04-04-2025
Pullman fights back
Apr. 4—PULLMAN — Washington State University students are taking a stance against federal initiatives that aim to roll back LGBTQ+ protections and end diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
A protest of around 20 students was held Wednesday afternoon on WSU Pullman's Terrell Mall. Undergraduate student and co-organizer Abba Whitaker said the gathering was meant to raise visibility for the institution that was affected by changes to Title IX, which redefines sex-based harassment and discrimination.
Co-organizer and undergraduate student Sienna Guadagnoli said protesters passed out flyers for a gathering Saturday in Pullman, "Hands Off! Pullman Fights Back," that's part of a nationwide mobilization effort against the Trump administration.
WSU alerted students, faculty and staff in an email last week it would revise its policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment, as well as Compliance and Civil Rights procedural guidelines, to comply with reverted 2020 Title IX regulations instead of the 2024 version.
Title IX is a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on sex. The email states the U.S. Department of Education issues regulations on how universities should address complaints of sexual harassment.
Until recently, higher education institutions were following 2024 Title IX regulations, issued by the Biden administration, that expanded protections to include the LGBTQ+ community and broadened the definition of sex-based harassment, according to the National Archives Code of Federal Regulations website.
The 2024 Title IX regulations were vacated by a federal district court in January on the basis that they exceeded the department's authority, according to the Department of Education's website. The guidelines were subsequently reverted to the 2020 Title IX version, enacted during President Donald Trump's first term.
WSU assured in the email that updated regulations do not alter its "unwavering commitment" to addressing sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. The university also stated it would continue to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as required by the Washington Law Against Discrimination.
In addition, Whitaker said the group was also protesting Trump's campaign to end DEI programs by threatening to withhold federal funding.
