It all started with a pole vault. A transgender girl from Greely High School in Cumberland, Maine, won an event at a February track meet — and suddenly found herself at the center of a national firestorm. What should’ve been a day of celebration for a young athlete turned into a political flashpoint when a conservative state lawmaker splashed her name and old photos across social media, making her the latest target of anti-trans fury.
Cue former President Donald Trump, who wasted no time turning the moment into a battleground for his war on transgender student athletes. With an executive order banning trans girls from competing on female sports teams, Trump demanded that Maine fall in line — or lose its federal education funding.
But Maine’s response? “See you in court.”
A Fight Over Rights and Identity
For the students of Greely High — known for its progressive values and rainbow flags hanging proudly in classroom windows — this attack felt deeply personal. “It feels like the entire team is being attacked,” said sophomore track team member Cora Berry. “We’re just kids trying to be who we are.”
Trump’s administration quickly escalated the conflict, threatening to pull over $200 million in education funding from Maine’s schools unless the state bans transgender girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. The move would devastate school programs, especially those supporting low-income students and kids with disabilities.
But Maine’s leaders — including Governor Janet Mills and Attorney General Aaron Frey — aren’t blinking. They insist they will follow the state’s Human Rights Act, which allows transgender athletes to compete on teams matching their identity.
“This is not about sports,” said Gia Drew, head of EqualityMaine. “This is about power and politics. They’re using kids to score points.”
The LGBTQ Community Rallies
For the LGBTQ community in Maine and beyond, this fight is about far more than just high school sports. It’s about dignity, safety, and the right to exist without fear or discrimination.
Hundreds rallied outside Greely High in March, waving pride flags and signs that read “See You In Court.” Students like Vi Walsh, a queer senior, called it inspiring. “These adults decided to target a child,” she said. “In what world is that acceptable?”
The Trump administration’s tactics — including freezing lunch program funds and threatening disability grants — have only galvanized support for the school’s trans students. In a state known for its rugged independence, the message is clear: the LGBTQ community won’t be erased.
What’s at Stake for LGBTQ Rights
Make no mistake — the outcome of this battle could set a precedent for the entire country. If Trump succeeds in stripping federal funds from Maine over its trans-inclusive policies, other states could be next. But if Maine wins in court, it will send a powerful signal that LGBTQ students have the right to compete, to belong, and to be themselves — without apology.
As Jeff Porter, the school district superintendent, put it: “Our obligation is to follow Maine law at this time.”
And for the students at Greely High — and LGBTQ youth everywhere — that law means one thing: you have the right to run, to vault, to throw, to play — just like anyone else.