Wellesley College, a women’s college in Massachusetts, is facing a Title IX complaint for allegedly admitting biological males who identify as women. The complaint was filed by the national grassroots nonprofit conservative group Defending Education.
Complaint Details
The complaint argues that Wellesley’s policy of considering for admission ‘any applicant who lives as a woman and consistently identifies as a woman’ discriminates on the basis of sex in programs or activities that receive federal funding, in violation of Title IX.
Defending Education’s complaint points to Wellesley’s policy, which was updated in 2015 to make anyone who identifies and lives as a woman — including trans and nonbinary people — eligible for admission. The complaint also cites Wellesley materials saying the college recognized that some students’ gender identities ‘could evolve’ while they are enrolled.
Response from Wellesley College
Wellesley College has responded to the allegations in a statement, saying, ‘Wellesley is proud to be a women’s college that has been educating women who make a difference in the world for 150 years. We remain committed to our mission, and believe that our policies comply with civil rights law.’
Sarah Parshall Perry, vice president and senior legal fellow at Defending Education, said that Wellesley’s policy is not new and that the college has been admitting biological males who identify as female since 2015. Perry argued that Wellesley’s receipt of federal funding subjects the college to Title IX requirements.
The complaint asks the Office for Civil Rights to investigate Wellesley, require the college to remedy what Defending Education calls unlawful policies and practices, and order appropriate relief.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
