In a recent report by Parents Defending Education (PDE), it was revealed that more than 50 school districts in Maine have implemented policies that allow minors to conceal their gender identity from their parents. This move has sparked controversy and drawn attention to the ongoing debate surrounding transgender rights and parental involvement in children’s lives.
The PDE, a grassroots organization dedicated to monitoring gender ideologies in schools across the nation, conducted public records requests to confirm that at least 57 out of the state’s 192 school districts have policies in place that exclude parents from knowing whether their children identify with a different gender. This development comes in the wake of a public clash between President Donald Trump and Democrat Maine Governor Janet Mills, as Trump criticized her for not enforcing his “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order.
Erika Sanzi, a spokesperson for PDE, expressed her dismay over the situation, stating, “It was totally unsurprising to see the governor of Maine go to the mat to keep males in women’s sports when over 50 school districts in Maine have written policies to deceive parents about their own child.” Sanzi emphasized the importance of parental awareness and public opinion in shaping school policies, urging districts to reconsider their stance on the issue.
Portland Public Schools Policy
One striking example cited in the report is the policy adopted by Portland Public Schools, the largest district in the state, regarding transgender and gender expansive students. The policy states that if a student and their parent or legal guardian disagree on the student’s gender identity or expression, the school must respect the student’s wishes while at school. This includes upholding the student’s choice regarding the disclosure of their transgender status to others, such as parents, students, volunteers, or school staff.
This policy, similar to others across the state, remains in effect despite Trump’s executive order aimed at preventing what he termed “radical indoctrination” in K-12 schooling. The order specifically addresses concerns about parental consent in cases of gender transition procedures and access to gender-specific facilities, emphasizing the protection of parental rights under federal laws.
Trump’s Response and Threats
President Trump’s strong stance on the issue was evident in his remarks at a recent gathering of Republican governors, where he expressed his disbelief at the continued allowance of men in women’s sports in Maine. Trump vowed to withhold federal funding from the state until the policies were revised, highlighting his commitment to ensuring fairness, safety, and truth in athletic competitions.
The executive order signed by Trump underscores the administration’s dedication to upholding Title IX regulations and safeguarding women’s sports from male participation. It mandates a review of grants, programs, and policies that do not align with the efforts to prevent male entry into female sports, threatening to withdraw federal funding from educational institutions and athletic organizations that fail to comply.
In response to the growing dissent among blue states, including California and Minnesota, regarding the executive order, Maine finds itself at the center of a national debate on transgender rights and parental involvement in children’s decisions. The state’s Department of Education has yet to issue a statement on the matter, leaving the situation unresolved and tensions high among all parties involved.
Jamie Joseph, a U.S. Politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering transgender and culture issues, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and stateside legislative developments, continues to monitor the unfolding events in Maine and across the country. As the debate rages on, the clash between parental rights, transgender rights, and federal mandates underscores the complex intersection of policy, ideology, and personal identity.
