Indiana Governor Mike Braun has signed two executive orders rejecting what his administration calls “extreme gender ideology,” sparking controversy and backlash from civil rights groups. The orders focus on college athletics and state agency policies regarding gender identity.
Orders Aim to Reshape Gender Policies in Indiana
One of the executive orders directs the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to review policies at state colleges and universities. The goal, according to Braun’s office, is to ensure compliance with Title IX regulations regarding athletics.
The order states that female collegiate athletes should not be “forced to compete against biological males,” a position that aligns with similar policies seen in other Republican-led states. The review process will evaluate whether institutions are adhering to these guidelines or need adjustments.
NCAA’s Changing Landscape for Transgender Athletes
The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) has recently revised its policies regarding transgender athletes. Despite Braun’s order, the NCAA has clarified its stance:
- Transgender athletes are allowed to compete on men’s teams if they meet eligibility criteria.
- Athletes on hormone therapy may not compete in women’s leagues but can still practice with the teams.
- The NCAA governs over 1,100 college athletic programs and has reported fewer than 10 transgender athletes currently competing at the collegiate level.
The contrast between state-level orders and national athletic governance creates uncertainty for colleges in Indiana.
Restrictions on Gender Terminology and State Funding
The second executive order signed by Braun aims to eliminate gender-inclusive language in state agencies and ensure that government funds are not used to promote gender ideology. This means agencies must:
- Avoid using terms like “birthing persons,” “chestfeeding,” and “people who menstruate.”
- Ensure that state grants do not promote gender ideology in any form.
- Uphold traditional definitions of male and female in official communications and records.
Braun’s office stated that modern gender ideology “attempts to replace the biological category of sex with an ever-shifting concept of self-assessed gender identity,” which they claim “does not provide a meaningful basis for identification.”
ACLU of Indiana Pushes Back
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana swiftly condemned the orders, calling them “anti-transgender Hoosiers” rather than pro-women. Executive Director Chris Daley argued that the policies could have broader consequences, potentially impacting government functions like issuing driver’s licenses.
Daley criticized Braun for “wielding executive authority to put into practice the beliefs of a small number of Hoosiers who don’t like transgender people and immigrants or support medical privacy for women.”
Broader Political Landscape and National Trends
Indiana’s latest executive orders reflect a broader trend in Republican-led states implementing restrictions on transgender rights, particularly in sports and public policy. The debate over Title IX protections has been ongoing, with legal battles at the federal level adding complexity to the issue.
As the orders take effect, their real-world impact on Indiana’s educational institutions and government operations remains to be seen. With advocacy groups promising legal challenges, this policy shift is likely just the beginning of a larger legal and political fight.
