UPDATE: Maine Principal Association Responds
Dear Friends,
Earlier this year, we gathered alongside parents and community leaders united by a shared commitment to protect and strengthen our local schools. While we continue to look for progress on the national stage, the most meaningful change begins right here at home—with us.
I invite you to join me for an important evening on April 1 in Augusta dedicated to empowering parents and advocates like you to make a difference in your local communities. Now is the time to ensure our voices are heard and that our children’s private spaces and activities are protected.
The event will include interactive strategy sessions, expert panel discussions, networking opportunities for fellow parents and activists, and dinner will be provided.
Please RSVP here at your earliest convenience. I look forward to seeing you on April 1!
UPDATE: Maine Principal Association Responds
MPA Responds to MEI on Title IX, Gender Identity Participation Policy
Dear Friends,
Earlier this month, we shared with you a press release containing a letter the Maine Education Initiative sent to the Maine Principals' Association encouraging it to change its policy governing participation in girls' sports.
The MPA has since responded to the MEI through a letter from its legal team. In that letter, the MPA claims its hands are tied and they are unable to change their participation policy due to the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA). Click here to read the MPA's letter to the MEI.
In response, we issued a second letter to the MPA questioning why it was not until 2024 that the MPA modified its sports participation policy when the Legislature updated the MHRA to include "gender identity" in 2021. We also encouraged the MPA to use its powerful voice in this debate to support Legislative efforts to adjust the MHRA to clarify that men cannot play in women's sports. Our second letter to the MPA is available here.
We will be in touch if the MPA provides another response in this matter.
Sincerely,
Heidi Sampson
Urge the MPA to Amend Gender Identity Policy
Contact: Heidi Sampson
Executive Director, Maine Education Initiative
Email: Heidi@FixMaineSchools.com
Cell: 207.590.1909
Maine Education Initiative and Maine Girl Dads Urge MPA to
Amend Gender Identity Policy for Female Athletes’ Safety and Fairness
AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Education Initiative, a project of Maine Policy Institute, in collaboration with the Maine Girl Dads coalition, has released a formal letter urging the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) to amend its Gender Identity Participation Policy to ensure fairness and safety in girls’ sports. The letter, authored by Heidi H. Sampson, Director of the Maine Education Initiative, and Samuel J. Whiting, Esq., calls for immediate policy changes to protect female athletes and align with Title IX requirements.
The letter highlights legal concerns surrounding the MPA’s current policy, which allows male students identifying as female to compete in girls’ sports without a vetting process. It argues that this practice compromises competitive fairness and raises safety risks for female athletes. Additionally, the letter asserts that recent federal actions, including President Trump’s Executive Order 14201, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” reinforce Title IX protections for female athletes and require compliance from state and local education entities.
“The MPA’s policy, as it stands, is not only unfair but also places female athletes at risk,” said Heidi Sampson. “Title IX was designed to ensure equal athletic opportunities for women, and by allowing male athletes to compete in girls' sports, the MPA is violating the very principles that protect female athletes.”
The Maine Education Initiative argues that compliance with federal law is necessary to protect female athletes' rights and prevent potential liabilities for schools.
“We urge the MPA to act swiftly to amend its policy,” said Samuel J. Whiting, Esq. “Failure to do so not only contradicts legal precedent, but also risks serious consequences for Maine’s schools and student-athletes.”
The call for change is also strongly supported by Maine Girl Dads, a coalition of fathers advocating for their daughters’ rights in sports. Josh Tabor, a leader of the coalition, stressed the importance of protecting opportunities for young female athletes:
“Our daughters train hard, compete fairly, and deserve a level playing field. The MPA’s policy is stripping them of their right to fair competition and putting their safety at risk. Over 8,500 fathers in Maine have signed our petition to say enough is enough. We will not stand by while our girls are pushed aside. It’s time for the MPA to step up and protect female athletes,” Tabor said.
The petition can be found at www.MaineGirlDads.com.
The Maine Education Initiative and Maine Girl Dads warn that failure to amend the policy could result in legal consequences for both the MPA and its member schools, as the U.S. Department of Education has launched investigations into Title IX violations within Maine’s education system.
