Senator Susan CollinsR-Maine, clarifies her position on whether trans athletes should participate in girls and women’s sports on Monday.
Collins said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital Maine Law This makes biomas compete with girls and women the opposite of “Title IX’s spirit and intention”.
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Senator Susan Collins (Rich Beauchesne/seacoastonline)
“I believe Maine has been under scrutiny because of state law that allows biological men to play a role in women’s sports. Not only does this fit into the president’s executive order, but I think it’s the spirit and intention of Title IX, which is to provide sport and other athletic activities for girls in a safe and equitable way.”
The state refuses to comply with the president Donald Trump’s Executives ordered to prevent biological males from participating in girls and women’s sports. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Civil Rights Office transferred the state’s “Break with Title IX” to the Department of Justice on Friday.
“Treat respect and dignity to trans people is very important. But this has not changed Title IX, adopted in 1972, greatly expanding the opportunity for girls and young women to participate in organized sports in high schools and colleges,” Collins added. “Part of this is done because, on a gender basis, it requires equal access to athletic resources and facilities, not on a gender-based basis. Safe and fair sports competition has always been one of the keys to Title IX’s success. That’s why I don’t believe that trans athletes should compete in girls and women’s sports.
“I will continue to advocate for Maine to obtain its fair share of federal funds, which I have successfully completed so far, but I support the initial intention behind Title IX.”
Maine school officials explained why they refused to comply with Trump’s executive orders on Monday.
Senator Susan Collins (Imagn)
“The Maine Principals Association is bound by law, including our participation in the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA) reflected in the policy,” officials wrote. “We are unable to sign any resolution agreements that will require authorization and we have developed a new policy that violates the law and the MHRA.
“So we have not signed and will not sign a resolution agreement signed by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. With regard to the Federal Department of Education, the Office of Civil Rights, the Resolution Agreement, we are not the direct recipients of the agreement, so we do not need to respond.”
Maine Schools Administrative District 51 also points to the Maine Human Rights Act.
“The MSAD #51 Board is guided by the mission, vision and core values of our region. This includes promoting a safe, caring and ethical learning environment in which everyone is treated respectfully and fairly; and individuals are recognized, valued and supported,” its letter reads.
“To our students: Thank you for your maturity, perseverance and dedication to learning through these disruptions. Please continue to lead.
Maine State Capitol (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty/File)
“To our teachers and staff: We are very grateful for your strong commitment to students. Your dedication has had a profound impact and we appreciate your resilience and compassion. Please note that no changes have occurred on the board policy at this time. We encourage you to continue to support every student socially and academically because you have it all the time.”
The Maine Human Rights Act was amended four years ago to increase gender identity as a protected class and specifically noted that denying an equal opportunity for a person to participate in sports is discrimination against education. The Maine Principals Association has updated its policies to allow athletes to compete with the gender they identified with last year.
A poll released Thursday by the University of New Hampshire found that 64% of Maine residents believe that trans athletes “absolutely shouldn’t” or “probably shouldn’t” participate in girls and women’s sports. Only 29% of Maine residents believe that trans athletes “probably should” or “absolutely should” compete with girls and women in sports.
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Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and Maine’s education department have not responded to requests for comment.
Fox News’s Julia Johnson and CB Cotton contributed to the report.
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