Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, made clear her position on whether transgender athletes should compete in girls and women sports on Monday.
Collins said in a statement obtained by Pak Gazette Digital that a state law of Maine that allows biological men to compete against girls and women is the antithesis of the “spirit and intention of title IX.”
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Senad Susan Collins (Rich Beauchesne/SeacaStonline)
“I think that the state of Maine is under scrutiny due to the state law that allows biological men to play in the sports of girls. And that is the opposite, not only for the president’s executive order, but what I think is the spirit and intention of the title IX, which was to provide sports and other athletic activities to the girls in a safe and fair way,” Collins wrote.
The State refused to comply with the executive order of President Donald Trump to prevent biological men from competing in girls and women’s sports. The Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services referred to the “breach of the State with Title IX” to the Department of Justice on Friday.
“It is vital importance to treat transgender people with respect and dignity. But that does not change the fact that title IX, which was approved in 1972, has expanded opportunities for young girls and women to participate in sports organized in the levels of high school and university school,” added Collins. “He did, in part, by demanding the same access to athletic resources and facilities on the basis of sex, not on the basis of gender identity. Safe and fair athletic competition has been one of the keys to the success of title IX. That is why I do not believe that transgender athletes should compete in athletics of girls and women.
“I will continue advocating that Maine receives a good amount of federal funds, something that I have done successfully so far, but support the original intention behind the title IX.”
Maine’s school officials explained why they refused to comply with Trump’s executive order on Monday.
Senad Susan Collins (IMAGN)
“The Association of Directors of Maine is obliged by law, including the Maine Human Rights Law (MHRA), which reflects our participation policy,” the authorities wrote. “We cannot sign any resolution agreement that orders that we believe a new policy that violates law and MHRA.
“As such, we have not signed and we will not sign the Resolution Agreement sent by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. With respect to the Federal Education Department, the Office of Civil Rights, the Resolution Agreement, we were not a direct recipient of that agreement, so we are not obliged to respond.”
Maine’s school officials explain why the State was in ‘Failure to comply with title IX’ after the derivation to the DOJ
Administrative District 51 of the Maine School also pointed out the Maine Human Rights Law.
“The Board of Directors of MSAD #51 is guided by the mission, vision and central values of our district. This includes promoting a safe, attentive and ethical learning environment where each person will be treated with respect and equity; and people are recognized, valued and supported,” reads in their letter.
“To our students: thanks for their maturity, perseverance and dedication to learning through these distractions. Continue to lead the way.
THE MAINE STATE HOUSE (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty/File)
“For our teachers and personnel: we deeply appreciate their unwavering commitment to our students. His dedication has a deep impact, and we are grateful for their resilience and compassion. Keep in mind that no policy of the Board has changed at this time. We recommend that you continue supporting each student, socially and academically, as it has always been.”
Maine’s Human Rights Law was modified four years ago to add gender identity as a protected class and specifically declared that denying an equal opportunity to participate in sports is discrimination against education. The Association of Directors of Maine updated its policy to allow athletes to compete against the genre that they identify as last year.
A survey from the University of New Hampshire published Thursday showed that 64% of Maine’s residents believe that transgender athletes “should definitely not” or “probably not” participate in sports of girls and women. Only 29% of Maine’s residents believed that transgender athletes “should probably” or “should” compete against girls and women in sports.
The governor of Maine, Janet Mills, Maine’s attorney general, Aaron Frey, and the Maine Department of Education have not responded to requests for comments.
