Fathers Unite to Support Girls’ Sports in Maine
Fathers of young female athletes in Maine are stepping up to advocate for the protection of girls’ sports. After two legislative bills were unsuccessful, these parents have taken to the streets, gathering signatures for a new initiative.
A collective known as Maine Girl Dads is urging Maine residents to sign a petition for an initiative called “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Gender.” This proposed law seeks to ensure that schools in the state assign “athletic teams and private facilities,” like restrooms and locker rooms, according to biological sex.
The group expressed that this initiative is crucial for achieving widespread change across the state while also granting individuals the right to take legal action to enforce it. They aim to collect 68,000 signatures to place the proposal on the ballot for the 2026 midterm elections.
Recently, despite the chilly November weather, the fathers conducted a successful signature drive. They shared that they had already amassed over 53,000 signatures in one day, stating excitedly on social media, “If this is on the ballot in 2026, we will win and women’s sports will be protected. Keep it up, Maine!”
WMTW-TV spoke with Steven Scharf, one of the participants in the petition-signing event. He noted that those who stopped to sign were enthusiastic about the cause and questioned why such regulations aren’t already in place, expressing confusion over the need for a vote when it seems so straightforward.
The movement to restrict male participation in women’s sports has gained traction, especially after Maine’s legislature rejected two bills aimed at accomplishing this previously. This refusal to align with former President Trump’s directives raised eyebrows among some advocates.
The Maine House of Representatives has an even split between Democrats and Republicans, but neither of the proposed bills made it through the state Senate. Recent attempts, labeled LD1134 and LD233, were both defeated earlier this month.
If the Maine Girl Dads achieve their goal, the proposed regulations would take effect on January 1, 2027.
