Be bold for change. Thank you TITLE IX

Tuesday, June 24th marked the 48th anniversary of Title IX, when Congress proclaimed that "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Title IX was enacted as a follow-up to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The 1964 Act was passed to end discrimination in various fields based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the areas of employment and public accommodation. But the 1964 Act did not prohibit sex discrimination against persons employed at educational institutions. Though views differ as respects to the impact of Title IX, discussion typically focuses on whether or not Title IX has resulted in increased athletic opportunities for women and girls, and whether and to what extent Title IX has resulted in decreased athletic opportunities for men and boys. However, Title IX has played a large role in girls getting more involved and has seen an increase in women's participation in athletics, so the main focus was put on the gender equality of school athletics. Between 2010 and 2016, under the Obama Administration, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance explaining that transgender students are also protected from sex-based discrimination under Title IX. It instructed public schools to treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity in academic life. A student who identifies as a transgender boy, for instance, is allowed entry to a boys-only class, and a student who identifies as a transgender girl is allowed entry to a girls-only class. This also applies to academic records if that student is over the age of eighteen at a university. We should all be thankful for Title IX and what it means in our very progressive society. We here at Black Ball TV are extremely grateful of the opportunities that Title IX has provided to all women and girls. Like our tagline says, "WE CAN TOO!"