US Court Upholds Religious Schools Title IX Exemption

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

A federal court in Oregon on Thursday upheld a Title IX exception that permits religious universities to receive federal funding even if they follow religious beliefs regarding marriage, sexual identity, and gender.

A group of 40 LGBT individuals filed the 2021 lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to challenge an exception or loophole in Title IX that permits religious colleges to seek exemptions from the civil rights law’s restriction against sex-based discrimination.

Judge Ann Aiken from the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon found that the loophole is “one narrow exception” to Title IX designed by Congress to safeguard institutions controlled by a religious organization and avoid interfering with their convictions that may conflict with the regulations.

“Exempting religiously controlled educational institutions from Title IX—and only to the extent that a particular application of Title IX would not be consistent with a specific tenet of the controlling religious organization—is substantially related to the government’s objective of accommodating religious exercise,” Aiken wrote in her ruling (pdf).

The LGBT group, the Religious Exemption Accountability Project, the plaintiffs in the case, argued that the exemption violated the students’ equal protection rights under the U.S. Constitution by treating them differently than other students due to their sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Failed to Prove Discriminatory Intent

While the group made many claims of mistreatment at religious schools, the judge found that the group failed to prove any discriminatory motivation by Congress in enacting the Title IX exemption in question.

“The Court cannot conclude that Plaintiffs’ assertion that ‘Congress enacted the religious exemption to permit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity,’ is sufficient,” Aiken wrote.

Aiken, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, also rejected their argument that the exemption violated the First Amendment’s restriction on the establishment of religion by Congress, stating that they didn’t prove the federal government, in contrast to schools, advanced religions.

“Plaintiffs provide no developed analysis or facts to shed light on those assertions or explain how Defendants have advanced religion through their own activities and influence,” Aiken wrote.

The U.S. Department of Justice defended the exemption but agreed that it potentially violates Title IX.

The Religious Exemption Accountability Project said they were considering an appeal.

By Caden Pearson

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

CHARLIE KIRK, YOU WEREN’T PROVED WRONG

"I want to be remembered for courage for my faith,” Kirk had said in a podcast merely two months ago. May his courage spur us to be bolder in our faith.

Trump’s Proposal For NATO To Stop Buying Russian Oil & Start Tariffing China Is Unrealistic

Trump proposed on social media that NATO stop buying Russian oil and start tariffing China 50-100% as part of his plan for ending the Ukrainian Conflict.

The Choices We Make

Death and disagreement are inevitable. Love and hate are choices. We will all die. Before we do, what choices will we make?

Elon Musk Speaks at Unite the Kingdom Rally

Tommy Robinson held rally, with Elon Musk appearing virtually, calling attention to leftist politicians who allow foreign immigrants to invade England.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

Judge Rules Pro-Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil Should Be Deported

A U.S. judge ordered pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil deported after finding he omitted information on his green card application.

Charlie Kirk’s Widow, Erika, Named New CEO of Turning Point USA

Turning Point USA announced it named Erika Kirk as new CEO and board chair of Turning Point USA, which late husband, Charlie Kirk, co-founded.

Shares of Intel Increase 30 Percent on $5 Billion Nvidia Investment

Shares of Intel increased by about 30 percent at the opening bell after Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in the struggling chipmaker on Sept. 18.

Kennedy Lauds McDonald’s Initiative to Invest $200 Million in Regenerative Agriculture

HHS Sec. RFK Jr. announced McDonald’s will invest $200M over 7 years to advance sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices.

Trump, Starmer Seal Record $340 Billion ‘Tech Prosperity Deal’

President Trump and British PM Keir Starmer announced a new partnership worth $340 billion in technology, nuclear power, and private equity.

Rubio Says US Visa Revocations Underway After Charlie Kirk Death Celebrations

SoS Marco Rubio said foreign nationals who made celebratory comments over Charlie Kirk’s assassination will have their U.S. visas revoked.

Trump Supports Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization

President Trump said he would support designating the antifa movement a terrorist organization in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week.

US Conducts Strike on Another Drug Boat From Venezuela: Trump

Three people were killed in a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan drug boat, President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 15.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central