Maine School Districts Push Back on Transgender Athlete Policy
Several Maine school districts are challenging the state’s policies regarding transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports, adding fuel to a growing national debate. The recent actions highlight a significant divide between state-level policies championed by Democratic leadership and the concerns of local communities and school boards.
RSU No. 24, serving five public schools in Sullivan, Maine, voted 7-1 to rescind Policy JB, which allowed students to participate in sports according to their asserted gender identity. Superintendent Michael Eastman confirmed the immediate cessation of the policy, stating the decision followed "respectful deliberation" and acknowledging public input.
This move follows a similar decision by MSAD No. 70 in mid-April. The school board unanimously voted to comply with Title IX by recognizing only two sexes, biological male and biological female, and segregating private spaces accordingly. Superintendent Tyler Putnam is now tasked with rewriting district policies to prevent transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. He anticipates policies aligning athletic teams with biological sex.
These district-level actions come amidst a broader legal and political battle. The Department of Justice is suing Maine for allegedly failing to comply with the "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports" executive order issued during the Trump administration. Maine, however, has permitted transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity since 2005, following the passage of the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
The Maine Principals Association (MPA) updated its policies in 2024 to explicitly allow transgender students to participate on teams aligning with their gender identity. Governor Janet Mills and other Democratic leaders are staunchly defending these policies, asserting the rights of transgender athletes to compete and access facilities without discrimination.
The issue has sparked considerable controversy and public outcry. Multiple protests have occurred across Maine, including demonstrations at the state Capitol, with activists advocating for the protection of girls’ sports from transgender competitors. These concerns intensified after a transgender athlete won several events at a girls’ track meet. The athlete, competing for North Yarmouth Academy, secured first place in the 1600-meter race with a significant lead and also won the 800-meter event. This victory amplified existing anxieties among some parents and community members regarding fairness and safety in girls’ sports.
Critics of Maine’s existing policies argue that allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports creates an uneven playing field due to inherent biological differences between males and females. They argue that these differences provide biological males with unfair advantages in strength, speed, and endurance, potentially jeopardizing opportunities for biological females.
Advocates for transgender inclusion, on the other hand, argue that denying transgender athletes the right to compete based on their gender identity is discriminatory and harmful. They emphasize that transgender individuals are already marginalized and vulnerable, and excluding them from sports further isolates them and denies them the benefits of participation, such as physical fitness, teamwork, and social inclusion.
Polling data suggests significant public disagreement on the issue. A survey by the American Parents Coalition indicated that a majority of Maine voters believe sports participation should be based on biological sex and that women’s sports should be restricted to biological women. The poll also found substantial support for a ballot measure limiting participation in women’s and girls’ sports to biological females.
The decisions by RSU No. 24 and MSAD No. 70 reflect the growing pressure on state and local officials to address these concerns. These districts appear to be prioritizing the concerns of constituents who believe that allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports is unfair to biological females.
The legal challenges and policy debates surrounding transgender athletes in Maine are part of a larger national conversation. Similar controversies have emerged in other states, with varying outcomes. Some states have enacted laws restricting transgender athletes’ participation in sports, while others have adopted inclusive policies similar to Maine’s original stance.
The issue is complex and deeply personal, with strong opinions on both sides. It highlights the challenge of balancing the rights and needs of transgender individuals with concerns about fairness and safety in competitive sports. The ongoing legal battles, policy changes, and public debates are likely to continue shaping the landscape of transgender athlete participation in Maine and across the country. The future of transgender athletes in Maine remains uncertain as school districts, state officials, and the courts grapple with the issue. The outcome will likely have significant implications for the rights and opportunities of transgender individuals and the fairness of girls’ sports.
