A federal appeals court has blocked the federal government’s expanded Title IX protections based on preferred gender identity from taking effect in four states, marking a win for those who argue that the new rules erode protections for women by, for example, allowing biological males who identify as women into women’s locker rooms.
In a 2–1 split decision on Aug. 22, the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion for an injunction pending appeal, writing in its opinion that the plaintiffs showed a strong chance of winning on the merits, potentially irreparable harm, and that the injunction aligns with the public interest.
