March for Women’s Sports in Maine
Last week, four young women, including a high school athlete from Presque Isle, took part in a march at the Maine Capitol in Augusta. They aimed to advocate against three proposed bills that would ban biological men from participating in women’s sports. This issue has become central as the 2025 state sports season is already mired in controversy.
For three of the girls, this was their first experience at a political event, placing them front and center. They navigated through a crowd of transgender protesters outside the building, which was rather daunting. “It was a bit scary,” first-time protester Haley Himez shared, reflecting on the different beliefs they faced.
Haley mentioned that the catalyst for her involvement came when her English teacher assigned an essay on the topic back in March. That made her realize she needed to protect women’s sports from transgender athletes. Earlier, she and her teammates had witnessed a pole vault event that sparked significant debate when a trans athlete took first place during a competition at Greely High School. “Seeing that male pole vaulter on the podium was really disappointing for the girls who expected to be in the top spots,” Himez expressed, motivating her to take action.
Along with Himez, fellow track teammates Lucy Cheney and Carlyn Buck joined the march, inspired by Cassidy Carlyle, another Presque Isle athlete who had participated in previous events in Augusta and even traveled to Washington, D.C.
These girls have dealt with controversies related to transgender athletes for quite some time. A few years ago, they faced a situation where a biological male played on their girls’ tennis team. “We heard about it from friends, but at that point, the administration allowed it, leaving us with no choice but to accept it,” Cheney explained.
Discussions surrounding transgender athletes have become a hot topic at Presque Isle High School, lingering throughout the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, even after the trans athlete graduated last summer.
This season brings a national struggle into the fold, with Maine’s administration, led by Governor Mills, risking funding for public high schools while navigating the intense competition among biological girls and trans athletes in state sports playoffs.
Upon entering the Capitol, the girls encountered voices advocating for the inclusion of trans athletes in sports. The Democratic majority has actively resisted policies from the Trump administration aimed at “protecting men from women’s sports.”
Three Republican-backed bills—LD 868, LD 233, and LD 1134—were introduced to challenge these existing policies. Many high school athletes gathered at the Capitol, passionately voicing their concerns. “They seemed less interested in listening to our side,” Cheney remarked, reflecting on their experiences with lawmakers.
Buck added that questions posed by Democrats often felt “hostile,” making the atmosphere tense. “It felt like many of the questions were intended to catch us off guard,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the teens are adamant about voicing their concerns. The presence of a trans-identifying athlete at recent competitions has raised issues about fairness, affecting team dynamics and morale. “It’s disheartening for my friends on the team. Every race feels skewed,” Himez stated.
Carlisle, another athlete, acknowledged the discomfort of competing against a trans athlete who often dominates in their events. Despite this, she maintains friendships with transgender individuals, noting, “There’s generally no issue with trans people; it’s the impact on our sports that raises concerns.”
Carlisle remembers a time when the governor dismissed their issues, stating, “Next time I vote, this will definitely be on my mind.” The four girls plan to continue advocating for bills LD 868, LD 233, and LD 1134 until they gain traction.
Federal funding for their schools is at stake, and Carlisle emphasized, “This situation shows the governor’s disregard for us and our educational funding.” The Department of Justice has also expressed concerns over policies that force biological boys into competitions meant for girls, highlighting a growing dispute.
In a proactive move, two school districts in Maine have already altered their policies to exclude trans athletes from women’s sports, taking control of the situation for themselves.
A survey revealed that a majority of Maine voters believe sports participation should be based on biological sex. The governor, however, has shown a willingness to confront the legal implications of these policies, asserting her commitment to court battles over taxpayer-funded legal challenges.
In a world where the future of sports and inclusivity hangs in the balance, these young athletes are courageously stepping into the arena, voicing their concerns, and drawing attention to the complexities of fairness in competition.
