Judge blocks Biden’s Title IX rule in four states, dealing a blow to protections for LGBTQ+ students.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration’s new Title IX rule expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students has been temporarily blocked in four states after a federal judge in Louisiana found that it overstepped the Education Department’s authority.
In a preliminary injunction granted Thursday, U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty called the new rule an “abuse of power” and a “threat to democracy.” His order blocks the rule in Louisiana, which filed a challenge to the rule in April, and in Mississippi, Montana and Idaho, which joined the suit.
The Education Department defended the rule and said it’s reviewing the judge’s order.
“The Department stands by the final Title IX regulations released in April 2024, and we will continue to fight for every student,” the agency said in a statement.
The Louisiana case is among at least seven backed by more than 20 Republican-led states fighting Biden’s rule. The rule, set to take hold in August, expands Title IX civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ students, expands the definition of sexual harassment at schools and colleges, and adds safeguards for victims.
Doughty, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, is the first judge to block the rule. It deals a major blow to the new protections, which were praised by civil rights advocates but drew backlash from opponents who say they undermine the spirit of Title IX, a 1972 law barring sex discrimination in education.
Louisiana is among several Republican states with laws requiring people to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their sex assigned at birth, restricting transgender students from using facilities that align with their gender identity. President Joe Biden’s rule clashes with those laws and claimed to supersede them.
The Louisiana lawsuit argued that the new rule would force schools across the four state to pay millions of dollars to update their facilities. In his decision, the judge called it an “invasion of state sovereignty” and concluded that the states were likely to succeed on the merits of the case.
His order says the rule likely violates free speech laws by requiring schools to use pronouns requested by students. It also questions whether the Biden administration has legal authority to expand Title IX to LGBTQ+ students.
“The Court finds that the term ‘sex discrimination’ only included discrimination against biological males and females at the time of enactment,” Doughty wrote in his order.
The judge expressed concern that the rule could require schools to allow transgender women and girls to compete on female sports teams. Several Republican states have laws forbidding transgender girls from competing on girls teams.
The Biden administration has proposed a separate rule that would forbid such blanket bans, but it said the newly finalized rule does not apply to athletics. Still, Doughty said it could be interpreted to apply to sports.
“The Final Rule applies to sex discrimination in any educational ‘program’ or ‘activity’ receiving Federal financial assistance,” he wrote. “The terms ‘program’ or ‘activity’ are not defined but could feasibly include sports teams for recipient schools.”
Judges in at least six other cases are weighing whether to put a similar hold on Biden’s rule. The Defense of Freedom Institute, a right-leaning nonprofit that backed the Louisiana lawsuit, applauded Doughty’s order.
“We are confident that other courts and states will soon follow,” said Bob Eitel, president of the nonprofit and a Trump administration education official.
Biden issued the new rule after dismantling another one created by Trump’s education secretary, Betsy DeVos. That rule narrowed the definition of sexual harassment and added protections for students accused of sexual misconduct.
On the social media platform X on Thursday, DeVos called the Louisiana decision a victory, saying Biden’s “anti-woman radical rewrite of Title IX is not just crazy but it’s also illegal.”

https://apnews.com/article/title-ix-transgender-sports-campus-sexual-assault-77f524b4ed8fcc2aecd5e863b0442bf4?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=share

Idaho bar celebrating ‘Heterosexual Awesomeness Month’ in June creates stir.

(This should be happening all over America right now ... hell it should be happening all over the civilized world.)

A saloon in Idaho is drawing both jeers and cheers for its cheeky counter-programming to Pride Month, declaring June “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month,” billing it as a celebration of all things straight.

“Come join us all month to celebrate heterosexuals, for without them, none of us would be here!” Old State Saloon in the city of Eagle wrote in a Facebook post announcing a month of festivities and drink specials.

