The U.S. Department of Education is threatening to withhold some federal funding for Connecticut school districts if they follow a state policy that allows transgender girls to compete as girls in high school sports. (AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb, File)HARTFORD, Conn. – The U.S. Department of Education is threatening to withhold some federal funding from Connecticut school districts if they follow a state policy that allows transgender girls to compete as girls in high school sports. But the U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights argues the policy violates the civil rights of girls who are not transgender under Title IX, the federal law that guarantees equal opportunities in education. The ACLU of Connecticut, which is representing the transgender athletes, said the Trump administration is trying to pressure schools into denying transgender athletes an opportunity to compete. “Transgender girls are girls, and the Office of the Attorney General will continue to protect every woman and girl in this state against discrimination.