Center: Betsy DeVos; 5th from left: John Van Der Brink during a US-NL Education meeting with Secr. Betsy DeVos 28 Oct 2019
By John Van Der Brink
- What is a Title IX?
Title IX is a civil rights law that bans sex discrimination against students, employees and others at public schools, colleges and universities that receive federal funding. Violators can be prosecuted for any acts that provide favorable treatment to some or exclude from participation on the basis of sex. Today it has become a powerful tool used to introduce and promote many immoral practices in our nation’s schools and in society.
- What is the history of Title IX?
It started out in the 1970s as legislation that provided women equal access to college admissions and to certain sports competitions. Since then, it has mushroomed into many areas including laws related to sexual harassment and violence, especially on college campuses. More recently, it has been used to carve out a place to protect and promote sexual orientation and gender identity. Currently it is used as a political football with Democrats trying to enlarge its definitions to promote a liberal ideology, while Republicans are trying to restrict its impact somewhat.
- What position regarding Title IX did former Secretary of Education Betsy de Vos take under the Trump administration?
She saw that Title IX was being used as a convenient weapon to accuse and prosecute many people who were accused of sexual harassment. By restricting the definition of harassment, many of the bogus cases of the past were avoided. This was interpreted by the Left as an attempt to provide legal discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
- What did the Biden administration do in regard to Title IX in April, 2024?
It redefined and rolled back some of the reforms of the Trump administration. Specifically, it redefined sex to include issues related to gender identity, sexual identity, and sexual orientation. Teachers now are afraid of lawsuits for calling students by their biological gender or their real pronouns. These alternate lifestyles are now being celebrated instead in our nation’s school. This has resulted in redefining discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation.
- What is the legislative status of Title IX today?
It has become a political football for and against a liberalizing/conservatizing influence in our schools and culture. Trump and Harris are on the opposite ends of this spectrum. The direction of Title IX and the gender issues it is related to is dependent on who gets elected in November.
- Are Christian schools affected by Title IX?
So far, Title IX controls only those colleges, and public schools that receive government funding. If a school that does not receive government funding, it is exempt from the ruling of Title IX provided the religious teaching of the school contradicts Title IX protections. But with the progressive trends promoted by the Harris campaign, those protections are likely to be challenged. Elections matter – they have a trickle affect which reach into every corner of our society.
John Van Der Brink, director of the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, and a member of the Board of Directors of Christian Council International (CCI)
