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A parents’ rights organization has filed a formal complaint against Princeton University with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging the Ivy League institution is violating Title IX by forcing female students to use “gender-neutral” restrooms with inadequate privacy protections.
Defending Education, the group behind the complaint, claims Princeton offers approximately 250 “gender-inclusive” restrooms across campus, along with all-gender dormitories and hormone replacement therapy for students. The complaint specifically targets facilities at two residential colleges—Yeh College and New College West—where over 500 students must share gender-neutral bathrooms featuring “multiple showers and toilet stalls” with gaps between partitions.
“First-year Princeton students cannot ‘opt out’ of the communal bathroom arrangement because Princeton ‘randomly assigns’ first-year students to one of several residential colleges,” the complaint states. It further notes that the arrangement creates situations where female students have reported “walk[ing] in on guys literally peeing standing up with the door open.”
The complaint highlights testimonials from female students who have expressed feeling unsafe and uncomfortable with the current bathroom policies. Several students reportedly voiced their concerns to the university’s student newspaper in 2025, citing privacy and safety issues.
“In short, the reality of biological sex is a fiction at Princeton University,” Defending Education writes in its complaint.
Beyond bathroom concerns, the advocacy group also objects to Princeton’s graduation ceremony practices, specifically the “Rose Graduation” celebrating “women and fem accomplishments and achievements” and the “Lavender Graduation” honoring “queer and trans accomplishments and achievements.”
Sarah Parshall Perry, vice president and legal fellow at Defending Education, criticized the university’s approach to gender identity issues. “Princeton University, one of the nation’s oldest universities, has a long and prestigious history,” Perry told Fox News Digital. “But of late, it has confused sex with gender identity, proudly boasting of its efforts to be one of the most ‘transgender friendly’ institutions in the nation.”
Perry added that Princeton’s “bathroom, housing, graduation, and medical policies flout federal law, and federal directive, and violate the rights of Princeton’s female students to equal education on the storied campus.”
The complaint comes amid a shifting federal landscape on gender and education policies. The Trump administration has recently taken several actions related to education policy, including signing executive orders on school funding and antisemitism, and launching a federal review of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices in institutions receiving federal funding.
In a similar case, the Trump administration recently initiated an investigation into a Colorado school district for allegedly discriminating against female students after a girls’ restroom was reportedly converted into an “all-gender” facility while the boys’ restroom remained exclusively for males.
During his first week back in office, President Trump ordered a federal review of DEI teachings and practices in educational institutions that receive federal funding, stating the goal was to restore “merit-based opportunity” in education.
The Defending Education complaint demands that Princeton “correct its violations of federal law immediately” and calls on the Department of Education to investigate what the group describes as “unlawful policies and practices.”
Princeton University has a student population of approximately 8,000 and is consistently ranked among America’s top universities. The institution has been navigating increasing pressure from various stakeholders regarding its policies on gender inclusivity, with advocates on both sides of the debate pushing for changes that align with their perspectives on gender identity and student privacy.
As of publication, neither Princeton University nor the Department of Education had provided comment on the complaint. The case represents the latest flashpoint in ongoing national debates about gender identity, privacy rights, and the interpretation of Title IX protections in educational settings.
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10 Comments
Interesting to see this complaint against an Ivy League school like Harvard. Title IX protections should apply regardless of DEI initiatives. The university will likely need to review its policies and facilities closely.
You’re right, universities have to be cautious not to violate existing laws and regulations in the name of DEI. Finding the right balance is critical.
The allegations against Harvard are quite serious. Proper oversight and compliance with Title IX are essential, even for prestigious universities. It will be important to see how this complaint is investigated and resolved.
You make a good point. Title IX protections must be upheld, regardless of an institution’s reputation or DEI initiatives. Harvard will need to address this thoroughly.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. While promoting inclusion is important, the safety and privacy of female students should be the top priority. Harvard will need to address this complaint thoroughly.
Agreed, universities have to weigh inclusivity with practical considerations. Hopefully Harvard can find solutions that meet legal requirements while respecting all students.
This is an important issue that goes beyond just Harvard. Universities nationwide need to ensure their DEI policies don’t violate existing laws and regulations around privacy and safety. It’s a delicate balance to strike.
Absolutely, this is a broader challenge facing the higher education sector. Finding the right approach that promotes inclusion while respecting all students’ rights will be critical.
This is a concerning allegation against Harvard. Proper privacy and safety protocols are essential, especially for female students. It will be interesting to see how the university responds and if any policy changes are made.
I agree, universities need to balance diversity and inclusion with appropriate privacy safeguards. Rushing into ‘gender-neutral’ facilities without careful planning can create real issues for students.