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From the beginning, we have to understand that transgender athletes being taken out of women’s sports is not excluding them. I believe there are places for these athletes to compete but not in the space of young women.
When transgender athletes compete in female sports, I believe it redefines the competition entirely. The gap in strength and speed is real, and so is the impact it has on our opportunities, confidence, and sense of fairness.
This isn’t about hate or exclusion, I think it’s about making sure that every girl has a fair shot at success. We train too hard, sacrifice too much, and dream too big to have the rules changed on us.
Please, don’t let the future of girls’ sports be defined by unfairness. Support these bills and give young women across Maine the chance to chase their dreams with the confidence that the race ahead of them is one they have a fair chance to win.
Lucy Cheney
Sophomore
Presque Isle High School
Presque Isle