Maine athlete praises Trump for doing what state leaders won’t — protect girls’ sports

A high school female track and field athlete is praising President Donald Trump for taking a stand to protect women from biological males competing against them in sports. Zoe, a shot put competitor at Maine’s Class B state indoor championship meet, expressed her gratitude for the president’s decision to cut federal funding to Maine over its refusal to comply with Trump’s order. Zoe stated that state lawmakers have failed female athletes and that there needs to be consequences for their neglect.

The controversy arose when Katie Spencer, who had previously competed as a male named John Rydzewski, won the women’s pole-vaulting state championship by out-jumping every other female by half a foot. Spencer’s victory played a crucial role in Greely High School’s track and field team winning the Class B state championship meet by just a single point. Following this event, Trump announced that Maine would lose public funding until the issue was resolved.

Republican Maine state Rep. Laurel Libby echoed Zoe’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of federal intervention to address the issue. Despite amendments to the state’s Human Rights Act to include gender identity protections, Libby highlighted the unlikelihood of state leaders repealing these laws.

The Maine Principals’ Association, the governing body for high school athletics in the state, cited conflicts with state laws aimed at protecting human rights in response to Trump’s executive order. Civil rights attorney Sarah Perry emphasized the potential consequences of defying federal directives, including the risk of losing funding and facing Title IX investigations.

Libby expressed disappointment over the lack of enforcement at the state level, emphasizing the need for federal intervention to protect female athletes. She noted that many competitors were unaware they would be competing against biological males until the state championship meet, indicating a larger issue in Maine regarding women’s rights in athletics.

Trump’s decision to withhold federal funding until Maine complies with his order garnered mixed reactions, with Governor Janet Mills engaging in a verbal exchange with the president during a meeting at the White House. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed the legality of Trump’s executive actions and vowed to uphold the promises made to the American people.

In conclusion, the debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports continues to spark controversy and calls for federal intervention to protect the integrity of female athletics. Zoe and other female athletes are hopeful that steps will be taken to address the issue and ensure fair competition in sports.