Category: Title IX

Schools Urged to Update Parental Notification Policies to Curb Rash of Suicides Among Transgender Students

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date October 7, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Schools Urged to Update Parental Notification Policies to Curb Rash of Suicides Among Transgender Students

WASHINGTON / October 10, 2023 – On May 17, transgender student Kalie Nova Dunn left school, walked to the bridge spanning I-293 in Manchester, New Hampshire, and leapt to his untimely death (1). The tragic demise of Nova Dunn, 14 years old, underscored the broader issues of transgenderism in four ways:

Suicide Epidemic: The death of Dunn highlights reports of dramatically increased risk of suicide attempts and deaths among transgender individuals. These are two of many studies:

A large study in Denmark found that trans-identified persons had a rate of suicide deaths 3.5 times higher than among the overall population (2).
The Trevor Project revealed that one in four Black transgender and nonbinary young people in the U.S. reported a suicide attempt in the past year (3).

Mental Health Causes: Dunn had long been battling serious depression. Research shows most minors referred to gender clinics are teenagers with “no history of gender-related distress before puberty and with at least one psychiatric diagnosis.” (4)

Indeed, the nation’s leading LGBT groups have long recognized the key role of mental health problems. The 2017 report, Talking About Suicide and LGBT Populations, affirmed, “Suicide deaths are almost always the result of multiple overlapping causes, including mental health issues that might not have been recognized or treated.” (5)

False Media Narratives: Several media accounts claimed that Dunn had been a victim of “bullying” and “transphobia.” One headline stated flatly, “Bullied Transgender Youth Dies by Suicide in N.H.” The article went on to claim, “Multiple sources alleged that bullying and transphobia factored into the death of the teen.” (6)

But these “multiple sources” turned out to be members of transgender advocacy groups, not persons with any direct knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Dunn’s death. Indeed, the Washington Blade reporter cautioned readers that he had been “unable to verify any of those claims.”

Parental Secrecy Policies: Currently, 1,045 school districts across the country have policies stating personnel can or should keep a student’s transgender status hidden from parents (7). One of those districts is the Manchester, NH School District. The district’s policy on Transgender and Gender Non-Confirming Students states, “School personnel should not disclose information that may reveal a student’s transgender status or gender nonconforming presentation to others [including parents] unless legally required to do so or unless the student has authorized such disclosure.” (8)

But these policies are being challenged. Last week, a federal judge issued a ruling against a Wisconsin school district that had enacted a parental secrecy policy. Judge Michael Maxwell opined,

“This Court has before it what modern society deems a controversial issue – transgenderism involving minors within our schools… However, this particular case is not about that broad controversial issue. This particular case is simply whether a school district can supplant a parent’s right to control the healthcare and medical decisions for their children. The well-established case law in that regard is clear – Kettle Moraine cannot.” (9)

Given the legal and mortal dangers of depriving gender-confused children of the emotional support of their parents, SAVE urges schools across the nation to review and update their parental notification policies.

Citations:

Title IX

Second Republican Presidential Debate Addresses Title IX Issues

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date October 5, 2023

Second Republican Presidential Debate Addresses Title IX Issues

By Betsy Armstrong

October 5, 2023

The second presidential debate was held on September 27, 2023. There were 33 questions over a two-hour period between three moderators and seven candidates. The questions and answers pertaining to Title IX focused on transgenderism, parental rights, and discrimination.

Question # 18 came early in the second hour of the debate, posed by Dana Perrino, a Fox News host, to businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, then also asked of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. The question concerned the 10.7 million students in over one thousand public schools nationwide that have the ability to change their identity without parental notification. Would the candidates pass a federal law to protect parental rights?