The Maine Education Initiative calls on the MPA to reconsider its stance and align its policies with federal Title IX regulations to uphold fairness and safety in girls’ sports.
The Maine Education Initiative is a project of Maine Policy Institute. The Maine Education Initiative’s mission is to empower parental involvement in K-12 education and encourage Maine school boards to adopt model policies that increase transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability in Maine public schools.
The full letter to the Maine Principals' Association can be read here
The Maine Education Initiative, a project of Maine Policy Institute, works to empower parental involvement in K-12 education and encourage Maine school boards to adopt model policies that increase transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability in Maine public schools.
Protect Maine Girls & Maine Schools, Please Sign
It is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls.
Please add your name so we can present the strongest possible coalition of Maine people to protect Maine girls from biological males in their sports and spaces.
Our young women are not our governor's priority:
https://x.com/i/status/1893631574882582930
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June 24 - Hands Around the Capitol
For 50 years we gathered to memorialize the loss of innocent, voiceless, unborn babies who were killed due to the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973. We came together as Hands Around The Capitol.
On June 24, 2022 the US Supreme Court reversed (corrected) this decision and took abortion out of the reach of the federal government, returning abortion policy to the states. This decision brings the decision to the Maine State House which means you! The people of Maine have a voice.
To give a forum for your voice, we again call Maine people to come to YOUR Maine State House on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Your attendance is a strong support for LIFE in Maine. The Maine Legislature needs to both hear and see your support. Note our new event time of 1pm to 4pm.
Schedule of Events
1:00 pm (Hall of Flags) there will be display tables from pro-life
organizations from across the state.
3:00 pm (Hall of Flags) for speakers to include Maine Right to
Life’s new Executive Director, Mike McClellan, Diocese of
Portland, Sen. Dick Bradstreet, Rep. Kartina Smith,
Students for Life, Turning Point USA, and Pregnancy
Resource Centers.
Initiate the Recall of Governor Janet Mills
Dear Citizens of Maine,
I am standing among many Maine citizens who are deeply dissatisfied with the policies introduced by our Governor, Janet Mills. I believe strongly that her policies are not in alignment with the wishes and values of the majority of Mainers. The feeling of disconnect between the populace and leadership is palpable and widespread. Various statistics underline rural-urban divide that has been exacerbated by the Governor's decisions. Additionally, several of her policies contradict the economic growth and prosperity that should be our government's priority. I am yet another citizen calling for change and improvement for our beloved state of Maine. It is imperative that we hold our elected officials accountable. I implore you to sign this petition to voice our collective dissent and to initiate the recall of Governor Janet Mills. Together we can work to ensure our government truly represents us all.
https://facebook.com/events/s/march-against-mills/644580324641604/
Click the picture to read and sign
Urge Congress to Protect Your Right To Carry
Please contact your member of Congress.
U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) has reintroduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38). Representative Hudson, the longstanding champion of this legislation, along with more than 120 of his colleagues have sponsored this bipartisan bill to provide nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders and residents of Constitutional Carry states. Please use the link below to contact your Member of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38).
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Committee To Allow States To Defund Planned Parenthood
Please sign this petition against Planned Parenthood
BREAKING NEWS: The U.S. Supreme Court JUST agreed to hear a case to defund Planned Parenthood. It's Jordan Sekulow with the ACLJ. States defunded Planned Parenthood after it was caught selling the body parts of aborted babies. Now the Supreme Court will decide whether they get to keep millions of YOUR tax dollars. This is the biggest abortion case since Dobbs and could save countless lives. We are preparing to file our Supreme Court brief, and we urgently need 251 of you from ME standing with us. Add your name to our petition to defund Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood aborts more than 392,000 innocent babies each year.
In the wake of the undercover videos that exposed Planned Parenthood’s gruesome sale of aborted babies' body parts, states across the country said enough is enough. They took legal and legislative action to defund Planned Parenthood – to stop giving our money to the abhorrent abortion industry.
Continue to read the article by clicking on the picture and remember to sign the petition.
Click the picture to read and sign