How Maine Became Ground Zero in the Fight for Girls’ Sports: Earlier this month, Maine State Representative Laurel Libby sparked national attention when she was censured by the Maine Speaker of the House after defending girls’ sports when a biological male won the Maine high school girls’ pole-vaulting championship — just ONE year after he competed and placed fifth as a male. Despite being stripped of her right to vote and speak on the House floor, Rep. Libby has continued to sound the alarm as Maine refuses to comply with Title IX resulting in biological males being permitted to compete against girls.
The Facts: President Trump recently signed the Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports Executive Order, which restores Title IX to its original meaning and intent based on biological sex, not “gender identity.” Title IX was meant to protect opportunities for girls, not erase them. However, the Maine Principals’ Association and Maine Governor Janet Mills refused to comply with the change, allowing biological males to compete in Maine high school sports. And on March 27th, Maine officials formally announced they are refusing to sign a letter of compliance on the Trump Administration’s Title IX policy, opening themselves up to a legal showdown with the U.S. Department of Justice.
President Trump Gets Involved: President Trump confronted Gov. Mills at a White House event and threatened to cut off certain federal funding to Maine over their refusal to comply with the restored Title IX rules. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Maine and other states to comply with Title IX and President Trump’s EO, stating, “This Department of Justice will defend women and does not tolerate state officials who ignore federal law.” In his Joint Address to Congress, President Trump emphasized how states will lose certain federal funding if they do not follow Title IX.
Senate Democrats’ Failure to Stand Up for Women: Earlier this month, United States Senate Democrats had the opportunity to join Republicans to advance the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would keep biological males from competing in women’s and girls’ sports nationwide. Instead of voting for common sense, not one Senate Democrat voted in favor, blocking the bill from passing.
The Fight is Not Over: After her censure, Rep. Libby fought back and filed a lawsuit against the Maine Speaker of the House to restore her voting rights and represent her constituents.
American Parents Coalition Poll Reveals Strong Support in Maine for Sports Participation Based on Biological Sex: A poll commissioned by American Parents Coalition found strong opposition to the statewide policies allowing boys to participate in girls’ sports. The poll also found that Mainers support parental rights, with 72% of Maine respondents agreeing that schools should be required to notify a student’s parents before counseling a student about changing his/her gender identity.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Unfortunately, the fight to protect girls’ sports is not over. Do you live in a state where your leadership is flouting Title IX? Here is a sample letter you can use to make your voice heard.
OTHER NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW
OTHER NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
ALABAMA STATE WORKERS, TEACHERS GET PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Alabama teachers and state workers will be able to have paid parental leave beginning in July. For females, this means eight weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth, stillbirth or miscarriage of a child. Males will receive two weeks of leave under the same circumstances. Read more here.
LAWTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SOON TO HOST FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASS AIMED AT CHILDREN: In Lawton, Oklahoma, the Lawton Public Library will soon be hosting a class aimed at helping children improve their financial literacy in recognition of April being Finacial Literacy Month. The class is aimed at children ages 4 through 9 and will center around learning money recognition and money math through a fun game. Read more here.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ASKS SCOTUS TO APPROVE DEI-RELATED EDUCATION CUTS: The Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court seeking approval to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in grants from the Education Department as part of its efforts to crack down on DEI initiatives within the department. The Justice Department is asking the court to lift a nationwide injunction which is preventing it from terminating the grants under two federal programs. Read more here.
KENTUCKY SCIENCE CENTER APOLOGIZES FOR DISTRIBUTION OF ‘ADULT’ COLORING BOOK TO KIDS AT RECENT EVENT: The Kentucky Science Center apologized Wednesday, claiming Planned Parenthood distributed an “Adult” coloring book to a group of 8 to 13-year-old public school students. The center posted a message Wednesday afternoon saying they, “sincerely apologize for the distribution of a Planned Parenthood coloring book at our recent Health and Wellness Days event.” Planned Parenthood disputes the coloring book was distributed, saying it’s “part of a coordinated attempt to stir outrage and manufacture controversy.” Read more here.
Thanks for reading the latest edition of the American Parents Coalition’s The Lookout. If you have a troubling story to share about a school, doctor, company, or other institution working to usurp parents’ rights, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected].
