Trump administration gives Maine 10 days to change transgender athlete rules

[Karah Rucker]

MAINE BECAME A FOCAL POINT ON THE ISSUE OF TRANSGENDER ATHLETES AFTER A STUDENT WHO TRANSITIONED FROM MALE TO FEMALE WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN POLE VAULTING IN THE GIRLS’ DIVISION LAST MONTH… 

NOW, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS GIVING THE STATE 10 DAYS TO RESCIND ITS POLICY ALLOWING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO COMPETE IN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AS PART OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION AGREEMENT AFTER IT FOUND THE STATE VIOLATED FEDERAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER LAST MONTH TO EXCLUDE TRANSGENDER GIRLS AND WOMEN FROM FEMALE-ONLY SPORTS – A DIRECTIVE SUPPORTERS SAY WILL RESTORE FAIRNESS.

CRITICS SAY IT INFRINGES ON THE RIGHTS OF A SMALL FRACTION OF ATHLETES.

THE ORDER DIRECTS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO MAKE SURE ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ENFORCE A BAN UNDER TRUMP’S INTERPRETATION OF TITLE NINE, A LAW AGAINST SEX DISCRIMINATION IN EDUCATION.

IN A STATEMENT, THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAID IT GAVE THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE MAINE PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION AND GREELY HIGH SCHOOL IN CUMBERLAND, MAINE, THE 10 DAY DEADLINE TO TAKE CARE THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OR IT WOULD PASS THE ISSUE ON TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THE ORDER COMES AFTER THE START OF A COMPLIANCE REVIEW LAST MONTH FOLLOWING A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR JANET MILLS AND PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

Is Maine here? the governor of Maine?

(Gov. Janet Mills, off camera: I’m here)

Are you not going to comply with it?

(Gov. Janet Mills, off camera: I’m complying with state and federal laws)

Well, we are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t. And by the way, your population, even though it’s somewhat liberal, although I did very well there, you population doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports.”

“I’ll follow the law.”

“So you better you better comply because otherwise you’re not getting any federal funding.”

“I’ll see you in court.”

“Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.”

THE CONFLICT PUT MAINE INTO THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT AND RECHARGED A DEBATE OVER GENDER AND SPORTS SPARKING PROTESTS IN THE STATE FROM BOTH SIDES.

LAST WEEK, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REVERSED ITS DECISION TO FREEZE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FUNDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM AFTER MAINE REPUBLICAN SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS INTERVENED. 

THE FUNDING HAD BEEN PAUSED EARLIER IN THE WEEK WHILE AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER U-M-S VIOLATED FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAW BY ALLOWING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE IN WOMEN’S SPORTS. 

IN 2021, MAINE LEGISLATORS UPDATED A STATE LAW TO EXPLICITLY PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER IDENTITY.

FOR SAN, I’M KARAH RUCKER. 

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