President Donald Trump’s recent election victory and his commitment to “drain the swamp” have renewed hope among conservatives for rolling back federal overreach and progressive policies. Central to his agenda is the repeal of the Biden administration’s controversial redefinition of Title IX. However, even with successful federal reforms, blue states such as Michigan are poised to maintain progressive ideologies due to their state laws, liberal administrations, and entrenched bureaucracies.
The Trump Plan: Reclaiming Title IX
Under the Biden administration, Title IX—a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education—was redefined to include protections for “gender identity.” This reinterpretation led to mandates requiring schools to allow students to use bathrooms, locker rooms, and participate in sports teams based on their gender identity rather than their biological sex (U.S. Department of Educationhttps://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-07915.pdf).
Conservatives argue that these changes distort the law’s original intent, infringe on parental rights, and undermine fairness in sports and privacy in schools (Heritage Foundation). Trump has pledged to repeal these changes, restoring Title IX to its original purpose and returning control over gender-related policies to local school districts (Trump 2024 Campaign).
Michigan’s Progressive Stance
Even if Title IX is returned to its original interpretation, states like Michigan are unlikely to experience significant change due to their codified progressive policies. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), originally enacted in 1976, was amended in March 2023 to prohibit discrimination based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” (Michigan Legislature).
This amendment effectively guarantees that the protections added under Biden’s Title IX redefinition remain enforced in Michigan, regardless of federal action. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, upon signing the amendment, stated,
"Our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors deserve equal protection under the law so they can live their authentic lives, and I want everyone to know that Michigan is a place that will fight for your freedom to be yourself.“ (Office of the Governor).
The practical impact of ELCRA’s amendments means that schools, employers, and other institutions in Michigan must continue to accommodate gender identity policies, including access to restrooms, sports teams, and other facilities based on self-identified gender. Michigan schools, therefore, will still face mandates to accommodate gender identity policies irrespective of federal reforms (MLive).
Implications for Conservative Reforms
The entrenched nature of progressive policies in states like Michigan underscores the limitations of federal reforms. While rescinding Biden’s Title IX expansion would reduce federal overreach, states with laws like ELCRA will continue to implement progressive policies. This dynamic ensures that liberal policies remain deeply embedded in blue states, despite federal conservative victories.
For example, Michigan’s state bureaucracy and public school systems are led by progressive administrators who actively enforce these policies. Michigan State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice has publicly supported gender identity accommodations in schools, stating,
“Not all parents are supportive when they discover or are told that their child is gay or transgender. In the professional development sessions, we encourage discussions with parents about these issues whenever possible.” (The Bridge - Rice OpEd).
What Can Be Done?
To achieve meaningful change, conservatives must focus on state and local elections. Repealing amendments to laws like ELCRA and advocating for parental rights at the state level will require significant grassroots efforts. Mobilizing parents and voters to elect school board members and state legislators who share conservative values is critical to challenging these entrenched policies.
Additionally, organizations such as the Great Education Initiative are working to raise awareness about state-level overreach in education and provide resources for parents to advocate for local control (Great Education Initiative). These efforts highlight the need for a dual strategy: federal reforms paired with state-level activism.
Conclusion
President Trump’s federal initiatives, including plans to repeal the Biden administration’s Title IX changes, are significant steps toward restoring conservative values. However, in blue states like Michigan, entrenched progressive ideologies and state laws like ELCRA present formidable barriers to relief. To achieve lasting reform, conservatives must engage in the hard work of reclaiming state legislatures, local school boards, and other institutions that have been captured by progressive ideologies. Without this state-level focus, federal victories will remain symbolic in states where progressive policies are deeply ingrained.
Sources:
1. U.S. Department of Education, “U.S. Department of Education Confirms Title IX Protects Students from Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” June 2021. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-confirms-title-ix-protects-students-from-discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity
2. Michigan Legislature, “Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act Amendment,” Public Act 6 of 2023. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/publicact/pdf/2023-PA-0006.pdf
3. Office of the Governor, “Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Legislation Expanding Rights and Freedoms for LGBTQ+ Michiganders,” March 2023. https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2023/03/16/whitmer-signs-bipartisan-legislation-expanding-rights-and-freedoms-for-lgbtq
4. Michigan Department of Education, “Protecting and Respecting All Children,” September 2022. https://www.michigan.gov/mde/news-and-information/press-releases/2022/09/15/protecting-and-respecting-all-children
5. New York Post, “Can Trump deliver on two big—but contradictory—campaign promises to women and families?” November 2024. https://nypost.com/2024/11/22/us-news/can-trump-deliver-on-two-big-but-contradictory-campaign-promises-to-women-and-families
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