Maine Teens Fight Democrats Over Trans Athlete Ban in Girls' Sports

In a bold stand for fairness, four young women from Presque Isle High School stormed Maine's state Capitol in Augusta last week, rallying for bills to keep biological males out of girls' sports. These teens, led by track star Cassidy Carlisle, faced down pro-transgender counter-protesters and skeptical Democratic lawmakers to defend their turf.

The issue hit home when a trans athlete claimed victory in the girls' pole vault at Greely High School in February 2025, leaving competitors like Hailey Himes stunned. "We were all just looking, like, 'There's no way that's a girl,'" Himes recalled, her resolve hardened by the sight of discouraged teammates on the podium. For Himes, an English class essay assignment on March 12 became the spark to join the fight.

Carlisle, a veteran of two Augusta marches and D.C. meetings with GOP leaders, knows the stakes. She’s competed against trans athletes since middle school and even shared a locker room with one in seventh grade. "It’s not about trans people—it’s about fairness in our lives," she said, emphasizing her friendships with transgender peers. Her teammates—Lucy Cheney, Carrlyn Buck, and Himes—echoed her, recounting how a trans athlete on their school’s tennis team years ago stirred unease.

Maine’s Democratic majority, backed by Gov. Janet Mills, remains unmoved, clinging to policies allowing trans athletes in girls’ sports despite a national clash with President Trump’s executive order. This stance risks federal funding for schools, leaving athletes anxious as they face trans competitors in track playoffs. "It’s discouraging knowing the outcome feels decided," Buck said, noting the biological advantages at play.

Three Republican-backed bills—LD 868, LD 233, and LD 1134—are now fueling hope. The teens confronted lawmakers who seemed "hostile" and less engaged with their side, yet they persisted. Meanwhile, two Maine school districts have already banned trans athletes from girls’ sports, and a survey shows 63% of Maine voters want sports divided by biological sex. As Mills digs in, these young athletes vow to keep marching until fairness wins.