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Thank you to the Bangor Daily News for the extensive coverage of the recent determination by the Trump administration that Maine’s transgender-inclusive athletic policies violate Title IX.
To clarify one important point that I don’t think has received sufficient attention: This determination fundamentally — and deliberately, I believe — misinterprets the essence of Title IX.
Title IX was enacted to eliminate sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, ensuring equal opportunities for all students. Maine’s policy, which allows transgender girls to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity, aligns with this objective by promoting inclusivity and equal access (note: while Title IX guarantees equal educational access, it does not guarantee equality of outcome, for example, in athletic contests). The administration’s stance seeks to marginalize transgender students, effectively endorsing discrimination under the guise of protecting fairness.
The administration’s finding against Maine’s transgender-inclusive athletic policies thus represents a step backward in the pursuit of justice. We must advocate for policies that uphold the rights of all students, resisting efforts that seek to divide and discriminate.
Mark Tappan
Alexander
