Latest news with #EqualityMaine
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Debate over transgender rights, girls sports draws large turnout to Maine State House
May 8—AUGUSTA — The debate over transgender athletes competing in girls sports drew hundreds to the Maine State House Thursday for what is expected to be a daylong series of public hearings on proposals to restrict participation and roll back gender identity protections in the state's anti-discrimination law. The first group of bills taken up by the Judiciary Committee included proposals to cut state funding to schools that allow transgender athletes to participate in girls sports or require school sports teams to be designated as male, female or coed and prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports. The committee was also expected to take up a bill later in the day Thursday that would eliminate protections based on gender identity from the Maine Human Rights Act, the law that state officials have cited as requiring them to allow students to participate in sports in a way that affirms their identity. The hearings come after the Trump administration sued Maine last month for allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls sports, saying it violates a federal law protecting women from discrimination in education. The administration also has moved to cut off federal funding to the state until it bans trans athletes, although the state has so far fended off any cuts in court. State officials have said the Trump administration is overstepping its authority without any legal precedent to back up their interpretation of federal law. The bills being heard Thursday were submitted prior to the Trump administration's lawsuit, although the national attention has intensified debate at the State House. All of the proposals are from Republican lawmakers. Rep. Elizabeth Caruso, R-Caratunk, said Thursday that her bill, LD 868, requiring school sports teams to be designated as male, female or coed and prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports, would bring Maine schools into compliance with the Trump administration's executive order and interpretation of Title IX and prevent a loss of federal funding. Hundreds of people submitted written testimony on the bills ahead of the hearings and supporters of transgender students said they were expecting a strong turnout. "Every student should be treated with kindness and respect, and they should be able to attend school and play sports without fear," said Gia Drew, executive director of EqualityMaine, an LGBTQ political advocacy organization, in a written statement Wednesday. "These bills won't just hurt transgender girls, they will hurt everyone and subject all Maine girls to invasive procedures that violate personal privacy." Supporters of the bills restricting transgender students' participation have also encouraged people to come to the hearings. Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, whose viral Facebook post featuring a transgender student athlete initially attracted the Trump administration's attention to the issue in February, posted Monday with a message encouraging people to attend the hearings. Libby shared a video from a Presque Isle student, Cassidy Carlisle, who has been active in speaking out against transgender athletes in girls' sports. "I know what it feels like to wonder if your voice matters," Carlisle said in the video. "I'm here to tell you it does. This hearing is a chance to show up for one another and let decision makers know we care deeply about the future of girls in sports." The bills that will be heard Thursday include LD 1134 and LD 233, both of which would prohibit schools that receive state funding from allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls' sports, and LD 868, which would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female or coed. It also would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports and would require schools designate restrooms and changing rooms for use by males or females only. Another bill, LD 1432, would remove consideration of gender identity from the Maine Human Rights Act. This story will be updated. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This week's best bets: Sea Dogs and real dogs, 'Sleeping Beauty' and singer Mary Fahl
Apr. 21—Maine Wildlife Park Gates 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. daily (visitors can stay until 6 p.m.). Maine Wildlife Park, 56 Game Farm Road, Gray, $11, $8 seniors and kids 3-12, $6.50 veterans/military. Maine Wildlife Park opened for the season last week. The animals are ready to frolic, romp and live their best lives. Beat the summer rush and spend a few hours seeing more than 30 species of Maine wildlife that have found a home at the sanctuary after injury, illegal captivity or other reasons that make life in their natural habitats not possible. Walking around the park's many acres is an educational experience. You'll encounter owls, otters, moose, bears, bobcats, cougars and several other birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Bark in the Park 1 p.m. Saturday. Hadlock Field, 271 Park Ave., Portland, $17. $8 dogs. There will be a whole lot going on when the Portland Sea Dogs face the Reading Fightin Phils for an afternoon ballgame. The first 150 fans to enter Hadlock Field will be given a Fraser fir seedling to plant, courtesy of O'Donal's Nursery. Also, all fans are encouraged to wear Kentucky Derby hats and outfits in honor of the historic horse race happening a week later. Best of all, it's Bark in the Park day. Three hundred tickets will be sold to humans who will be able to bring their dogs to the game in a special seating section. Be sure to get there early for the pregame doggie parade around the warming track. EqualityMaine 40th Anniversary Gala 6-10 p.m. Saturday. Brick South at Thompson's Point, Portland, $50-$250. EqualityMaine is throwing a huge party to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The nonprofit is Maine's largest and oldest organization dedicated to creating a fair and just society for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Mainers. The bash features performances by Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Cidny Bullens, "American Idol" contestant Julia Gagnon and the Maine Gay Men's Chorus. DJ Disco Dungeon will be spinning tunes and food is provided by Black Tie catering, with Brick South's signature cocktails. Tommy Waltz will host the night, and all proceeds benefit EqualityMaine. 