April 14, 2025 | Augusta, ME
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Monday that she is filing a lawsuit against the state of Maine, alleging the state is violating federal Title IX protections by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports.
At a press conference held in Washington, D.C., Bondi claimed that Maine’s refusal to implement a ban on transgender athletes participating in female athletic competitions “denies biological girls a fair playing field” and undermines the principles of equal opportunity in school sports.
“Girls across this country are being told to step aside — that their athletic dreams don’t matter,” Bondi said. “By refusing to act, Maine is putting ideology over fairness and science. We’re taking this fight to the courts to protect the integrity of women’s sports.”
Bondi, who now leads a legal advocacy group focused on education and civil liberties, filed the lawsuit on behalf of a group of Maine parents and high school athletes. The lawsuit argues that the state’s policies violate the original intent of Title IX — the federal civil rights law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program receiving federal funding.
The legal action targets the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), the organization that oversees high school athletics in the state. The MPA currently allows transgender athletes to participate in sports in accordance with their gender identity, a policy it says reflects inclusivity and is consistent with current state guidelines.
Maine Governor Janet Mills’ office responded to the announcement late Monday, stating, “We believe every student should be treated with dignity and respect. Our policies are in line with federal guidance and ensure that all students, including those who are transgender, are able to participate in school life fully and equally.”
The case is likely to reignite a broader national debate over transgender inclusion in youth and collegiate sports. Several states, including Florida, Texas, and Montana, have passed laws in recent years banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, while others have defended inclusive policies as a matter of civil rights.
Legal experts say the outcome of this case could set a significant precedent, especially as courts continue to grapple with how Title IX applies to gender identity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision, which expanded federal workplace protections to LGBTQ individuals.
Bondi said she expects the lawsuit to reach federal court within weeks and vowed to pursue the case “all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.”
As of now, Maine’s education and athletic officials have not indicated any changes to their current policies.
