The U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Linda McMahon has intensively enforced Title IX, focusing on Oregon and Virginia for their gender ideology policies. This action follows lawsuits from female athletes in Oregon and investigations into Virginia’s school districts, which are accused of violating Title IX, a law aimed at preventing sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding.
Oregon faces scrutiny following several incidents involving transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports, accompanied by lawsuits filed by athletes who claim their First Amendment rights were violated. Meanwhile, Virginia’s school districts have been found to have breached Title IX due to policies accommodating transgender students, which has led to potential legal action from the Department of Justice. Both states are being pressured to align with the Trump administration’s position on gender ideology and Title IX enforcement.
In Oregon, McMahon launched an investigation against the state’s Department of Education (ODE) after a high school sports season marked by multiple incidents involving trans athletes competing in girls’ sports, drawing public attention and leading to two lawsuits over the matter.