An investigation conducted by the Department of Education, initiated in the early days of the Trump presidency, has concluded that the bathroom and locker room policies currently in place in five Northern Virginia school districts violate Title IX federal law. This law and an accompanying executive order call for the cessation of ‘radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling.’
Secretary Linda McMahon disclosed on Friday to Washington, D.C., ABC affiliate WJLA that the districts’ protocols, which permit students to utilize facilities congruent with their gender identity rather than their birth sex, are purportedly causing discomfort for female students. “They don’t want to sit there and have boys watch them undress, or to have boys undress in front of them,” McMahon expressed, emphasizing that these policies are affecting young men and women in high school settings.
The districts implicated in this matter include Alexandria City Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools, Prince William County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Loudoun County Public Schools. As of now, none of these institutions has provided commentary on the investigation’s findings.
McMahon has stated that her department will grant the districts a ten-day period to revise their policies. Should they fail to do so, she plans to present the issue to the U.S. Department of Justice. “We mean business about this,” she asserted, stressing the paramount importance of Title IX. “It’s the law. And so we need to abide by the law.”
McMahon also mentioned that should the five districts choose not to amend their policies, the federal government possesses the authority to halt their federal funding.
America First Legal lodged the complaint that triggered the investigation. This complaint included WJLA’s reportage on allegations that a registered sex offender, who identified as transgender, was granted access to the women’s locker room at two high schools in the Arlington Public Schools district. The suspect is alleged to have exposed himself to girls and women.
McMahon emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing it as flying in the face of common sense and potentially hazardous. She argued, “It’s patently wrong, it’s dangerous, and it has to be stopped.”
This investigation raises important questions about the interpretation and application of Title IX, the rights and safety of students, and the role of educational institutions in enforcing federal laws.
