New College of Florida Faces Lawsuit Over Gender-Based Discrimination Policy Changes

A group of LGBTQ+ students is suing the New College of Florida, arguing that recent policy changes at the state-run liberal arts school violate their federal civil rights. The students, represented by advocacy groups including Equality Florida and Southern Legal Counsel, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday claiming the school has systematically discriminated against transgender and nonbinary students by rolling back protections and altering policies under a new conservative leadership.

The complaint centers on actions taken since Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a new board of trustees in early 2023, part of a broader effort to reshape higher education in Florida along conservative lines. At New College, this reshaping has included eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, restricting the use of preferred pronouns, denying health coverage for gender-affirming care, and removing signage for all-gender restrooms. Students say these changes create a hostile environment that marginalizes queer and trans students who once saw the college as a safe space.

One of the plaintiffs, who is nonbinary and currently enrolled at New College, said they struggle each day just to use the restroom on campus without fear of scrutiny or confrontation. Others have reported being misgendered by professors and denied accommodations that were previously part of campus policy. The lawsuit argues that these practices violate Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational institutions receiving federal funding.

New College officials have not commented publicly on the lawsuit, but its leadership has consistently aligned with the governor’s agenda. In March, New College trustees voted to eliminate the school’s gender studies program, citing political and ideological grounds. The administration has also replaced the former president with a DeSantis ally and former education commissioner, Richard Corcoran, whose tenure has further accelerated the school’s ideological shift.

The legal filing references specific instances where students sought help or clarity about changing policies, only to be ignored or told services were no longer available. Plaintiffs say that not only have the policies been rewritten, but the cultural tone on campus has also shifted in a way that makes LGBTQ+ students feel unwelcome or unsafe. The lawsuit is one of several recent legal challenges aimed at Florida’s education system, which has become a national flashpoint in debates over gender, race, and free expression.

While the outcome of the case remains to be seen, its implications reach beyond just one school. Advocates say it could define how far states can go in reshaping public education based on political ideology, particularly when it comes to rights protected under federal law. For students still attending New College, the question is more immediate: what rights they have on campus today, and what kind of environment they’re being asked to learn in.

New College, a small campus in Sarasota once known for its progressive values and experimental curriculum, now finds itself at the center of a culture war. And for queer and trans students who chose the school because it was once one of Florida’s most inclusive, the stakes are personal.