Gov. Noem joins other governors calling for Biden to reject Title IX changes relating to transgender students

Gov. Kristi Noem, along with 14 other Republican governors, called on President Joe Biden to reject changes to Title IX when it comes to transgender students, according to a letter sent to the federal administration Wednesday.

The letter is the most recent escalation between Noem, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding proposed rules from the USDA that would limit the amount of money public schools receive if they prohibit transgender children from participating in sports or using the bathroom of their choice.

Noem threatened a lawsuit in June after the rules were announced by the USDA in early May.

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In the proposal, K-12 schools would be at risk of losing federal funding for free-and-reduced lunches if they don't abide by LGBTQ inclusivity policies.

The DOE also announced changes to Title IX, passed in 1972 that allowed girls and women to participate in sports as well as provided protections for victims of sexual assault at federally funded schools, that would expand the law to bar discrimination and harassment against transgender students.

A federal judge blocked the guidance July 15, according to Politico, stating the DOE's guidance would interfere and threaten states' ability to enforce laws.

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South Dakota, in its most recent legislative session, passed a law banning transgender women and girls from participating in school sanctioned athletic events.

The USDA rules have not been finalized and are currently open for public comment.

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