Democrat-led Maine House narrowly passes trans athlete ban

The Maine House of Representatives has passed a ban on male transgender athletes competing in girls’ interscholastic sports, Maine Public Radio reports.

Four Democrats joined the Republican minority to vote 73-70 in favor of the proposal last week.

State Rep. Dani O’Halloran, D-Brewer, was one of several Democrats who sided with Republicans on the issue.

“I absolutely support the right to transition with proper guidance,” O’Halloran said in a speech on the House floor. “But we also need to recognize that allowing trans athletes on all-girls’ sports teams gives trans athletes an advantage that they would not otherwise have. And to me, this is not fair.”

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Liz Caruso, R-Caratunk, also described the legislation as a way to ensure fairness.

“Passage of (the bill) ensures that Maine students, including those who are transitioning, are protected and accommodated – and that fairness, opportunities, privacy and safety are preserved for all athletes on and off the field,” she said during the House debate.

However, most Democrats opposed the measure, with Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, arguing it unfairly targets a small portion of the student population.

“When it comes to creating a school environment where all kids can thrive, targeting a small group who oftentimes are already marginalized and subject to harassment is harmful to every student,” Kuhn said. “This kind of targeting behavior, especially when it is sanctioned by adults, creates an environment where no student feels safe.” 

The legislation may have a harder time passing in the Maine Senate, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 20 to 15, and one GOP state senator supports males competing in girls’ sports, the report said. 

Gov. Janet Mills, a liberal Democrat, has not indicated whether she would sign or veto the measure if it reaches her desk. 

“I’m not going to talk about the transgender thing if that’s what you’re asking about,” she told reporters in April. 

Two male transgender athletes have won recent girls’ track state titles in Maine.  

Maine Coast Waldorf student Soren Stark-Chessa won an 800-meter state championship in June 2024, and Greely High student Katie Spencer won a pole-vaulting state title in February 2025. Spencer’s performance also helped Greely win a team state championship.