Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican) stated on Thursday that his state will refuse to follow the new Title IX changes introduced by the Biden administration.
“Florida disagrees with [President Biden’s] effort to alter Title IX,” DeSantis explained in a video uploaded on the social platform X. “We will not comply, and we will resist.”
“We will not allow Joe Biden to include men in women’s activities,” DeSantis added. “We will not allow Joe Biden to undermine parents' rights, and we will not allow Joe Biden to misuse his constitutional authority to impose these policies on us here in Florida.”
The Biden administration revealed a final set of revisions to Title IX that include safeguards for transgender students in the federal civil rights law on sex-based discrimination. The modifications will become effective in early August.
“These ultimate rules build upon the principles of Title IX by clarifying that all students in our nation can attend schools that are secure, inviting, and respect their rights,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stated in a release.
DeSantis has faced criticism from LGBTQ advocates previously due to state laws that they say damage their community, including the so-called Don’t Say Gay law that limits discussion on LGBTQ topics in Florida public schools.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ advocacy organization in the nation, collaborated with a Florida LGBTQ advocacy group last year to release a warning against traveling to Florida.
“Overall, Florida's collection of laws and policies targeting essential freedoms and rights significantly endanger the health and safety of those contemplating a move or temporary visit to the state,” the HRC and Equality Florida's travel advisory noted.
The Hill has contacted Equality Florida, the Florida Department of Education, the White House, and the Department of Education.