 

Every Monday in June will be “Hetero Male Monday,” with a free draft beer given to “any heterosexual male dressed like a heterosexual male,” the bar said.
The bar even put out a call seeking a “professional” judge qualified “to determine if men’s chosen clothing is officially heterosexual,” offering $15 per hour plus free beer as compensation to anyone who “think[s] you have what it takes to determine straight threads.”
Wednesdays will be for couples, where “each heterosexual couple” will receive 15% off their bill.
Thursdays are ladies’ nights–heterosexual ladies, to be precise — with “Her Hetero Happy Hour” promising happy-hour prices for straight women all day long.
The Facebook post drew nearly 2,000 comments within 72 hours, with a well-balanced mix of people applauding the subversive mock celebration and those who took offense.
“This is horribly disappointing. I can handle differing political views. I CANNOT handle bigotry and hate towards marginalized communities,” a Facebook user wrote.
Another person weighed in, “Imagine being this insecure.”
But a supporter commented, “This is absolutely fantastic!
“Thank you for taking a stand for the rest of the community who has been too scared to do the right thing,” the person wrote.
Another commenter said, “I love that you have the balls to do a Hetero Male Monday party.”
Some people used the comments thread to troll the more easily offended posters.
“Heterosexuals, maintaining the human species for 40,000 years. You’re welcome!” one person said.
In a follow-up post addressing the brouhaha, Old State Saloon acknowledged that “lots of people are upset” about Heterosexual Awesomeness Month and sought to clarify a few things.
“1) We love our LGBTQ+ patrons! 2) We will not be changing our mind and give into the group of those who are responding with vitriol. 3) ALL are welcome to come celebrate heterosexuality with us in June!” wrote the bar — which also hosts events such as “conspiracy theory trivia” night with a rifle as the prize.
A commenter questioned this assertion, firing back, “If you ‘love’ your LGBTQ+ patrons, prove it. Have a night for them too.”
In response, the saloon wrote, “We love our Black patrons too. We love our White patrons. We love our patrons who work for USPS. But we aren’t doing special nights for those people. Nor are we doing special nights for LGBTQ+.
“We are choosing to celebrate heterosexuals. We should be able to do that without so many people being so nasty to us, lying about us, canceling us, attacking our business, and/or trying to get us to make something about themselves,” it continued.
“If you want us to change who we are celebrating, get over it. It’s not happening. Hooray for heterosexuals!”

https://nypost.com/2024/06/02/us-news/idaho-bar-celebrating-heterosexual-awesomeness-month-in-june-creates-stir/

An 85-year-old woman was handcuffed to a chair during an armed home invasion. She killed the robber and survived.

(This is one tough lady with an attitude that makes her a survivor … I was impressed with the way she handled the entire situation. The 'suspect' was a white piece of trash. I still haven't been able to find the race of Christine Jenneiahn 'Eastwood'.) 

ROSE — An 85-year-old woman who shot and killed a man after he broke into her home in the middle of the night was threatened, hit, handcuffed to a chair and shot multiple times, according to newly released information.
The home invasion happened on March 13, and deputies responded just after noon. But the home invasion began at 2 a.m.
The Bingham County Prosecutor’s Office identified the 85-year-old woman on Wednesday as Christine Jenneiahn. The suspect was identified in March as Derek Ephriam Condon, 39, of Blackfoot.
Officials told EastIdahoNews.com the two were known to each other and it was not believed to be a random incident.
According to an incident review from Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley, Condon’s death has been ruled as “justifiable homicide” based on information contained in reports, video, photographs, search warrants and witness statements.
Early that morning, Jenneiahn was sleeping in her Bingham County home off 134 West 600 North, according to the review. The only other person in her home was her adult disabled son, David Jenneiahn, who was in his room downstairs.

