What Gen Z Needs to Know About Title IX Changes

Akshita Kasthuri
May 30
2 min read

Title IX is one of those policies we all hear about, but few students actually understand what it means for them day to day. At its core, Title IX is supposed to protect students from discrimination based on sex in schools that receive federal funding.

But recent changes, debates, and delays around Title IX have created confusion, especially for Gen Z students trying to figure out what rights they really have and what could change next.

📚 What Title IX Covers

Title IX protects students from:

Sexual harassment and assault on school grounds
Discrimination based on sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation
Unequal access to sports, activities, or academic opportunities

This applies to K through 12 schools and colleges. It is not just a sports law. It is a civil rights law.

⚖️ What Is Changing

The federal government has proposed updates that aim to:

Restore protections for LGBTQ+ students
Strengthen requirements for schools to respond to sexual misconduct
Improve clarity around consent and reporting procedures
Expand the definition of sex discrimination to be more inclusive

However, not all states interpret or enforce Title IX the same way. And students are often left unsure of what their school actually has to follow.

🧠 Why It Matters for Gen Z

Gen Z is the most openly LGBTQ+ generation. We are also more likely to speak out about injustice. But when schools fail to explain what Title IX actually guarantees, students are left navigating policy in the dark.

Many students do not know how to file a Title IX complaint. Some do not trust their schools to take reports seriously. Others do not realize they even have rights to protect.