Mr. Ramaswamy’s remarks were blunt and to the point: “Transgenderism, especially in kids, is a mental health disorder. We have to acknowledge the truth of that for what it is. … Parents have the right to know. … The very people who claim that this increases the risk of suicide, are also the ones saying parents don’t have the right to know about that increased risk of suicide. And I’m sorry, it is not compassionate to affirm a kid’s confusion. That is not compassion, that is cruelty. … I will ban genital mutilation or chemical castration. … states absolutely have to follow through to stand for parental rights, yes.

Gov. Burgum’s remarks strayed away from the question after his initial answer: “I think that this is a states’ issue … There are certain things that government is supposed to do. It’s not the Department of Education that needs to be assembled, we’ve got to move it back to the states.”

Question 19 was asked by Univision anchor Ilia Calderón of Vice President Pence that in light of the Department of Homeland Security warnings that violence against LGBTQ+ people is on the rise and intensifying, how would he protect those communities from violent attacks and discrimination?

Vice President Pence answered: “I’ll stand up for the safety and civil liberties of every American from every background. … the Linn-Mar schools in Iowa had a policy where you had to have a permission slip from your parents to get a Tylenol but you could get a gender transition plan without notifying your parents. … That’s not bad policy, that’s crazy. We’re going to stand up for the rights of parents and we’re going to pass a federal ban on transgender chemical or surgical/surgery anywhere in the country. We’ve got to protect our kids from this radical gender ideology agenda.”

Department of Education Due Process False Allegations Free Speech Gender Identity Office for Civil Rights Press Release Title IX

Candidates Are Invited to Sign ‘Pledge to Protect Schools, Children, and Families from Federal Title IX Plan’

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date October 5, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Email: info@saveservices.org

Candidates Are Invited to Sign ‘Pledge to Protect Schools, Children, and Families from Federal Title IX Plan’

WASHINGTON / October 5, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Education is proposing to redefine the meaning of sex to include “gender identity” as part of the Title IX law (1). This change would have transformative effects on schools, children, families, and American society at large (2).

In response, SAVE is inviting candidates for federal, state, or local office to sign a “Candidate Pledge to Protect Schools, Children, and Families from the Federal Title IX Plan.” The Pledge states,

When elected to office, I pledge to work to assure that:

Schools and other organizations shall utilize the traditional binary definition of “sex.”
Schools shall obtain prior consent from parents for any use of gender pronouns, or gender-dysphoria counseling or treatments.
Parents shall have the right to examine and opt their children out of any school curricula dealing with sexuality and gender identity.
Schools shall only allow biological females to participate in women’s sports, enter women’s locker rooms, and use women’s bathrooms.
Schools shall adhere to Constitutional due process procedures to protect falsely accused males from Title IX complaints.
Schools and other institutions shall fully uphold Constitutional free speech guarantees.

The Candidate Pledge can be viewed online (3). Candidates can indicate their support for the Pledge by sending a confirmatory email to: rthompson@saveservices.org

Even though the Pledge was not publicly announced until October 5, lawmakers in Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia already have signed on to the statement (4).

The Biden Title IX proposal has faced stiff criticism from numerous federal and state lawmakers and attorneys general (5). In addition, five Republican presidential candidates are now calling for the abolition of the Department of Education (6).

Candidates for school boards also are invited to sign the Pledge. At last count, 1,045 school districts around the country have implemented policies stating that school personnel can or should keep a student’s transgender status hidden from parents (7).

Candidates are welcome to display the signed Pledge on their campaign websites and at campaign events.

Citations:

Department of Education Gender Agenda Gender Identity Office for Civil Rights Press Release Title IX

LGBTQ Advocates Push Back Against Biden Title IX Plan

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date October 1, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Email: info@saveservices.org

LGBTQ Advocates Push Back Against Biden Title IX Plan

WASHINGTON / October 2, 2023 – The Biden Department of Education is expected to miss its self-imposed October deadline to issue a new Title IX regulation (1). The proposal has faced stiff opposition from lawmakers, state attorneys general, and presidential candidates (2).

