Northern Virginia school districts lose federal funding over transgender policies

The Washington Post reports that the Education Department is putting the pressure on Virginia schools over their transgender policies.

ive Northern Virginia school districts face the loss of federal funding after refusing to change policies that support transgender students. The Education Department announced Friday that it would begin suspending financial assistance to districts in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William counties, and Alexandria.

What's happening

These districts allow transgender students to use bathrooms and facilities matching their gender identity. Following a complaint by America First Legal—a conservative group founded by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller—the Education Department determined these policies violate Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination.

Do we need reminding that Stephen Miller is a primary architect of Project 2025 and an unmitigated racist and anti-trans bigot.

The federal agency gave the districts until Friday to comply with demands including rescinding existing gender identity policies and adopting "biology-based definitions" of male and female. All five districts refused, with officials arguing their policies comply with federal and state antidiscrimination laws while creating safe learning environments.

A huge financial hit

The funding cuts represent significant financial losses. Fairfax County, Virginia's largest school district, risks losing up to $160 million in federal support. Loudoun County stands to lose approximately $47 million from its $2.5 billion budget, while Alexandria faces a $20 million reduction.

These funds support special education, nutrition programs, and additional resources for serving low-income students. So it's also about screwing over the poor too.

Districts respond

School officials across the affected districts maintained unified opposition to the federal demands. Fairfax County stated it had demonstrated how its policies align with existing law. I also requested the Office of Civil Rights halt further action pending court clarification.

Arlington's leadership emphasized that federal and state laws "require us to uphold our current policy." And Prince William requested continued dialogue to find solutions serving their diverse student community.

LGBTQ advocacy groups praised the districts' stance. They noted that thousands of residents had urged officials to maintain the protections. Research indicates transgender students represent about 1.18% of Virginia's teenage population. But they face higher rates of mental health challenges and suicide attempts.

The funding cuts align with broader Trump administration efforts to roll back transgender youth resources, including recent executive orders targeting gender-transition care funding and threatening schools that allow transgender students in girls' sports.

And we've also seen, poor people, regardless of gender or color, also will suffer. And they don't care.

The school districts now face the challenge of maintaining services while pursuing legal remedies to restore their federal funding.

Non in cautus futuri.