'The Sleeping Beauty' 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday. Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St., Portland, $35. Portland Ballet closes out its 44th season with its twist on "The Sleeping Beauty." You'll be transfixed as the Lilac Fairy saves Princess Aurora and her kingdom from the sinister Caraboose. Over the course of two acts, the dancers will delight, dazzle and enchant audiences of all ages. The performance's choreography is based on that of Marius Pepita, who first staged it in the late 1800s. Mary Fahl 8 p.m. Saturday. One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland, $35 in advance, $45 at the door. Singer Mary Fahl's first claim to fame was as the lead singer and co-founder of the '90s chamber pop act October Project. Since then, Fahl has released several albums as a solo artist. Her work includes the original song "Going Home," which was used as the theme for the Civil War film "Gods and Generals." Fahl's extraordinary vocals were also referenced in Anne Rice's novel "The Wolves of Midwinter." Rice later reached out to Fahl and asked her to write and record a song for the audio version of the book. Fahl's most recent release is "Can't Get It Out of My Head," with some of her favorite songs from the '60s and '70s from artists like The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Pink Floyd. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Support grows for Maine student-athlete at center of transgender debate
Feb. 25—A group of 30 state and national organizations has banded together to condemn last week's social media posts by some elected officials that drew unwanted attention to a transgender student-athlete in Maine. The debate that started online soon became the impetus for a showdown between Gov. Janet Mills and President Donald Trump, after which the Trump administration threatened to withhold education funding and launched a series of investigations. The coalition of organizations said in a joint statement that as the debate inevitably continues, lawmakers should leave children out of it. "Our organizations stand united in declaring that adults should never harass, 'out', or instigate attacks on minors," the organizations wrote Tuesday. "All children deserve our safety and protection, so they can feel safe at home, at school, and in their communities." The list of organizations includes EqualityMaine, the Maine Women's Lobby, the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Council of Churches and many more. Gia Drew, executive director of EqualityMaine, said posts by Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, that included photos of a transgender athlete at Greely High School who competed in a track meet last week were "inexcusable." "Using pictures of kids for your own political gains, I think that goes against what most Mainers think," Drew said. "But it's not just about one person or one athlete. All young people who might be trans or nonbinary or don't fit some mold, I worry about how they are going to navigate their lives." Libby did not respond to an interview request Tuesday but has defended her posts and resisted requests that she take them down. When asked last week if her posts could have effectively targeted the athlete and put them in harm's way, Libby did not answer and instead said the state's policy is putting girls at risk. "It's not fair to Maine female athletes to have to compete against male athletes," she said. "Frankly, it's outrageous and that's the focus here." The Press Herald is not identifying the student-athlete who has become the latest target in a highly charged national debate, but members of the School Administrative District 51 community have been similarly dismayed by the attention. "It's really troubling for people to watch a student be placed in the center of a debate like that," said Tig Filson, chair of the Cumberland Town Council. "And when you have that amplified at a national level, featuring voices far removed from our community, it's really painful for people." Filson described her community, and especially the school community, as tight-knit and said the biggest reaction from townspeople has been compassion for the student and family that has been outed by conservative media. "People want to make sure they know they are supported and feel safe," she said. Filson also spoke about the matter at the Town Council meeting Monday evening. Andrea Berry, who chairs the select board in North Yarmouth, which is part of SAD 51, said adults engaging in this debate online and elsewhere are overlooking the impact on students. "There is so much hate and prejudice that's being bandied around by members of local community, but much more by people at the state and federal government level," Berry said. "I wish people understood that kids are feeling this, and it's really affecting young people's ability to feel safe, feel seen and feel valued." Jeffrey Porter, the district's superintendent, said late Tuesday that he's been buoyed by the support for students in the community. Prior to Monday's return to school, he worked with police to increase their presence on campus. Thankfully, he said, things have been uneventful. "There has also been some inappropriate feedback (mostly from outside the community) that has been disheartening, especially considering they're from grown adults who should know better," Porter said. "Despite