Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This means that if you are a student or employee of a university that receives federal financial assistance, you may be protected by Title IX.
There are a number of different types of discrimination that are prohibited by Title IX, including:
- Sexual harassment: This includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
- Sex-based discrimination: This includes discrimination based on a person’s sex, such as refusing to admit a student to a college because of their gender or firing an employee because they are pregnant.
- Gender identity discrimination: This includes discrimination based on a person’s gender identity, such as refusing to allow a transgender student to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of sex, you may be able to file a Title IX complaint with your university. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
How do I know if I am protected by Title IX?
There are a few things you can do to determine if you are protected by Title IX:
- Check to see if your university receives federal financial assistance. Most universities do, but you can check with your university’s financial aid office to be sure.
- Review your university’s Title IX policy. Your university should have a Title IX policy that outlines the school’s procedures for handling complaints of discrimination.
- Talk to an attorney or a Title IX advocate. They can help you understand your rights and options under Title IX.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of sex, you can contact Fillmore Spencer for a free consultation with an experienced attorney and Title IX expert to discuss your rights and options. We can help you determine if you have a claim, understand the process for filing a Title IX complaint with your university, and can represent you in the process.
