Maine's public schools refuse to comply with Trump's order on transgender ideology
Maine's Department of Education (DOE) issued a statement on Tuesday that expressed its opposition to President Donald Trump's day-one
executive order, which officially recognizes that there are only two genders and safeguards women-only spaces from males.
"The Executive Order 'Defending Women From Gender ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government' applies to the Federal government/Federal government agencies only and does not inhibit the force of Maine law or locally-adopted school board policies," the state DOE said in its
priority notice.
Maine's DOE contended that local school boards are obligated to adhere to the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA) in addition to being reminded that President Trump's order only applies to federal institutions.
"In Maine, we know that every student deserves a safe and equitable school environment," the statement continued. "Maine's non-discrimination laws, which apply to all schools, reinforce the goals of safety, equal opportunity, and a level playing field for all students. These laws are a commitment to each student to provide a safe learning environment where the young person can progress. Laws also deter the harassment and bullying that make students unsafe and undermine learning, participation, and attendance."
The crux of Trump's order highlights the harm that can come from gender ideology by allowing men to enter women-only spaces, such as
prisons and female sports.
"My Administration will defend women's rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male," Trump
said.
The order prohibits the housing of inmates based on gender identity rather than sex and prohibits the use of federal funds for medical procedures that are intended to "conform an inmate's appearance to that of the opposite sex."
While schools were not explicitly mentioned in Trump's order, it did revoke all Biden-era decrees and directives that backed gender ideology. Additionally, the order mandates that official documents, such as passports or driver's licenses, only designate biological sex, not gender identity. It also acknowledges the existence of only two genders, male and female.
