Maine School District Aligns with Trump's Stance on Trans Athletes
A Maine school district has voted to ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports, aligning with President Trump’s executive order.
In a unanimous decision, the MSAD #70 School Board in Hodgdon, Maine, voted to adhere to the current federal definition of Title IX, which recognizes only biological males and females for sports participation. This decision directly impacts transgender athletes, preventing them from competing in girls’ sports within the district. Superintendent Tyler Putnam has been directed to revise the district’s policies to reflect this stance, emphasizing separation based on biological sex in all private spaces and athletic teams.
This move by MSAD #70 places the district in alignment with President Donald Trump’s February executive order, which seeks to ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports nationwide. Despite this, Maine’s state government, under Governor Janet Mills, has resisted the federal mandate, leading to legal battles and funding disputes with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The decision has been met with support from local Republican representatives, including state Rep. Tracy Quint, who praised the school board for prioritizing student welfare and fairness. However, it has also sparked controversy and legal challenges, as seen in the case of state Rep. Laurel Libby, who faced censure for identifying a transgender athlete on social media.
The debate over transgender inclusion in sports continues to divide opinions, with a recent survey by the American Parents Coalition indicating strong public support for sports participation based on biological sex. As the legal and political battles unfold, the focus remains on how these policies affect students and the future of sports in Maine.