Three people undressed at an Augusta school board meeting on Wednesday night to protest the district’s policy allowing transgender students to compete according to their gender identity.
The demonstration, first reported by the Kennebec Journal, happened as Nathan Blanchard was speaking against the current policy, which allows transgender students to compete in sports according to their gender identity.
“You feel uncomfortable?” Blanchard said, gesturing over his shoulder to two women and a man who were taking off their clothes. “Cause that’s what these young girls feel like when a boy walks into the locker room and starts changing in front of them.”
The protesters ultimately stripped to underwear and T-shirts then quickly got dressed again as the meeting continued.
The Augusta Schools follow Maine’s interpretation of Title IX, the landmark 1972 federal law that prohibits discrimination in public school sports based on sex.
Under President Donald Trump, the federal government has argued that Title IX bars transgender girls and women from competing in girls and women’s sports.
While very few transgender Maine students compete in sports at all, the Trump administration has gone to war with the administration of Gov. Janet Mills over the issue, filing lawsuits and withholding federal funding.
Several Maine school districts have broken with the state and taken the federal position.
The Augusta Board of Education had planned to discuss on Wednesday whether it would revisit Title IX, “if and when the law changes regarding these policies,” but after a lengthy public comment period adjourned before taking a vote.
