“We’ve Had Enough!” Mainers Turn on Governor Janet Mills Over School Gender Rules

Tensions in Maine have reached a boiling point as growing numbers of residents express frustration with Governor Janet Mills over the state’s school policies involving transgender students. What began as routine enforcement of existing civil-rights protections has now erupted into a statewide political backlash, with parents, school boards, and community groups saying they have “had enough” of what they view as state-imposed gender rules.

The controversy centers on Maine’s long-standing interpretation of the Maine Human Rights Act, which requires schools to treat transgender students according to their gender identity. This includes participation in sports, access to bathrooms and locker rooms, and recognition in school records. For years, these protections sparked scattered debates, but the situation intensified dramatically after federal agencies—under pressure from the current presidential administration—accused Maine of violating Title IX by allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports.

The federal findings set off shockwaves across the state. Greely High School and the Department of Education were singled out as being out of compliance, prompting widespread concern that Maine could face legal consequences or the loss of federal funding. Almost immediately, local communities began to mobilize.

One of the clearest signs of the growing revolt came from MSAD 70 in Hodgdon, where the school board voted to reject the state’s guidelines and recognize only biological sex in sports and facilities use. The vote was met with applause from many residents who said the decision reflected “the will of the community.” The move emboldened other districts to consider similar actions, signaling a widening disconnect between local sentiment and Augusta’s policymaking.

Anger toward Governor Mills grew as residents accused her administration of ignoring concerns about fairness, privacy, and safety in school environments. Critics argue that the policies disadvantage cisgender girls in competitive sports and impose ideological views on students without broader public consent. For these groups, the issue has become a symbol of deeper frustrations over state overreach and the perception that national political pressure is being imposed on Maine’s local schools.

Mills, however, has maintained that her administration is simply upholding civil-rights laws designed to protect vulnerable students from discrimination. She has characterized the issue as “worthy of debate,” though many opponents viewed the remark as evasive at a moment when communities were demanding decisive action. Supporters of the governor argue that rolling back protections would expose transgender students to bullying, exclusion, and unequal treatment—harms that the state has spent years trying to prevent.

Yet the political landscape has shifted. Public demonstrations have grown larger and more vocal. Editorial boards, local officials, and parent groups have intensified their criticism, calling for clearer state guidance or a full reassessment of the policy. The dispute has also become a flashpoint in ongoing debates about states’ rights, federal authority, and the limits of government power in local education.

As more school boards consider breaking from state policy, Maine now finds itself at the center of a national culture-war battle. Whether Governor Mills will stand firm, compromise, or revise the rules remains uncertain. But one reality is unmistakable: a significant portion of Mainers believe the state’s gender policies no longer reflect their values—and they are determined to make their voices heard.