LGBTQ+ Students Who Challenged Religious Exemption Under Title IX Against Sex Discrimination Lose Appeal

A federal appellate panel has upheld a decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ students against the U.S. Department of Education challenging the federal exemption of religious institutions from Title IX’s prohibition on sex discrimination.

Thirty-three students, later joined by seven other plaintiffs, sued the Department of Education, alleging that religious colleges and universities receiving federal funding discriminated against them on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by disciplining them, rejecting their applications, or revoking their admissions.