Now, a growing number of LGBTQ advocates are criticizing the plan, as well:

LGBTQ Activists: Leading LGBTQ advocate Alejandra Caraballo complained, “Honestly, this move by Biden to push a rule on trans kids in sports is not only a backwards betrayal, it forces us to have to spend our time dealing with sports instead of criminal bans on our healthcare.” (3)

Gays Against Groomers: Sporting 17 chapters nationwide, Gays Against Groomers has become a strong voice of opposition to the Biden plan (4). At a September 21 SAVE press conference, Brady Oehler, leader of the group’s D.C. chapter, explained, “Gays Against Groomers does not advocate against adults who have gender dysphoria, but advocates for the protection of children, and to be a voice for the voiceless…If you truly care and want to support those that need guidance, you will not take our youth and use them to push a gender ideology.” (5)

Expert Witness: The most detailed criticism was voiced by Dr. Erica E. Anderson, a psychologist and transgender woman. Testifying in a recent lawsuit before the US District Court of Southern California, Anderson explained:

“A child or adolescent who exhibits a desire to change name and pronouns should receive a careful professional assessment prior to transitioning…Parental involvement is necessary to obtain professional assistance for a child or adolescent experiencing gender incongruence.”

Anderson concluded, “a social transition represents one of the most difficult psychological changes a person can experience. [And] embarking upon a social transition based solely upon the self-attestation of the youth without consultation with parents and appropriate professionals is unwise.”

Apparently swayed by this testimony, Judge Roger Benitez ruled on September 14 against the parental secrecy policy of the Escondido Union School District (6).

Detransitioners: Detransitioners are speaking out against gender dysphoria treatments for minors, as well (7). At a recent Congressional hearing, Chloe Cole described the gender transitioning of youth as “one of the biggest medical scandals in the history of the United States of America,” and issued a heart-felt plea to lawmakers to “bring the scandal to an end.” (8)

These developments have compelled 59 organizations to call for the resignation of DOE Office for Civil Rights director Catherine Lhamon (9).

The recent rise of the movement to promote gender transitioning can be attributed to a nihilistic philosophy known as“anti-humanism.” Proponent Patricia MacCormack explains, “The death of the human species is the most life-affirming event that could liberate the natural world from oppression.” (10)

Over a decade ago, anti-humanism began to infiltrate Leftist ideology, particularly the environmental movement (11). Anti-humanism is now evident in radical proposals to decimate livestock and curtail agricultural production (12).

Now, anti-humanism is targeting vulnerable children and youth so they no longer have the capacity to reproduce.

Citations:

Department of Education Title IX

Gays Against Groomers Speaks Out on Biden Title IX Plan

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date September 28, 2023

Campus Department of Education Due Process Office for Civil Rights Press Release Title IX

Presidential Candidates — Republican and Democratic — Denounce Biden Title IX Plan

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date September 25, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Email: info@saveservices.org

Presidential Candidates — Republican and Democratic — Denounce Biden Title IX Plan

WASHINGTON / September 25, 2023 – The Biden Department of Education released a proposed Title IX regulation in 2022 that would redefine sex to include “gender identity.” (1) The proposal has faced strong criticism from lawmakers, attorneys general, and others (2).

A number of presidential candidates, Republican and Democratic, have spoken out against the Biden plan, as well:

Ron DeSantis: DeSantis called Biden “off his rocker” over the Title IX proposal, vowing his administration will be “fighting on that.” (3) In 2021, Gov. DeSantis signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which prohibits biological male students from participating in women’s sports (4).

Robert Kennedy: “I am against people participating in women’s sports who are biologically male. I think women have worked too hard to develop women’s sports over the past 30 years, I watched it happen, and I don’t think that’s fair.” (5)

Mike Pence: Pence has promised to “Eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and convert some of its current budget to grants to states and localities, providing maximum flexibility in how to deploy federal dollars.” (6)

Vivek Ramaswamy: “The U.S. Dept of Education strikes again – now saying local schools can’t stop boys from competing in girls’ sports. It’s appalling that we spend *$83 billion per year* on this toxic agency. It’s rotten waste. That’s why I’ll shut it down without apology.” (7)

Tim Scott: In 2022, Scott introduced the Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their Kids Act, which would bar schools from allowing a student to use a different name, pronoun, restroom or locker room without the knowledge of their parents (8).

