Title IX | National

Title IX is a landmark federal law passed in 1972. It prohibits sex discrimination in schools and education programs that receive federal funding. It has been – and will continue to be – vital to improving opportunities, fair treatment, and funding for girls and women. This law has also been instrumental in ensuring that all people, including LGBTQ+ students, have fair access to educational opportunities, regardless of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The Department of Education has formally restored the 2020 Title IX regulations issued under the first Trump administration. While federal administrations can issue regulations about how they are going to interpret federal laws, they cannot change the meaning of the law itself. It is important to understand that the Trump Administration’s decision to enforce the 2020 regulations does not mean LGBTQ+ students have lost their legal protections. The Department itself says this restoration does not change the substantive rules already in effect. 

LGBTQ+ students continue to have rights under federal and state law, including protections against sex-based harassment and discrimination. Title IX still prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which many courts have recognized to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Title IX still requires schools to provide LGBTQ+ students with equal educational opportunities and still gives students and parents the ability to assert their rights to a discrimination-free school environment. Learn more. 

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order attempting to make it the “policy of the United States to recognize two sexes” and intending to deny the rights of transgender people. He followed this with another order on January 29, 2025, threatening teachers who affirm and support students’ transgender identities. The clear purpose of these orders is to cause chaos, confusion, and fear. In the United States, Congress—not the President—writes laws, and the courts—not the President—interpret laws. The Executive Order does not change the rights of students under Title IX to a safe, supportive learning environment and a quality education.

All New England states have state laws protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ students in schools—including transgender students—as well as state agencies that investigate and enforce violations of those protections. The court order and Executive Order have no impact on state law protections and on students’ statutory rights under Title IX, nor do they change individuals’ rights to bring their own private enforcement actions.

GLAD Law maintains resources for LGBTQ+ students in New England. For more information about the laws in your state, visit our website:

• Connecticut
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• Vermont