#MaineResists! #Maine officials refuse to sign #Trump agreement on #TransgenderAthletes
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said earlier this month that it would give state and local officials in Maine 10 days to sign a proposed agreement banning transgender athletes or the state would risk referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.
by Rachel Ohm, March 27, 2025
"Leaders of the Maine Principals’ Association and Greely High School say they will not sign a proposed agreement from the Trump administration requiring Maine to stop allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ high school sports.
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gave the Maine Department of Education, Maine Principals’ Association and Greely High School 10 days to sign a proposed resolution agreement in response to its findings that Maine violated federal #TitleIX law by allowing a transgender high school student to compete in a girls’ indoor track championship last month.
Thursday marks 10 days since the Maine entities were notified of #DHHS’ findings and presented with a proposed resolution.
"'In a letter to the community Thursday, the school board of School Administrative District 51, which includes Greely High School, said the district will not sign the agreement.
"'As stated during our Board meeting on March 6th, MSAD 51 will continue to follow state law and the #MaineHumanRightsAct (#MHRA),' the letter said. 'Compliance with the proposed (agreement) would be a violation of current Maine law.'
"A spokesperson for the #MPA said Wednesday it also will not sign the agreement. The MPA also sent a letter to DHHS last week saying the federal agency doesn’t have any jurisdiction over the private non-profit organization and asking it to dismiss its finding of a violation.
"'The Maine Principals’ Association is bound by the law, including the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which our participation policy reflects,' the MPA said in a statement Wednesday. 'We are unable to sign any resolution agreement that would mandate we create a new policy that would violate the law and MHRA. As such, we have not signed and will not sign the resolution agreement sent by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.'"
[...]
"The Trump administration has said it could refer the findings to the U.S. Department of Justice if the agreement is not signed. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also threatened to sue Maine if the state refuses to comply with Trump’s executive order calling for a nationwide ban on transgender student-athletes.
Read more:
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/27/maine-officials-refuse-to-sign-trump-administrations-proposed-agreement-on-transgender-athletes/
Archived version:
https://archive.md/itxCl
#Resistance #ResistAuthoritarianism #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransgenderRights #TrumpIsABully #USPol #District13