RICHMOND, Va. – Less than a month before a new administration takes office, President Joe Biden abandoned efforts to provide protections for transgender student athletes.

In a December, 2024 media release, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that he considered the move a major victory in protecting fairness in girls’ and women’s athletics.

In April 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) proposed a rule for the inclusion of biological males in the participation of female sports. According to the DOE, the rule would apply to public K-12 schools, as well as colleges, universities, and other institutions that receive federal funding.

In May 2023, AG Miyares joined a coalition of attorneys general to oppose what they viewed as an attempt to undermine Title IX protections.

According to the United States Department of Justice:

Title IX prohibits, with certain exceptions, any entity that receives “federal financial assistance” from discriminating against individuals on the basis of sex in education programs or activities. The clearest example of federal financial assistance is the award or grant of money.

“Biological men and women have genetic differences – that’s just a scientific fact. Many of those biological differences often lead to men being taller, stronger, and faster – therefore putting them at an athletic advantage. That’s exactly why we have women’s sports, and why Title IX exists – to create an environment where our female athletes can thrive, be competitive, and be celebrated,” said Miyares, at the time.

In multiple comment letters to the DOE, Attorneys General from nearly two dozen states voiced their opposition to the proposal.

The DOE officially announced the withdrawal of the proposed rule in a December 26 notice.

Said Miyares, “I’m proud to have stood up for Virginia’s female athletes and for the common-sense protections they deserve.”