Donald Trump: “On Day One, I will revoke Joe Biden’s cruel policies on so-called ‘gender-affirming care,’…we will promote positive education about the nuclear family…I will ask Congress to pass a bill establishing that the only genders recognized by the U.S. government are male and female…the bill will also make clear that Title IX prohibits men from participating in women’s sports.” (9)

The Title IX Network was formed in 2022 to oppose the Biden Title IX proposal, and now consists of 217 organizations working at the national, state, and local levels (10).

Last week, 59 member organizations called for the resignation of Assistant Education Secretary Catherine Lhamon for violations of her Oath of Office in connection with her efforts to change Title IX. The Statement was released at a press conference held in Washington, DC (11).

Lawmakers and others who support the resignation of Catherine Lhamon should express their concerns directly to the Department of Education: alejandro.reyes@ed.gov

Citations:

Civil Rights Department of Education Due Process Free Speech Gender Agenda Office for Civil Rights Press Release Sexual Harassment Title IX

59 Groups Call for Assistant Education Secretary Catherine Lhamon to Resign for Violating Oath of Office

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date September 20, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Email: info@saveservices.org

59 Groups Call for Assistant Education Secretary Catherine Lhamon to Resign for Violating Oath of Office

WASHINGTON / September 21, 2023 – Fifty-nine organizations today are calling for the resignation of Assistant Education Secretary Catherine Lhamon for repeated violations of her Oath of Office. The Statement was released at a press conference held today in Washington, DC.

When Lhamon became a federal employee, she took this Oath of Office: “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”

Unfortunately, in the process of developing a new Title IX regulation (1), Lhamon has broken three key provisions of the U.S. Constitution:

Article 1, Section 1: Authorization of Congress to exercise “All legislative Powers.”

Congress passed Title IX in 1972 with the understanding that Title IX was designed to apply to the male and female sexes (2). Title IX was not intended to include protections on the basis of gender identity. Lhamon’s proposed Title IX regulation would change the definition of “sex,” representing a dramatic usurpation of Congressional authority.

First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech.”

In Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, the Supreme Court defined sexual harassment as conduct that is “severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive.” (3)

But the Department of Education’s proposed regulation rejects the Supreme Court’s definition of sexual harassment, proposing that speech would only need to be “pervasive” or “severe” to violate Title IX. One federal court has ruled such a definition to be “staggeringly broad.” (4)

Fourteenth Amendment: No State shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Dozens of federal courts have affirmed a series of due process rights for college students, including the rights to an impartial investigation, elimination of pro-complainant bias, notice to the accused, cross examination, access to evidence, and evaluation of evidence (5).

But Lhamon’s proposed regulation would severely weaken or eliminate the following due process protections for students accused of a Title IX infraction:

Independent and impartial investigations
Unrestricted access to evidence
Right to a live hearing and cross-examination

For these reasons, 59 organizations have endorsed a Statement calling for Lhamon’s immediate resignation from office (6).

Citations:

Campus Civil Rights Department of Education Due Process Free Speech Gender Agenda Office for Civil Rights Press Release Sexual Harassment Title IX

In the Face of Overwhelming Opposition, DOE Backs Away from Controversial Title IX Plan

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date August 31, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Email: info@saveservices.org

In the Face of Overwhelming Opposition, DOE Backs Away from Controversial Title IX Plan

WASHINGTON / August 31, 2023 – Responding to growing criticisms from many sectors of society, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) reportedly is delaying the release of its controversial Title IX regulation until 2024 or later. A Higher Ed Dive article confirmed that the DOE “hasn’t even sent its regulatory plans to the Office of Management and Budget, which can take up to 120 days to review them.” (1)

The Title IX regulation would have had far-reaching effects on campus due process, free speech, women’s sports, parental rights, and gender transitioning among underage students.

