying, or other attacks in your/their school or place of learning that are based on gender identity, presentation, or status, please reach out to us as soon as possible at info@masstpc.org.”
You can also view resources for schools, students, and families through the MA Safe Schools program, at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safe-schools-program-for-lgbtq-students.
