I am the proud mother of a transgender child and a representative of the PFLAG Portland board. Individually, and as an organization, we raise our voices in opposition to L.D. 926, a discriminatory bill that would prohibit transgender women and girls in Maine from participating in both interscholastic and intramural sports.
Denying transgender women and girls the opportunity to play sports is a violation of their rights as well as of Maine’s nondiscrimination law. Supporters cry out about what is “fair.” What is fair about excluding any of Maine’s youth the benefits of team participation based on who they know they are? What is fair about the possibility of subjecting girls to an intrusive examination to prove their gender? And how does one weigh the detriment to transgender girls compared to the gain of cisgender girls?
Please tell your legislators to oppose L.D. 926. Tell them that Mainers do not want to be part of the nationwide movement targeting the transgender community.
These girls are your daughters and granddaughters, your students, your caretakers. They have as much right to be fully who they are and participate in what life offers as every other human being.
Muriel Pierce
PFLAG Portland
Portland
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