Title IX, the landmark 1972 civil rights law, prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding. It has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for women and girls in athletics, academics, and protection from sexual harassment and violence.
There are debates raging about how Title IX should be interpreted— and whether opportunities for women and girls are curtailed when men can identify into the women’s category. 23 states plus the District of Columbia allow males to compete in women’s sports, stealing team berths, medals and trophies and scholarship opportunities from hardworking female athletes.
There should be no debate about the intent of Title IX. It was never meant to allow for men who claim to be women to compete in women’s sports and enter women’s private spaces.
What is at risk with the warping of Title IX’s meaning is equality of opportunity for women and girls.
What is at stake are the hard-won gains in fairness, safety and opportunity for women and girls.
Are we a nation that prioritizes the feelings of boys over the rights of girls?
Do we value truth? Because there are only two sexes.
This week, two Supreme Court cases kick off that will answer these questions.
We stand firm in the fact that men cannot opt in to the category of women. And that Title IX belongs to women and girls.
