News

Groups vow to stop Maine bill to ban trans youth from sports

Groups vow to stop Maine bill to ban trans youth from sports

Photo: clipart.com


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Civil rights groups in Maine are coming out against a proposal from a group of Republicans to ban transgender youths from school sports.

The proposal from Rep. Beth O’Connor of Berwick states that it is designed to “ban biological males from participating in women’s sports.” O’Connor submitted the bill to the Maine Legislature on Monday.

The proposal states that students who disagree with the ruling can dispute it with a signed statement from a physician that states they are female based on their reproductive anatomy, their “naturally occurring level of testosterone” or a chromosomal analysis.

Numerous civil rights group swiftly slammed the proposal. EqualityMaine described the proposal as “anti-trans legislation,” and it and other groups vowed to defeat the bill. A coalition of groups including the Maine Women’s Lobby issued a joint statement that the proposal “is not in keeping with the values of youth sports” and is discriminatory.

The proposal would face action in the Committee on Education and Cultural Affair before the Maine Legislature would vote on it. The legislature is controlled by Democrats and the proposal has no Democratic sponsors or co-sponsors.

New Hampshire is considering a similar proposal. Transgender youths, their family members and allies testified against it on Tuesday.

Latest Headlines

11 minutes ago in Local

Maine Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Whale, Bird Parts

Fresh

The man was investigated as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Operation Raw Deal.

2 hours ago in Local

Anthem requests extension of deadline as negotiations with Northern Light stall

A spokesperson for Anthem insurance says the company has requested that Northern Light Health extend a deadline for reimbursement negotiations.

2 hours ago in Local

Lockdown lifted at SMCC in South Portland after police respond to person in crisis

A lockdown and shelter-in-place order has been lifted at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

5 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Nicole Kidman files for divorce from Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage

The 58-year-old Oscar-winning actor petitioned on Tuesday to end her marriage to the 57-year-old Grammy winning country singer in a Nashville court. The documents state the couple has undergone "marital difficulties and irreconcilable differences."

11 hours ago in Local

Portland Police Looking for Man Missing for a Month

Officers did not say where the man was last seen.