The executive director of Maine’s high school sports governing body said teams will still determine eligibility based on a student’s gender identity. This decision stands despite the president’s executive order aimed at banning “men from women’s sports.”
Mike Burnham, executive director of the Maine Principals Association (MPA), said the president’s order conflicts with Maine state law. Since state law protects human rights, the MPA will continue to follow it for athletic eligibility.
“The executive order and our Maine state Human Rights Act are in conflict,” Burnham said to Maine Public. “The Maine Principals Association will continue to follow state law as it pertains to gender identity.”
Burnham clarified in a statement that the MPA instructed all Maine schools to adhere to the Maine Human Rights Act. He also mentioned monitoring any federal and state updates and adjusting the policy if necessary.
While the NCAA revised its rules for transgender athletes, Maine is one of the few states still allowing transgender women to compete on women’s teams. This decision aligns with Maine’s existing laws.
Trump’s executive order directed federal agencies to end male participation in women’s sports for fairness and safety. It also required Title IX enforcement, threatening to pull federal funding from non-compliant institutions.
“Many governing bodies lack official positions on trans-identifying athletes,” Trump’s order stated. “Some allow men to compete in women’s categories if they lower their testosterone or provide proof of a gender identity.”
Minnesota and California have similar policies, deferring to their state laws. Michigan’s youth sports body, however, is seeking clarification on conflicts between the federal order and state law.
Civil rights attorney Sarah Perry said states defying Trump’s order risk losing federal funding. They could also face Title IX investigations and legal consequences.
“The Biden administration lost multiple federal lawsuits challenging Title IX policies on gender identity,” Perry said. “A Kentucky court recently vacated the rule entirely.”
Perry warned states could be forced to comply under legal pressure. “When the federal investigations and purse strings tighten, this could change very quickly,” she added.