Maine GOP Proposes Bills Limiting Transgender Student Protections

Maine lawmakers are set to debate a series of Republican-backed bills aiming to restrict protections for transgender students, including bans on transgender girls participating in girls' sports, limits on bathroom and locker room access, and challenges to gender identity protections in the Maine Human Rights Act. These measures reflect a broader national trend, with dozens of states enacting or considering similar laws, and follow heightened scrutiny after former President Trump targeted Maine's inclusive policies and threatened federal funding. The proposals, which face uncertain prospects in the Democratic-controlled legislature, are framed by supporters as necessary for fairness and safety in athletics and student spaces, while opponents argue they would undermine civil rights and subject all students to invasive procedures. The debate comes amid ongoing federal investigations and lawsuits over Maine's policies, as well as a recent settlement that restored federal funding previously frozen in response to the state's support for transgender rights. Despite prevailing in recent legal challenges, Maine now finds itself at the center of a national debate over the interpretation of Title IX and the rights of transgender students. Advocates warn that rolling back these protections could set a precedent for broader erosions of civil rights.