the unwanted national attention, we are trying to move on and create as normal of a school week as possible for our students." FOCUS ON STUDENTS MISPLACED Even community members who have spoken out against transgender athletes being allowed to compete say the focus on specific students is regrettable. Nancy Storey, a Cumberland resident and former executive director of the Maine State Golf Association, has posted numerous times on Facebook since last week and also shared a letter she wrote to state officials. She doesn't agree with the state's policy but also doesn't want individual students to be thrust into the debate. Storey said in an interview that she feels strongly that biological males should not compete against girls, but she doesn't blame the school or the Maine Principals' Association for allowing it. Both, she said, are following state law, but Storey thinks that law didn't account for some of the challenges that have arisen. "As to why I feel as strongly as I do, I remember the days when, if girls wanted to compete, they had to play with the boys," she said. "My first rec basketball was with boys because there was no girls team. I was an eighth grade girl playing against sixth grade boys, and they were still stronger than me." This isn't the first time conservative lawmakers in Maine have used an underage athlete to make a political point about transgender rights. Last year, many drew attention to a cross-country runner, although that didn't reach the White House. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Support grows for student-athlete at center of transgender debate
Feb. 25—A group of 30 state and national organizations have banded together to condemn last week's social media posts by some elected officials that drew unwanted attention to a transgender student-athlete in Maine. The debate that started online quickly became the impetus for a showdown between Gov. Janet Mills and President Donald Trump, after which the Trump Administration threatened to withhold education funding and launched a series of investigations. The coalition of organizations said in a joint statement that as the debate inevitably continues, lawmakers should leave children out of it. "Our organizations stand united in declaring that adults should never harass, 'out', or instigate attacks on minors," the organizations wrote Tuesday. "All children deserve our safety and protection, so they can feel safe at home, at school, and in their communities." The list of organizations includes EqualityMaine, the Maine Women's Lobby, the Maine Medical Association, the Maine Council of Churches, and many more. Gia Drew, executive director of EqualityMaine, said posts by Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, that included pictures and names of a transgender athlete who competed in a track meet last week were "inexcusable." Libby has defended her posts and resisted requests that she take them down. "Using pictures of kids for your own political gains, I think that goes against what most Mainers think," Drew said. "But it's not just about one person or one athlete. All young people who might be trans or nonbinary or don't fit some mold, I worry about how they are going to navigate their lives." The Press Herald is not identifying the student athlete who has become the latest target in a highly charged national debate, but members of the community where she lives have been similarly dismayed by the attention. "It's really troubling for people to watch a student be placed in the center of a debate like that," said Tig Filson, chair of the Cumberland town council. "And when you have that amplified at a national level, featuring voices far removed from our community, it's really painful for people." Filson described her community, and especially the school community, as tightknit and the biggest reaction from townspeople has been compassion for the student and family that has been outed by conservative media. "People want to make sure they know they are supported and feel safe," she said. Filson also addressed the matter at town council meeting on Monday evening. Andrea Berry, who chairs the select board in North Yarmouth, which is part of the same school district, said adults engaging in this debate online and elsewhere are overlooking the impact on students. "There is so much hate and prejudice that's being bandied around by members of local community, but much more by people at the state and federal government level," she said. "I wish people understood that kids are feeling this, and it's really affecting young people's ability to feel safe, feel seen and feel valued." Even community members who have spoken out against transgender athletes being allowed to compete say the focus on specific students is regrettable. Nancy Storey, a Cumberland resident and former executive director of the Maine State Golf Association, has posted numerous times on Facebook since last week and also shared a letter she wrote to state officials. She doesn't agree with the state's policy, but also doesn't want individual students to be thrust into the debate. Storey said in an interview she feels strongly that biological males should not compete against girls, but she doesn't blame the school or the Maine Principals Association for allowing it. Both, she said, are following state law, but Storey thinks that law didn't account for some of the challenges that have arisen. "As to why I feel as strongly as I do, I remember the days when, if girls wanted to compete, they had to play with the boys," she said. "My first rec basketball was with boys because there was no girls team. I was an 8th grade girl playing against 6th grade boys and they were still stronger than me." This isn't the first time conservative lawmakers in Maine have used an underage athlete to make a political point about transgender rights. Last year, many drew attention to a cross country runner, although that didn't reach the White House. Copy the Story Link
