Transgender

Critics say the movement to ban transgender athletes from girls' sports doesn't have anything to do with fairness.

Bills that would rollback transgender rights and ban them from participating on girls' sports teams are receiving more scrutiny amid the Trump administration's lawsuit against Maine.

Several proposals aim to reverse gender identity protections in the Maine Human Rights Act that have existed for years, but have drawn repeated criticism from Republicans and President Donald Trump.

On Friday, the judge ordered the State Department to issue passports to six of seven transgender and nonbinary plaintiffs while their lawsuit plays out in court. Maine state law still allows for a person to select X as their gender marker or change their sex designation on state IDs like drivers licenses.

Federal officials said they were launching administrative proceedings to terminate grants to Maine after state officials refused to comply with the Trump administration's demand that Maine ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins notified Gov. Janet Mills of the funding freeze last week, warning that "this is only the beginning" unless the state complies with the Trump administration's ban on transgender athletes.

In Maine, individuals can still get IDs and birth certificates to reflect their gender identity, but many are confused about how they align with new federal requirements and whether it's safe for them to travel.

Rep. Laurel Libby has been barred from speaking or voting on the House floor since last month since she was censured over controversial Facebook posts. But the Auburn Republican says that violates hers and her constituents' rights.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Education is giving Maine until April 11 to comply with the Trump administration's interpretation of Title IX.

Both SAD 51 and the Maine Principals' Association say they will continue to follow Maine's nondiscrimination law. But Attorney General Pam Bondi has already warned that Maine could face lawsuits unless it complied with Trump administration directives.