Judge Reed O'Connor stated that the administration lacked the authority to make such changes and accused them of pushing an agenda that diverged from the original intent of Title IX, the 1972 law that bans sex-based discrimination in educational settings.

The Biden administration's new guidelines, issued in April, sought to expand Title IX to include protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These changes would have held schools and universities responsible for investigating a wider range of discrimination complaints.

However, Judge O'Connor's ruling emphasized that allowing the administration's actions to stand would effectively rewrite Title IX, undermining the democratic process and usurping the role of Congress in making major decisions. The judge, a President George W. Bush appointee, argued that the administration's approach was not in line with the original text, structure, and contemporary context of the law.

The rule changes come at a time when several states, including Texas, have passed laws preventing transgender student-athletes from participating in sports teams corresponding to their gender identity. While it remains unclear whether the Biden administration's new guidance would apply in these cases, the state of Texas and several others have already sued the administration over the expanded rule.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton applauded the ruling, stating that Texas had prevailed on behalf of the entire nation. Governor Greg Abbott had previously urged school districts and universities to disregard the administration's guidelines, claiming that they posed a threat to women's safety.

The U.S. Education Department released a statement affirming its support for the revised guidelines, emphasizing the importance of ensuring every student's right to feel safe in school. Despite the setback, the department remains committed to protecting LGBTQ+ students from discrimination.

As the legal battles continue, the fate of expanded LGBTQ+ protections under Title IX remains uncertain. The ruling by Judge O'Connor has temporarily halted the Biden administration's efforts, raising questions about the scope of federal protections for LGBTQ+ students in the future.