Opposition to the policy has come from many directions:

Public Opinion Polls: Public opinion polls have consistently shown that most Americans oppose the proposed changes to Title IX, the law that was enacted to curb sex discrimination in schools (2). A recent NPR/Ipsos poll reports that 63% of Americans oppose allowing biological males to compete on women’s and girls’ sports teams (3).

Lawsuits Against the DOE: On June 14, 2023 the Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of Education’s Title IX guidance as an illegal effort to force schools to adopt transgender ideology (4). The Texas lawsuit was the fifth such lawsuit filed against the Biden Administration for its Title IX-related proposals (5).

Calls for Abolition: Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswany, and Tim Scott have issued calls for the abolition of the DOE (6). Forty-seven state lawmakers have made similar calls (6).

Criticism from Liberals: The liberal Gays Against Groomers has been one of the most vocal critics of the transgender movement. On August 22, Gays Against Groomers posted a tweet saying, “Norway, Finland, Sweden, Holland and the UK have now BANNED gender transition surgeries and drugs for minors. WHEN WILL THE UNITED STATES CATCH UP?!” (7)

Legislation: Numerous bills were introduced and laws enacted to counter the effects of the proposed Title IX regulation:

Thus far, 134 bills designed to restrict transgender treatments for underage children have been introduced in states around the country (8).
Laws designed to protect women’s sports were enacted in Alabama, Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (9).
On June 16, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill to codify parental rights as fundamental, making Alabama the 18th state in the nation to formalize this protection (10).

Due Process Victories: Falsely accused male students continue to win due process lawsuits against their former universities (11). On August 22, an Oregon jury awarded the largest jury verdict ever — nearly $4 million — to a man wrongfully accused of a Title IX offense (12).

The proposed Title IX regulation re-defined the meaning of the Constitution, especially the First and Fourteenth Amendments; usurped Congressional responsibility by seeking to change the definition of sex to include “gender identity;” and negated the Supreme Court’s Davis v. Monroe definition of sexual harassment (13).

Currently, 217 national, state, and local groups belong to the Title IX Network, which stands in principled opposition to the DOE’s proposed changes to the Title IX law (14). Organizations wishing to join the Title IX Network should contact Robert Thompson at rthompson@saveservices.org

Links:

Department of Education Title IX

Growing Number of State Lawmakers Call for Abolition of Department of Education

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date August 3, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Email: info@saveservices.org

Growing Number of State Lawmakers Call for Abolition of Department of Education

WASHINGTON / August 4, 2023 – Sixteen state lawmakers have signed on in support of a national campaign to abolish (or “overhaul”) the Department of Education, if the Biden Administration moves forward to release its proposed Title IX regulation.

The Department of Education’s proposed Title IX regulations, which are scheduled to be released in October, would change the definition of “sex” to include “gender Identity.” The proposed regulations also would harm women’s sports, promote gender transitioning among young children without parental consent, infringe on free speech, and remove due process protections for men who have been falsely accused.

The following 16 state lawmakers, listed on SAVE’s website, are calling for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education: [1]

Rep. Susan DuBose (AL- 45)
Rep. Michael Ramone (DE-21)
Rep. Tina Lambert (ID-23)
Rep. Bill Rhiley (KS-80)
Rep. Brett Fairchild (KS-113)
Rep. Chris Sander (MO-33)
Rep. Tom Mannion (NH-Hillsborough-1)
Rep. Travis Corcoran (NH-Hillsborough-44)
Rep. David Love (NH-Rockingham-13)
Rep. Mark A. Pearson (NH-Rockingham-34)
Rep. Michael Granger (NH-Strafford-2)
Rep. Walter Stapleton (NH-Sullivan-6)
Rep. Josiah Magnuson (SC-38)
Rep. Jay Kilmartin (SC-85)
Rep. Monty Fritts (TN-32)
Delegate Dave LaRock (VA-33)

