The March 8 letter you published from Barb Boyne of Lago Vista, Texas, (“A sad time for Maine’s female athletes“) was filled with harmful misinformation and a true lack of understanding around the issue of trans women in sports.

Boyne seems to think that the reason people “become” transgender is to game the system and win at sporting events. I am shocked that the Press Herald would use valuable space to print a piece so lacking in both discernment and humanity (and was from out of state).

Suddenly people like this letter writer, and scores of elected officials, are warriors for fairness when it comes to women and girls in sports. Why have they not spoken up about the stark pay differential that exists for female athletes? Where is the outrage that, on average, male players in the NBA make over $10 million, while women playing in the WNBA have salaries just above $100,000? Why were they not taking to the streets about each case of widespread sexual harassment and emotional abuse against female athletes by their coaches and trainers?

Statistically speaking, most female athletes in the U.S. will never encounter a trans athlete during their careers. However, most women are likely to face a workplace where she is paid less than her male counterparts, as well as a greater likelihood of being harassed and discriminated against in her daily life.

If you truly care about the rights of girls and women, put your energy into a fight they face every day.

Joanna Frankel
Portland