Maine Defies Federal Ban on Male Athletes in Female Sports
Published May 4, 2025, 6:32 PM EDT
Maine is standing firm against President Trump’s executive order that prohibits males, regardless of gender identity, from participating in women’s sports. At a recent track event in Hiram, male athlete Soren Stark-Chessa dominated the girls’ competitions, winning both the 800-meter and 1,600-meter races, with a staggering 20-second lead in the latter. The close runner-up, Lilah Connor, expressed her frustration upon finishing second to Stark-Chessa.
This controversy isn’t new; Stark-Chessa, who is biologically male, previously competed on boys’ teams and is a recognized Maine state champion. In a hypothetical scenario, had Stark-Chessa raced among boys, rankings would have placed him in 12th and 8th for the respective events — clear evidence of the disparity and competitive advantage.
The federal government has filed a civil lawsuit against Maine, citing violations of Title IX due to allowing male athletes in women’s sports. In March, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determined that several Maine educational entities were noncompliant with federal regulations regarding gender inclusivity. Affected bodies were given ten days to address the issue or face legal action.
Despite this looming legal pressure, Governor Janet Mills has publicly defended the state’s stance, upholding the Maine Human Rights Act, which permits transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity. Mills engaged in a heated exchange with Trump, stating, "We’ll see you in court," signifying the state’s unwavering commitment.
As Maine continues to resist legal mandates aimed at promoting fairness in women’s sports, the future of competitive athletics in the state remains uncertain amid an escalating legal confrontation.
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