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I am a woman who played four sports in high school, two sports in college, and who has coached around the world. As a woman, I am deeply troubled by the way in which the state of Maine and the Maine Principals’ Association has, in my view, destroyed the rights of the young women of Maine. I believe they can no longer compete in fair competitions as the MPA allows transgender athletes who I consider biological males to compete in girls’ athletics.
In the name of “progressivism,” I think the state of Maine has gone backwards by decades to a time when women had little opportunity to compete and little support to succeed. Our girls are being subjected to rules that unfairly benefit a few while harming untold numbers.
In addition to that, the right to free speech is being trampled in our State House as those who would take a stand for the precious girls of Maine are silenced. Rep. Laurel Libby has been a champion in the fight for our young women, and she has been, I believe, unfairly censured for her stand. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Maine seeks to pass a bill that would attempt to silence the larger Maine community as well. Their bill would restrict free speech on social media and other platforms would essentially censor some of those who wish to use those platforms to speak out on this issue.
It is a sad day in our state when free speech and the protection of women are attacked by our majority party. I hope that the people of Maine will soon find new leadership to replace those silencing our voices and harming our young women.
Karen Mallory
Glenburn
