## Maine Senators Condemn Governor’s Trans Inclusion Policies, Spark Federal Scrutiny
A coalition of fourteen Maine state senators has formally protested Governor Janet Mills’ policies regarding transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports. In a letter addressed to President Biden and sent on Tuesday, the senators expressed their disagreement with Mills’ approach and lauded the previous administration’s actions.
The letter, which was obtained by Fox News Digital, highlights concerns that Maine’s current policies violate both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Title IX. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) froze state funding in response to these concerns and referred the matter to the Department of Justice.
Maine officials have since filed a lawsuit against the USDA challenging the funding freeze. The senators’ letter explicitly states:
“Dear Mr. President, As you know, the working people of Maine agree with your commonsense approach to protect women’s sports and spaces. We applaud your administration’s efforts to bring Maine into compliance with not only the protections for women and girls guaranteed under the nation’s landmark Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, but what has also been identified as violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.”
The senators argue that a minority of individuals, primarily from southern Maine, are driving policies that disadvantage female athletes. They contend that Governor Mills could readily address the situation if she were to support legislative efforts aimed at restricting participation in girls’ sports to biological females.
As stated within the letter:
“Still, we believe Title IX and FERPA violations will continue under the leadership and inaction of Janet Mills. She cannot continue to hide behind her interpretation of the Maine Human Rights Act to ignore federal law. Title IX supersedes the Maine Human Rights Act and the Governor has an obligation to come into compliance with federal law for both the protection of female athletes and the rights of parents.”
The senators who signed the letter include:
- Trey Stewart (Senate Republican Leader)
- Matthew Harrington (Assistant Senate Republican Leader)
- Susan Bernard
- Richard Bradstreet
- Bruce Bickford
- Scott Cryway
- Russell Black
- Brad Farrin
- Stacey Guerin
- Joseph Martin
- David Haggan
- Marianne Moore
- James Libby
- Jeff Timberlake
Senator Stacey Guerin further remarked to Fox News Digital, “The questions I would like Governor Mills and her supporters to answer is, ‘Where are the Maine feminists? Why are they not standing in support of Maine female athletes?’”
This situation gained national attention following a social media post by Maine GOP state Representative Laurel Libby. She highlighted the case of a transgender track and field athlete at Greely High School who achieved first place in a girls’ pole vault competition after previously competing as a male, sparking intense debate.
Representative Libby was subsequently censured by the House Democratic majority for identifying a minor, although she has filed a lawsuit challenging this censure.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services referred the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), Maine Principals’ Association, and Greely High School to the Justice Department on March 28th after multiple warnings regarding written agreements to restrict trans athlete participation were ignored.
Federal pressure is expected to increase in the coming days. The U.S. Department of Education issued a final warning to the Maine Department of Education, setting an April 11th deadline for addressing the issue or facing another referral to the Justice Department.
Recent polling data underscores public sentiment on the matter. A survey by the American Parents Coalition found that:
- 63% of Maine voters believe school sports participation should be based on biological sex.
- 66% agree it’s “only fair to restrict women’s sports to biological women.”
- 60% would support a ballot measure limiting participation in girls’ and women’s sports to biological females, including 64% of independents and 66% of parents with children under 18.
The situation continues to unfold as Maine faces potential sanctions and heightened scrutiny over its policies regarding transgender athletes.
