In the ongoing debate over transgender athletes in school sports, Riley Gaines, a prominent figure in the anti-trans movement, recently made headlines during an interview with Fox News. On April 16, 2025, Gaines, co-chair of the dark money-funded Nine PAC, drew controversial parallels between trans athletes, Marxism, and alleged dark money influences during a Department of Justice press conference. This event was sparked by the Trump administration's decision to deny federal funding for school nutrition programs in Maine, reportedly due to the presence of two transgender girls in the state.
Gaines expressed her frustrations, stating, "I personally have been fighting this fight for three years. I feel so angered that, here we are as women, basically begging for fair treatment, begging for equal opportunities, begging for privacy in areas of undressing, begging for safety in our sports and beyond." She claimed that what women are asking for is merely the "bare minimum" in terms of equality and safety.
However, the assertions made by Gaines lack substantial backing. Research funded by the International Olympic Committee indicates that medically transitioning may actually render trans female athletes weaker than their cisgender counterparts. This contradicts Gaines's claims about trans women posing a danger to cisgender women in sports. During the Fox News segment, the host pointed out that Governor Janet Mills of Maine had stated there are only two transgender individuals in the entire state, questioning the rationale behind cutting federal funding.
In response to concerns about safety, Gaines recounted conversations with girls who allegedly suffered severe injuries in sports, such as having their teeth knocked out during field hockey or experiencing career-ending injuries in volleyball and softball. She posed a provocative question to Governor Mills: "How many does it take? Two? Three? Five? Is it five girls being injured? Is it an entire [women's] Olympic team being made up of men?" However, there is no documented evidence supporting her claims of widespread injuries caused by trans athletes.
Gaines further asserted that the push for trans athletes is driven by financial motives and fear of being labeled as transphobic or racist, claiming it is rooted in Marxist ideology. She stated, "Number one, I believe it's driven by money. It's a movement driven by money, we see that on the medicalization side of things, we see that on the corporate side of things, we see that ... in Hollywood." This statement reflects a broader trend among anti-trans activists who often invoke conspiracy theories without substantial evidence.
In contrast, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey recently expressed confidence in the state's position regarding Title IX and its implications for transgender athletes. Following the DOJ's lawsuit against the Maine Department of Education, Frey emphasized that the federal government has not cited any legal cases beyond the president's executive order, which he noted has no legal weight. "The presidential executive order has no weight of law. It is not the law. The president doesn't get to create the law," Frey stated.
Frey acknowledged a disconnect between public sentiment regarding transgender athletes and the legal interpretations of Title IX and the Maine Human Rights Act. He reiterated his commitment to following the law as it is written, rather than swaying public opinion. "If folks don't like the law, if folks believe that there's something about what has been passed that they'd like to see changed, go to the Legislature, go to Congress to have that change made," he advised.
His remarks come amid rising tensions, as some school districts, like MSAD 70 in Aroostook County, have voted to align with the Trump administration's interpretation of Title IX. Frey warned that such actions could be inconsistent with the law and the Maine Human Rights Act, potentially leading to legal ramifications.
As the debate intensifies, both sides are preparing for a potential Supreme Court case that could provide clarity on the issue. Frey anticipates that the case will work its way through the appellate system, ultimately requiring the Supreme Court to offer definitive guidance. He expressed concern over the current political climate, noting that the focus on transgender athletes may serve as a distraction from more pressing issues, such as economic challenges faced by the administration.
In this contentious environment, the narratives surrounding transgender athletes continue to evolve. While Gaines and her supporters argue for the exclusion of trans women from women's sports, advocates for transgender rights emphasize the importance of inclusion and the lack of evidence supporting claims of harm. The ongoing legal battles and public discourse will likely shape the future of transgender participation in sports, as well as broader societal attitudes toward transgender individuals.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the discourse surrounding transgender rights remains fraught with emotion and division. The stakes are high, not just for the athletes involved, but for the principles of equality and fairness that underpin the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. The outcome of these debates will undoubtedly influence the landscape of sports, education, and civil rights for years to come.
