High school athletes headline long day of testimony on Maine transgender laws

Debate centers on fairness and safety during hearing on transgender sports bills

Rep. Elizabeth Caruso of Caratunk speaks at a press briefing sponsored by the Republican party in the State House in Augusta to support proposed bills that would restrict transgender rights on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)Lawmakers on the Maine Legislature’s Judiciary Committee heard more than eight hours of public testimony Thursday on a package of Republican bills that would roll back protections for transgender studen…

High school athletes headline long day of testimony on Maine transgender laws

AUGUSTA, Maine — High school students took center stage at the State House on Thursday to testify on Republican proposals that would ban transgender girls from girls sports, the issue over which President Donald Trump has targeted Maine. The marathon day of testimony before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee focused on bills seeking to ban transgender girls from competing in sports aligned with their gender identity. Others go further to cove…

Transgender rights, athletics bills draw crowd against backdrop of Maine's high-stakes legal fight

Bills that would rollback transgender rights and ban them from participating on girls' sports teams are receiving more scrutiny amid the Trump administration's lawsuit against Maine.

High school sports have never been about fairness

What are we telling our girls who stand before the Maine State Judiciary Committee and cry foul? Are we in agreement that they can't compete with trans girls, many of whom are undergoing gender reassignment therapies? These treatments require taking female hormones that change the transforming physique and reduce muscle mass. We're teaching these indignant cis girls that they are less than boys and trans girls and need special treatment. High sc…