A school district in Maine has taken a firm stand against a proposed agreement from the Trump administration that would ban transgender athletes from competing in girls sports. Despite federal pressure and a deadline from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the district and other state officials have refused to comply, stating they will continue to follow Maine law.
Maine District Defends Trans Inclusion in Sports
Maine School Administrative District 51, which includes Greely High School, announced Thursday that it would not sign the proposed agreement issued by the Trump administration. This move comes after national controversy erupted in February when a transgender athlete from Greely High won a girls pole vault competition.
In its statement, the district made it clear that it will continue to follow state law and the Maine Human Rights Act, which protects against discrimination based on gender identity. The school also addressed its students directly, thanking them for staying focused on their education during this ongoing debate.
Statewide Support for Current Policy
The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) echoed the district’s position, saying it is legally required to follow the Maine Human Rights Act. The MPA’s policy currently allows students to participate in sports according to their gender identity.
This decision comes even as public opinion appears to differ. A survey by the American Parents Coalition showed that 63% of about 600 Maine voters believe sports participation should be based on biological sex. Around 66% also said women’s sports should be limited to biological females, and 60% would support a ballot measure enforcing that policy.
Backlash and Political Tensions
The issue has caused a heated debate across the state and on a national level. After the transgender athlete’s victory at Greely High, Republican State Representative Laurel Libby publicly identified the student by name and photo in a social media post. The post led to safety concerns and police protection being assigned to the school.
The Maine Legislature later censured Libby for her actions. She has since filed a lawsuit to overturn that decision.
The situation escalated when former President Donald Trump clashed with Maine Governor Janet Mills, accusing her of failing to protect girls’ sports. Trump threatened to cut federal funding if the state did not comply with his executive order banning trans athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports.
Governor Mills responded by threatening legal action if federal funding was withheld. The dispute became more public after a heated exchange between Trump and Mills during a bipartisan governors’ meeting at the White House.
Federal Government Issues Warning
Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights (OCR) ruled that Maine’s Department of Education, MPA, and Greely High School were violating Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.
The OCR gave the state 10 days to revise its policies through a signed agreement, warning that if Maine failed to act, the issue could be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Justice. That deadline passed Thursday without compliance.
Acting OCR Director Anthony Archeval said that if Maine refuses to voluntarily follow Title IX, the federal government will enforce the law “to the fullest extent permitted.”
This ongoing battle highlights the deep divide over transgender participation in school sports. While federal officials insist on enforcing Title IX protections for female athletes, Maine officials are standing by their state laws that support inclusion.
As this legal and political conflict continues, schools, students, and families are left in the middle, navigating complex questions about fairness, rights, and safety.