The Trump administration has accused Maine of violating Title IX, the federal law designed to ensure equal access to education and sports regardless of sex.
The dispute stems from the administration’s interpretation of Title IX, which argues that allowing transgender girls, whom it calls “biological boys,” to compete in girls sports undermines fairness and equal opportunity for cisgender female athletes.
The controversy gained traction after a Republican lawmaker’s social media post about a transgender athlete winning a girls competition in Maine went viral. In response, President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal education funding unless Maine complied with his executive order on Title IX.
Maine, however, follows a different interpretation. Under state law, gender identity, not biological sex, determines eligibility for competition. This stance is reinforced by Maine’s Civil Rights Act. Gov. Janet Mills has criticized the Trump administration’s investigation, calling it “predetermined,” and legal challenges are likely.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is advocating for clearer language in Title IX to address these conflicting interpretations. Collins, who entered college shortly after Title IX was enacted in 1972, recalled how the law expanded opportunities for female athletes.
However, she believes it was never intended to allow transgender girls to compete in girls sports.
In an interview with CBS 13, Collins argued that the current wording of Title IX leaves too much room for interpretation.
“That’s just unfair and unsafe,” Collins said.
Collins supports efforts to clarify Title IX, ensuring that transgender athletes do not compete on girls teams.
“Just this past weekend, I was in Portland watching the state high school basketball championship, which my hometown of Caribou won by one point. It was an exciting game,” Collins said. “I don’t think it would have been fair if a biological male, identifying as transgender, had played on either team. It would have tilted the playing field in a really unfair way.”
With legal battles likely on the horizon, Maine’s policy, and the federal government’s stance, could set a precedent for how Title IX is enforced nationwide.
