The Government Says the Title IX Rulebook Is Clear. LGBTQ+ Students and Survivors Still Need Answers.

Aqua RichJo | September 29, 2026

The federal government has formally removed the Biden administration’s 2024 Title IX regulations and restored the 2020 regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations. The change takes effect today, September 29. The 2024 rule explicitly addressed discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; the restored 2020 rule uses a narrower sexual-harassment standard and gives people accused of misconduct additional procedural protections.

But this is not a sudden switch in the rules schools have been following this week. Federal courts had already vacated the 2024 rule, and the Department of Education announced on January 31, 2025, that it would enforce the 2020 framework. Today’s action brings the published regulatory text into line with that existing enforcement position.

Why formal removal still matters

A published federal regulation tells schools which requirements the department will enforce. Formally taking the 2024 provisions out of the Code of Federal Regulations removes language that explicitly addressed LGBTQ+ students. It also means a future administration seeking a different regulatory framework would generally need to go through a new rulemaking process, including a proposed rule and public comments.

Title IX itself remains law. Its statutory ban on sex discrimination in federally funded education was not repealed. Nor does removing the 2024 regulation, by itself, answer every legal question about an LGBTQ+ student’s rights or decide how every local school policy must be written.

The Education Department says restoring the 2020 rule protects due process for accused students and safeguards opportunities for women and girls. LGBTQ+ and survivor advocates argue that the narrower framework leaves transgender students and people reporting harassment with less protection. The 2020 rule also does not, on its own, settle every dispute over transgender students’ participation in athletics.

What should DFW schools tell students?

Dallas and Fort Worth districts, colleges and universities should explain what a student can expect when they report sex-based harassment or discrimination right now. Which definition of harassment does the school use? Who receives a complaint? What support is available while it is reviewed? What hearing procedures apply, and how can either party appeal?

Schools should also say whether their local policies provide protections for LGBTQ+ students beyond the federal regulatory minimum where legally permitted—and whether staff training or written guidance will change after today’s formal action. Students should not have to read competing federal press releases to find out whom to call or what happens next.

No Chill News wants to hear from LGBTQ+ students who choose to speak, survivor advocates, Title IX coordinators and education attorneys about how the rules work in practice.

The regulation has changed on paper. The immediate test is whether every student can get a clear answer—and meaningful help—when they need it.

Reporting basis: the U.S. Department of Education’s September 28 announcement, its January 2025 enforcement announcement and Education Week’s analysis. No Chill News has not independently reviewed individual DFW school policies or interviewed affected students.