Maine Faces Federal Scrutiny Over Transgender Athlete Policy in Girls’ Sports

Maine Faces Federal Scrutiny Over Transgender Athlete Policy in Girls’ Sports

FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights referred the Maine Department of Education to the Department of Justice on Friday. This referral follows the state’s decision to continue allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

This marks the second referral to the DOJ related to this issue within a month. Previously, the Department of Health and Human Services referred the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Principal’s Association, and Greely High School on March 28.

On Friday, the Office of Civil Rights communicated with Maine Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster regarding the new referral. A letter obtained by Fox News Digital indicated that the Maine Attorney General’s office formally notified OCR that it would not agree to amend the state’s gender eligibility policies to comply with Title IX. As a result, a referral to the DOJ was deemed necessary.

“Accordingly, OCR has determined compliance cannot be secured by informal or voluntary means,” the letter stated. “OCR now refers this matter to the Department of Justice with a recommendation for appropriate proceedings to enforce all legally available remedies.”

Additionally, the OCR has initiated procedures to suspend or freeze funding directed to the state. The letter explicitly states that OCR is moving to suspend Federal financial assistance to MDOE.

Last Tuesday, the USDA announced a funding freeze to Maine in response to the state’s decision regarding transgender athletic inclusion. This freeze is part of a broader review of the state’s policies by various federal agencies.

In reaction to the USDA’s actions, Maine officials filed a lawsuit against the agency on Monday. Their legal challenge follows the USDA’s decision to withhold funds due to the state’s transgender athlete participation policy.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Maine Attorney General’s office for comments regarding the latest referral.

Pressure on Maine’s Educational Institutions

The state has faced increased federal pressure in recent months to ensure protections for female athletes amid growing controversy surrounding transgender inclusion in sports. Tensions have escalated, especially following remarks made by former President Donald Trump, who expressed strong opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.

After signing an executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports in early February, Trump criticized states like Maine that continue to support trans athlete participation. His comments, made during a gathering of GOP governors, emphasized the potential withholding of federal funding to states that did not comply with his executive order.

In response, Governor Janet Mills’ office issued a statement threatening legal action against Trump. This back-and-forth illustrates the broader national debate over transgender rights in athletics.

Impact on Local Athletes

The controversy has not merely remained a legislative issue; it has significantly affected local athletes. In one notable incident, state representative Laurel Libby raised concerns on social media about a transgender athlete’s participation in a girls’ pole vault competition at Greely High School. Her post gained national attention, leading to widespread discussion about the implications of such policies on female athletes.

This situation underscores the real and personal impacts these policies have on young athletes. For instance, Cassidy Carlisle, a Maine resident, shared her experience of competing against a transgender athlete in Nordic skiing. She described the emotional toll it took on her, underscoring feelings of defeat that she never expected to encounter.

“The defeat that comes with that in that moment is heartbreaking,” Carlisle expressed. “I just felt in shock and disbelief that it was happening to me.”

Public Sentiment on Gender Policies in Sports