In addition, four Presidential candidates have called for the abolition of the Department of Education:

Ron DeSantis: In response to the question, are you in favor of eliminating any agencies: “We would do education, commerce, energy, and the IRS….With the Department of Education, we reverse all the transgender sports stuff. Women’s sports should be protected.”
Mike Pence: “Eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and convert some of its current budget to grants to states and localities, providing maximum flexibility in how to deploy federal dollars.”
Vivek Ramaswamy: “I would shut down the U.S. Department of Education…Do I favor 6-year-olds being educated on sexuality and gender ideology? No, I don’t.”
Tim Scott: “The federal government has absolutely no role in our education system whatsoever. So, let’s get them out and let’s abolish the Department of Education.”

Also, dozens of Members of Congress have come out in opposition to the Biden administration’s Department of Education’s proposed Title IX regulations or made similar requests.

State lawmakers who would like to add their name to this growing list should contact Bob Thompson, Outreach and Coalitions Manager, SAVE at rthompson@saveservices.org

Links:

1. https://www.saveservices.org/2022-policy/attorneys-general-and-lawmakers/

Department of Education Title IX

Growing Number of State Lawmakers Call for the Abolition of the Department of Education

Post author By Edward Bartlett
Post date August 3, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Rebecca Hain: 513-479-3335

Email: info@saveservices.org

Growing Number of State Lawmakers Call for Abolition of Department of Education

WASHINGTON / August 3, 2023 – Sixteen state lawmakers have signed on in support of a national campaign to abolish (or “overhaul”) the Department of Education, if the Biden Administration moves forward to release its proposed Title IX regulation.

The following 16 state lawmakers, listed on SAVE’s website, are calling for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education: [1]

Rep. Susan DuBose (AL- 45)
Rep. Michael Ramone (DE-21)
Rep. Tina Lambert (ID-23)
Rep. Bill Rhiley (KS-80)
Rep. Brett Fairchild (KS-113)
Rep. Chris Sander (MO-33)
Rep. Tom Mannion (NH-Hillsborough-1)
Rep. Travis Corcoran (NH-Hillsborough-44)
Rep. David Love (NH-Rockingham-13)
Rep. Mark A. Pearson (NH-Rockingham-34)
Rep. Michael Granger (NH-Strafford-2)
Rep. Walter Stapleton (NH-Sullivan-6)
Rep. Josiah Magnuson (SC-38)
Rep. Jay Kilmartin (SC-85)
Rep. Monty Fritts (TN-32)
Delegate Dave LaRock (VA-33)

In addition, four Presidential candidates have called for the abolition of the Department of Education:

Ron DeSantis: In response to the question, are you in favor of eliminating any agencies: “We would do education, commerce, energy, and the IRS….With the Department of Education, we reverse all the transgender sports stuff. Women’s sports should be protected.”
Mike Pence: “Eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and convert some of its current budget to grants to states and localities, providing maximum flexibility in how to deploy federal dollars.”
Vivek Ramaswamy: “I would shut down the U.S. Department of Education…Do I favor 6-year-olds being educated on sexuality and gender ideology? No, I don’t.”
Tim Scott: “The federal government has absolutely no role in our education system whatsoever. So, let’s get them out and let’s abolish the Department of Education.”

Also, dozens of Members of Congress have come out in opposition to the Biden administration’s Department of Education’s proposed Title IX regulations or made similar requests.

State lawmakers who like to add their name to this growing list should contact Bob Thompson, Outreach and Coalitions Manager, SAVE at rthompson@saveservices.org

Links:

1. https://www.saveservices.org/2022-policy/attorneys-general-and-lawmakers/