Maine’s public schools are under attack. The Trump administration has pushed the state’s Department of Education to exclude transgender girls from sports. While Gov. Mills has ardently defended these students, famously telling President Trump “We’ll see you in court,” they’ve faced backlash at home too.

A recent poll from the University of New Hampshire’s survey center found that 64% of Maine residents oppose the participation of transgender women in women’s sports. RSU 73 recently doubled down on this sentiment, voting to align Title IX policy with President Trump’s executive order stating that there are only two biological sexes — much to the chagrin of local LGBTQ+ activists.

As a Gen Z Mainer, I know firsthand how much our public schools can shape their students’ lives. These schools gave me the academic foundation to thrive in college and national newsrooms — while also shaping my character to reflect Maine’s values of hard work, grit and integrity.

These girls (and yes, they are girls) are not the enemy. They are the state’s most vulnerable students. According to a National Resource Center report, 47% of transgender respondents have been sexually assaulted. On a local level, the Press Herald cited a national report that showed 42% of Maine’s transgender and nonbinary youth have seriously considered suicide in the past year, while 18% have attempted it. These girls are not a threat, they are threatened, and they deserve better.

Molly Healey
Falmouth