A Virginia school district official sought to bypass President Trump‘s executive order limiting transgender ideology in schools, according to internal emails obtained by Speech First. Leah Bressler, Title IX compliance officer for Montgomery County Public Schools, proposed altering the district’s code of conduct to maintain gender identity protections despite federal directives.
In a January 22, 2025, email to the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), Bressler suggested applying Title IX frameworks broadly to all conduct violations, thereby preserving existing gender identity policies. She wrote, “Our jurisdiction has protections in our policy manual for gender identity – if the policies applied to everything equally across the board – couldn’t the system maintain the protections?”
Brett Sokolow, chair of ATIXA’s advisory board, responded by acknowledging the strategy’s potential to circumvent state limitations but cautioned about possible legislative backlash. He remarked, “If school officials like you find legit ways to work around the state limitations, the state will learn from this and respond by tightening its limitations.” He added that while the approach might serve as a delaying tactic, it may not be sustainable long-term.
These communications occurred shortly after President Trump signed an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism,” which rescinded the previous administration’s application of Title IX to gender identity. Subsequently, another executive order directed federal funding away from schools promoting gender ideology.
Montgomery County Public Schools currently allow students to use facilities corresponding to their gender identity. When questioned about consulting on bypassing federal regulations, ATIXA stated it does not provide legal advice but encourages members to explore challenges related to sex discrimination laws.
Nicole Neily, acting executive director of Speech First, criticized the actions revealed in the emails, stating, “It’s appalling — albeit unsurprising — that Title IX administrators seem to be determined to circumvent the very laws they’re supposed to be enforcing.” She called for congressional intervention to provide clarity and end such practices.
