Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders boldly announced on Thursday that the state will not adhere to a federal regulation aimed at safeguarding the rights of transgender students in schools across the nation. In doing so, Arkansas aligns itself with other Republican-led states that are also challenging these new guidelines.
According to an executive order signed by Sanders, Arkansas schools will be required to uphold existing restrictions on bathroom usage and pronoun usage for transgender students. These laws may potentially be rendered invalid by the newly implemented regulations regarding the enforcement of Title IX.
Sanders made it clear at a press conference held at the state Capitol that he and his supporters will not comply with Joe Biden and the federal government’s directives.
The recently finalized regulation aims to provide clarification on Title IX, a significant law enacted in 1972 to combat sex discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funding. This law, originally designed to protect women’s rights, now extends its reach to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories. Sanders argues that these revisions represent a complete reinterpretation of the law.
Several other states, including Texas and Oklahoma, have also instructed schools to disregard the new regulation, mirroring Sanders’ order. In addition, lawsuits have been filed in federal courts in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Kentucky to challenge the rule. The various legal challenges increase the likelihood that one of them will temporarily halt the implementation of the regulation across the entire country.
Sanders has issued an order in response to Arkansas’ recent actions to limit the rights of transgender youth. The state is currently appealing a judge’s ruling that deemed their ban on gender-affirming care for minors unconstitutional. Additionally, a lawsuit has been filed against the state by a group of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals following their decision to discontinue the option of choosing “X” instead of male or female on driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Megan Bailey, spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, expressed strong opposition to the act, stating that it blatantly disregards anti-discrimination laws and represents a forceful assault on the rights and liberties of LGBTQ individuals in our state.
Sanders has issued an order to the state education department, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Arkansas law. The order specifically addresses laws related to bathrooms, pronouns, and restrictions on transgender athletes’ participation in certain sports teams. While the Biden administration has implemented rules to protect against sex-based discrimination, they have not provided specific guidance on the inclusion of transgender athletes. Sanders’ order emphasizes the need to respect and follow existing state laws.
Brandon Wolf, the senior director of political communications and national press secretary for the LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign, cautioned that if the state continues to refuse compliance, it could face severe consequences, such as a substantial loss in funding.
In a statement, Wolf criticized those individuals who prioritize their own political profiles and personal interests, emphasizing that they seem willing to make sacrifices.
