Federal Complaint Against MIT Programs for Gender Discrimination

A federal complaint was filed on Monday seeking an investigation into two programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for alleged gender discrimination against biological males.

The lawsuit, brought forward by the Equal Protection Project, claims that MIT’s Physics Graduate Womxn and Biology Graduate Womxn programs violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by excluding students who identify as male. According to the complaint, while students identifying as women can automatically participate, men must specify additional identities, like being transgender or non-binary, to be included.

“Clearly, these differences in eligibility criteria based on male or female status amount to sex discrimination in violation of Title IX,” the complaint states. It further argues that the program’s naming and advertising imply it is not intended for men, which also contradicts Title IX regulations.

The “Graduate Womxn in Physics” program, as stated on its website, intends to foster community and support gender diversity among physics graduate students. The program uses “womxn” to encompass transgender women, cisgender women, nonbinary individuals, and gender-diverse students. It offers workshops for career development, mentoring, and travel grants for eligible “womxn” in the program.

A similar description is found on the website for the Graduate Womxn in Biology program. This program is described as an inclusive group aiming to support individuals identifying as womxn, transgender, and non-binary in the biology fields at MIT. It caters to helping graduates feel a sense of belonging, while also providing career guidance and professional development opportunities.

The complaint argues that the term “womxn” suggests a preference based on gender, which aligns with prohibited conduct outlined in a memo from July 2025 by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. This guidance stresses that organizations receiving federal funds must not discriminate based on gender or other protected characteristics.

William Jacobson, founder and chairman of the Equal Protection Project, expressed concern that MIT’s issues “may be more serious than we realize.” He indicated hope that the Department of Justice would launch an investigation, noting that this could involve other programs not yet identified.

Jacobson further claimed that simply stating the programs are open to everyone does not shield the institution from “Title IX liability.” He explained, “If it’s race-based, you can’t avoid liability by just adding a line saying it’s open to everyone. That’s just signaling.”

The Daily Caller attempted to contact spokespeople from the Physics Graduate Womxn and Biology Graduate Womxn programs for comments but received no immediate response.