I was sad to see the March 18 Press Herald headline about the referendum question, to be voted on in November, which aims to ban transgender girls participation in public school sports. I am worried about the effect this referendum may have on trans kids and their families. I’ve only known a few such families, so, because I still had questions about the referendum’s impact, I attended a recent forum on “Supporting our Trans Siblings.”
The panelists from Democracy Maine, the Equality Community Center, EqualityMaine, MaineTransNet, Maine Women’s Lobby, Multifaith Justice Maine and PFLAG presented on several concerns and issues.
While the facts about trans bullying, harassment, even suicide were daunting, the most chilling fact was that this referendum was subsidized by an $800,000 contribution from one out-of-state billionaire family. They chose to ostracize of a small minority of struggling kids rather than promote educational and school policies that value all of our children.
Valerie Blais
Portland
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