Referendum seeking to restrict trans rights will get a last-minute public hearing
Before Mainers vote on restricting transgender students’ rights to play on sports teams and access school bathrooms this November, lawmakers will allow the public to weigh in at a last-minute hearing on Tuesday.
After several similar legislative attempts failed last year, a citizen-led campaign is putting the issue on the ballot. The group is framing it as a referendum to “protect girls’ sports,” arguing that allowing trans girls to share bathrooms, locker rooms or sports teams with cisgender girls jeopardizes their safety.
“In sports, biological differences matter,” said Republican Sen. Sue Bernard of Aroostook County at a Monday morning press conference. “Acknowledging this … is not disrespecting the transgender community.”
But before the question goes to voters in November, the Legislature must consider whether to pass the measure and is required to hold a public hearing If passed, the referendum would require trans girls to play on boys or co-ed teams. The full language of the proposed referendum is similar to wording of a bill introduced last year, LD 868, which narrowly failed to pass the Maine Legislature last spring. The referendum also seeks to change the Maine Human Rights Act, which for decades has allowed all trans people to use bathrooms, play on sports teams and use names and pronouns at school that align with their gender identity.
https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/04/14/referendum-seeking-to-restrict-trans-rights-will-get-a-last-minute-public-hearing/