EastIdahoNews.com has seen the home and it is out of the way from neighbors.
Christine Jenneiahn told investigators that she was asleep and was woken up by an unknown man. He was later identified as Condon.
Condon was dressed in a military jacket and a black ski mask. He was pointing a gun and flashlight at Jenneiahn.  
The review said Condon placed Jenneiahn in handcuffs and took her into her living room.
“Subsequent investigation indicates a strong likelihood that Condon struck Jenneiahn in the head as she lay in her bed,” it said. There was blood on the pillow and floor in her room where she had been sleeping.
Jenneiahn said he had hit her in the head at some point during the incident, but she was unsure of exactly when it happened.
After taking her at gunpoint into the living room, Condon handcuffed her to a wooden chair. He asked her where the valuables were kept and put his pistol against her head after she told him she didn’t have much, the review said.
She told Condon that there were two safes downstairs in the home. He left Jenneiahn handcuffed in the living room. He went downstairs multiple times and rummaged through several rooms.
Eventually, Condon discovered that Jenneiahn’s son was in the home and got angry at her for not telling him. He made multiple threats and told her that he “would kill her,” the review revealed.  
“One of the most heroic acts of self-preservation I have heard of.”
When Condon went downstairs again at some point, Jenneiahn dragged the chair she was handcuffed to into her bedroom and got her .357 Magnum revolver, which was under her pillow.
She then went back into the living room and “hid the revolver” between the armrest and cushion of a couch next to where she was sitting while she waited to see what Condon did next, the review detailed.
“Her memory of exactly what happened next remains somewhat unclear,” according to the review.
She told investigators that at some point, Condon came back into the living room and threatened to kill her as he continued to burglarize her home.
‘Now or never’
Jenneiahn ultimately made the decision that it was “now or never” and drew her gun and “engaged Condon, striking him with both her shots.” Officials told EastIdahoNews.com she shot him in the area of his chest.
Condon returned fire and emptied a 9mm pistol, hitting her multiple times in her abdomen, leg, arm and chest.
Condon went into the kitchen, where he died from his wounds.
Jenneiahn fell to the floor, still handcuffed, in the living room, where she remained for about 10 hours, the review said.
She was ultimately able to call 911 after her son came upstairs later in the morning and gave her a phone. Deputies responded immediately at 12:17 p.m. and provided lifesaving measures.
She was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.
A broken window and screwdriver
Investigation revealed there was a broken window in the back of her home and a screwdriver was found next to the door where Condon came inside.
Additionally, Condon’s car was found near Jenneiahn’s home with one set of footprints leading from the car in that direction, the review said. When investigators searched Condon’s body, they found he had a lock pick set, his car key, a handcuff key and a bag that had items he had stolen.
The law in Idaho regarding self-defense is clear, Jolley wrote — “No person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting himself …”
He found that an individual acting in self-defense is not required to “wait until he or she ascertains whether the danger is apparent or real.”
“This case presents an easy analysis of self-defense and justifiable homicide. It also presents one of the most heroic acts of self-preservation I have heard of,” Jolley wrote. “Any reasonable person would believe it necessary to defend themselves or their disabled child under such circumstances.”
He said the fact that Jenneiahn survived the encounter is “truly incredible.” Jolley said that her grit, determination and will to live appear to be what saved her that night.
“Had Derek Condon survived, I would be charging him with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, kidnapping, burglary, aggravated battery and grand theft,” Jolley added in his review.
The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office released in a post on social media, “We wish to make it clear that our intention is not to defame the name of the suspect involved or make a tragedy for his family worse. We are simply releasing the facts of the case and explaining that there was a victim involved that displayed heroism, fortitude, and a will to live that we’d be remiss not to share.”
The sheriff’s office said its staff feels fortunate to know Jenneiahn and looks forward to finding a way to honor her at a later date.
EastIdahoNews.com has reached out to her but has not been able to get in contact with her. We have confirmed Jenneiahn has been released from EIRMC and is recovering.
 
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/04/an-85-year-old-woman-was-handcuffed-to-a-chair-during-an-armed-home-invasion-heres-how-she-killed-the-robber-and-survived/