The debate over sexual health education has taken center stage once again in the United States. In 2025, sixteen states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully threatening to strip funding from programs that include teaching about gender diversity.
At the heart of this legal fight is Maine, standing alongside states across the nation to defend the rights of transgender and gender-diverse students.
Why Maine Joined the Lawsuit
The Charlie Kirk Movement may be dominating headlines for polarization in politics, but education policy is fueling another battle. Maine joined the coalition after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued new conditions for funding under two key grant programs. The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and the Title V Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) program [Source: AP News].
HHS threatened to revoke grants unless schools removed language acknowledging diverse gender identities from their sexual health curricula. Officials in Maine and other states argue that this demand violates federal law and harms students by erasing recognition of their identities.
Federal Programs at Risk
PREP and SRAE were originally designed to teach abstinence, contraception, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Together, the states risk losing at least $35 million in funding if they refuse to comply with the administration’s order [Source: Reuters].
California has already felt the impact. In August, HHS stripped the state of its $12 million PREP grant after refusing to remove inclusive language from its curriculum. Maine officials say they will not allow the same fate without a fight in federal court.
Voices From State Leaders
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown explained that his state was warned its grant would be canceled unless a high school curriculum dropped the sentence. “People of all sexual orientations and gender identities need to know how to prevent pregnancy and STIs, either for themselves or to help a friend.”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the choice given by HHS was unacceptable: either exclude transgender students or lose funding for programs that serve thousands of young people.
Maine leaders echoed this concern, saying that inclusive education is essential for protecting the health and dignity of every student [Source: BBC].
The Broader National Divide
This lawsuit highlights a broader cultural clash in the United States. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, President Donald Trump’s administration has moved to legally recognize people only as male or female, rejecting recognition of gender diversity in federal policies.
For many states, this represents not just an attack on education but also a broader assault on LGBTQ+ rights.
The Maine lawsuit against Trump administration policies reflects growing tension between states that prioritize inclusive education and a federal government that seeks to narrow definitions of identity.
Advocates argue that targeting programs designed to support youth will only deepen health risks for marginalized communities [Source: Pew Research Center].
What Comes Next
The case, co-led by Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota, could have major implications for how federal funds are distributed and what control states have over their curricula.
A ruling in favor of the states would protect inclusive sexual education program, while a ruling in favor of the administration could reshape how federal grants are enforced nationwide.
For Maine and its allies, the lawsuit represents more than money. It is about ensuring that young people, regardless of gender identity, receive accurate, inclusive, and safe sexual health education.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not endorse any political party or ideology. The views presented are based on reported events and statements from public officials.
References
- Source: AP News
- Source: Reuters
- Source: BBC
- Source: Pew Research Center
