The Maine House of Representatives on Wednesday restored the voting and speaking rights of a member whom the Democratic majority censured for identifying a transgender teen athlete on social media.
The reversal came on the final day of the legislative session but allowed Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, a chance to speak on the floor of the House for the first time in four months.
The House censured Libby in a party-line vote on Feb. 25 for social media posts that identified a Maine transgender female athlete at Greely High School who won an indoor track and field title, implying that the student won through an unfair biological advantage.
The censure barred Libby from speaking or voting on the House floor, though she retained the right to make motions, introduce bills and cast votes in committees and made frequent statements to the media.
Libby sued in federal court to have her voting and speaking rights reinstated. Her case was taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court, whose conservative majority sided with Libby, ruling that the Maine Legislature must count her votes.
On Wednesday, Libby gave a 22-minute speech on the floor of the House detailing how she would have voted on a number of bills.
In a statement released Wednesday evening she called the reversal “a major victory for free speech, representative government, and the Constitution,” and reiterated her stance on transgender female athletes.
“I have never apologized, and never will apologize, for speaking up in defense of Maine girls and their right to a fair, safe, and level playing field,” Libby said.
