AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Department of Education has decided not to follow a recent executive order from President Trump regarding gender identification. This order states that the U.S. government will recognize only two genders: male and female. However, the Department clarified that this order only applies to the federal government and does not impact state laws or local school policies.
Maine schools must continue to follow the Maine Human Rights Act. This act includes protections against discrimination based on various factors, including race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, and age. It also protects individuals from retaliation for asserting their rights under this law.
Mary Bonauto from GLAD Law spoke about the executive order, asserting that it cannot override the U.S. Constitution. She emphasized that existing federal and state laws set clear legal precedents. Bonauto noted, “Maine law remains Maine law. It’s crucial for everyone to consider this in terms of their jobs and education.”
The federal response to this executive order has begun. Just recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed the State Department to pause passport applications for individuals selecting “X” as their gender marker.
Overall, Maine’s laws prioritize the protection of all individuals, and the state will maintain its commitment to these rights despite the federal order.
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Source linkGender policy, Maine Gender policy, Maine DOE, Maine Department of Education, Trump's executive order
