A federal judge in Texas has halted key parts of a Biden administration policy that sought to expand workplace protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, ruled that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) overstepped its authority in interpreting “sex” to include gender identity and sexual orientation. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, which claimed the EEOC’s stance would force companies to comply with what it described as “radical gender ideology.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a win for “biological reality.” The EEOC, meanwhile, acknowledged it currently lacks the quorum needed to formally rescind the guidance in question.
Supporters of the ruling argue it brings legal consistency and prevents federal agencies from redefining existing laws without congressional input. Opponents, however, believe the move weakens important safeguards for LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace.
