Biden protections for transgender students struck down by US judge

Jan 9 (Reuters) - A federal judge in Kentucky on Thursday struck down a Biden administration rule barring discrimination by schools and colleges against transgender students, saying it clashes with the federal law banning sex bias in education.

U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves in Lexington agreed, opens new tab with six Republican-led states that while the law, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, permits sex-specific bathrooms, dorms and other facilities, the U.S. Department of Education rule improperly bans any distinctions based on sex.

Title IX prohibits discrimination "on the basis of sex" in federally-funded educational programs.

"Expanding the meaning of 'on the basis of sex' to include 'gender identity' turns Title IX on its head," wrote Reeves, an appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush.

Critics of the rule have said it would require schools to allow transgender students who were born male to use women's restrooms and locker rooms at schools.

Reeves also said the rule would violate the free s...
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