Title IX

Title IX

Federal law also protects Minnesota trans students. Title IX prohibits discrimination in federally-funded public schools on the basis of "sex" (See: 20 USC § 1681). The term "sex" in federal law has increasingly been interpreted to encompass "gender roles" – in other words, enforcing gender roles constitutes sex discrimination. School districts which discriminate on the basis of a student's failure or refusal to adhere to gender role stereotypes, or which look the other way when such a student is harassed by others, face the potential of liability under federal law. The US Department of Education takes the position that Title IX in fact bars all discrimination against transgender students in federally-funded schools, which is explained in this policy letter and emerging practices guidebook. Our colleagues at the National LGBTQ Task Force have provided additional useful information here.