Maine Senate Rejects Ban on Transgender Athletes in Sports
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Senate has decisively defeated a bill aimed at banning transgender girls from participating in sports aligned with their gender identity. The Senate voted 21-13 against the proposal from Rep. Dick Campbell, R-Orrington. This followed a recent House vote, where a coalition of four House Democrats crossed party lines to support the measure alongside Republicans.
With this outcome, the bill is likely to fizzle out for the year. Notably, Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford was the only Republican to join Democrats in opposing the ban. While the ban aimed to restrict transgender female athletes in state-funded schools and universities, precedent exists in Maine allowing transgender girls to compete under anti-discrimination statutes.
Discussions surrounding gender identity in sports intensified after Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, made a controversial social media post regarding a transgender student’s victory in a state track event. This caught national attention, with former President Donald Trump targeting Governor Janet Mills over the issue. Trump threatened to withdraw federal funding unless Maine adopts rules mirroring his executive order restricting transgender girls from female sports, leading to the cancellation of federal programs impacting Maine schools.
Democrats maintain a 20-15 majority in the Senate, which bodes well for more progressive legislation. Bennett, who has hinted at a potential independent gubernatorial run in 2026, expressed his dismay over his party’s stance, advocating that such controversies should be resolved in courts rather than legislation. The Senate’s recent actions also culminated in the defeat of related Republican proposals concerning bathroom access, gender identity protections, and consent for gender-affirming care for teenagers.
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