Maine lawmakers divided over ruling on transgender athletes in sports

PORTLAND, Maine — Maine leaders are responding to a federal ruling that found the state violated Title IX laws by allowing transgender athletes to compete on girls’ and women’s sports teams.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights issued a notice stating their agency found that the Maine Department of Education’s policy denies student-athletes’ equal opportunities. 

Some see the decision as a step toward fairness, but others fear it could lead to discrimination and exclusion. 

RELATED: Federal government says Maine violated Title IX over transgender athletes policy

Gia Drew, executive director of Equality Maine, said the ruling feels like an unnecessary interference in a long-standing practice of inclusivity. 

“Trans kids, athletes have been playing sports here in Maine for decades—and it was absolutely fine,” Drew said. 

She worries about how the decision could shape perceptions of gender and athletic ability. Others, however, see the ruling as a step toward protecting fairness in girls’ sports. 

Maine lawmakers like Rep. Katrina Smith, a Republican, have already spoken out regarding the ruling on social media, saying the current policy has already caused harm. 

“The Mills administration’s policy of allowing biological boys in girls’ sports has physically and mentally mistreated our young ladies,” she wrote on her Facebook page. 

House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, pointed to the growing number of girls speaking out at the State House, saying their concerns need to be taken seriously. 

“In the past weeks, we’ve seen hundreds of girls from all corners of the state speak out on the unfairness,” he said. 

RELATED: Senate rejects bill aiming to bar trans athletes from women’s and girls’ sports

The ruling could have major consequences for Maine schools, particularly regarding federal funding. 

As the state determines how to respond, many Mainers remain deeply divided. Some feel that protecting fairness in sports is essential, while others worry that young transgender athletes will face increased scrutiny and discrimination. 

Drew hopes the conversation remains compassionate, whatever the outcome. 

“I think young people hear respected adults—the president of the United States—say just horrible things about transgender people,” Drew added. “That can be really hard to understand as a young person.”

NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to the Maine Department of Education, the governor’s office, and Maine attorney general’s office for comment.