Maine Community Divided Over Transgender Child’s Participation in Girls’ Basketball
ST. GEORGE, Maine — A quiet coastal town in Maine has become the latest flashpoint in the national debate over transgender participation in youth sports after an 8-year-old transgender boy was allowed to join a girls’ recreational basketball team. The decision, made by the local Select Board in a narrow 3-2 vote, has sparked protests from a group of parents who say their daughters feel unsafe and uncomfortable sharing locker rooms and playing alongside the child.
Katy Miller, a mother whose daughter plays on the team, has emerged as a vocal opponent, describing herself as a “mama bear” standing up for her child and others. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Miller explained that the concerns raised by parents are rooted in their daughters’ feelings of vulnerability. “Girls want to feel safe. They want to have safe spaces. They don’t want to have to worry about these things,” she said, highlighting that the primary worry was about changing in locker rooms and the use of bathrooms.
The controversy came to a head at a November 10 meeting of the Town of St. George Select Board, where parents and community members spoke passionately on both sides. Supporters of the transgender child argued that at such a young age, the child does not possess a physical or biological advantage over the girls. Opponents countered that allowing a biological boy to compete on a girls’ team sets a precedent they believe could undermine fairness and safety.
Colin Hurd, an attorney with the Maine Human Rights Commission, an independent state agency tasked with enforcing the Maine Human Rights Act, clarified the legal framework governing the issue. Under state law, it is illegal for municipalities to deny services — including recreational sports participation — based on gender identity. The law also protects the rights of transgender individuals to use public restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. However, Hurd acknowledged that exceptions exist when genuine health and safety risks arise for any participant.
The Maine Human Rights Commission’s position reflects a broader national conversation about balancing inclusion with safety concerns in youth athletics. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has issued guidance on Title IX protections, which prohibit discrimination based on sex, including gender identity, in federally funded education programs and activities. This federal guidance has prompted legal challenges and policy debates in multiple states.
In response to the local uproar, some parents have taken the extraordinary step of creating a private basketball league to provide an alternative space for their daughters to play. This move underscores the depth of division within the community and the challenges schools and municipalities face in navigating these complex issues.
Meanwhile, the controversy has drawn attention from advocacy groups and lawmakers. The Maine State Legislature has previously debated transgender rights and protections, reflecting the evolving legal landscape. Nationally, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union advocate for transgender inclusion, while other groups emphasize concerns about competitive fairness.
As the debate continues, the children at the center of the controversy remain the most affected. For parents like Miller, the priority is ensuring that their daughters can participate in sports without fear or discomfort. “They did not want to change in front of a biological boy, and I don’t blame them,” she said.
The situation in St. George exemplifies the ongoing tensions communities face nationwide as they grapple with how best to respect the rights of transgender youth while addressing the concerns of other participants. The Select Board’s close vote and the creation of a private league suggest that consensus remains elusive.
For more information on the legal protections for transgender individuals in education and sports, visit the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and the Maine Human Rights Commission. The ongoing national discourse on this issue can also be followed through updates from the American Civil Liberties Union’s transgender rights page.
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