A controversy is brewing in Maine, where the state’s approach to women’s sports has drawn the attention of the U.S. Department of Education. The issue centers around reports that Maine schools are allowing males who identify as female to compete in girls’ interscholastic athletics, a move that is now under investigation by the federal government.
The Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Education recently sent a letter to Commissioner Pender Makin, expressing concerns that the current practices violate Title IX, the federal law designed to protect individuals from discrimination based on sex in educational programs. The investigation will closely examine how Maine School Administrative District #51 is handling the participation of a male student in girls’ sports at Greely High School, amidst claims that this goes against antidiscrimination laws.
This scrutiny follows President Trump’s executive order, issued on February 5, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which aims to safeguard female athletic opportunities by threatening the withdrawal of federal funds from institutions that do not comply. Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights, emphasized that Maine must align its practices with federal law if it wishes to continue receiving funding. As he pointed out, “If Maine wants to forgo federal funds and continue to trample the rights of its young female athletes, that, too, is its choice.”
Superintendent Jeffrey Porter of MSAD #51 has publicly stated that the district intends to adhere to state laws and local policies, highlighting that the Maine Principals’ Association is backing the Department of Education’s stance. In a communication to the community, he noted that while there are questions about the executive order’s impact on federal funding, the district will follow directives until any amendments are specified.
Recent media attention on the issue was sparked by Republican State Rep. Laurel Libby, who shared a photograph of a male competitor on a girls’ track team. In her commentary, Libby denounced the situation, pointing out that the student had previously tied for fifth place in the boys’ pole vault but went on to win the girls’ championship. She described the circumstances as “unfair” to dedicated female athletes, reinforcing her belief that biological males should not compete against women in sports.
At a recent White House event, Trump did not hold back in addressing Maine Governor Janet Mills, criticizing her state’s compliance with policies that permit such participation in women’s sports. As the investigation unfolds, the future of athletic opportunities for female athletes in Maine hangs in the balance, prompting discussions across the state and beyond regarding the intersection of gender identity and sports.
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