Sen. Susan Collins, R Maine, made her stance clear about whether trans athletes should compete in women's and women's sports on Monday.
In a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, Collins said that the Maine law that allows biological men to compete with girls and women is an antithesis to “the spirit and intention of Title IX.”
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Senator Susan Collins (Rich Boschne/Seacostson Line)
“We believe Maine is being scrutinized for state laws that allow biological men to play in girls’ sports, which is against the president’s executive order.
The state has refused to comply with President Donald Trump's executive orders to prevent biological men from competing in girls and women's sports. The Department of Health and Human Services' Civil Rights Office introduced the state's “non-violation with Title IX” to the Department of Justice on Friday.
“It's very important to treat people who are transgender with respect and dignity. But that doesn't change the fact that Title IX, passed in 1972, greatly expanded the opportunities for girls and young women to participate in organized sports at the high school and college level,” Collins added. “We did so in part by requiring equal access to athletic resources and facilities based on sex, not on gender identity. A safe and fair athletic competition is one of the keys to Title IX's success. As such, we do not believe that trans athletes should compete with girls and female athletes.
“I will continue to advocate that Maine will receive a significant portion of its federal funding.
Maine school officials explained why they refused to comply with Trump's executive orders on Monday.
Senator Susan Collins (image)
“The Maine Principal Association is bound by laws including the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA). “You cannot sign a resolution agreement that requires you to create a new policy that violates the law and the MHRA.
“As in this way, we have not signed, and we do not sign a resolution contract sent by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. Regarding the Civil Rights Office, the Federal Department of Education for the Resolution Agreement, we were not a direct recipient of that contract and we do not need to respond.”
Maine school officials explain why the state was “violated Title IX” after referral to DOJ
Main School Management District 51 also pointed out Maine Human Rights Act.
“The MSAD #51 Board of Directors is guided by our district's mission, vision and core values, including promoting a safe, compassionate, ethical learning environment where each person is treated with respect and fairness.
“To our students: Thank you for mature, patient and dedication to learning through these distractions. Stay steered.
Maine Legislature (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukati/File)
“For our teachers and staff: we are deeply grateful for our unwavering commitment to our students. Your dedication is appreciative of your resilience and compassion. Please note that this time the board's policies have not changed.
The Maine Human Rights Act was amended to add gender identity as a protected class four years ago, specifically stated that refusing equal opportunities to participate in sports is discrimination against education. The Main Principal Association has updated its policy to allow athletes to compete with the genders they identified as last year.
A University of New Hampshire poll released Thursday showed that 64% of Maine residents think that trans athletes “must not be” or “maybe not be involved in women's sports with “girls””. Only 29% of Maine residents believed that trans athletes should “perhaps think they should “be “undetectedly.”
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Maine Governor Janet Mills, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, and Maine Education Department, did not respond to requests for comment.
Julia Johnson and CB Cotton of Fox News contributed to this report.
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