Maine Student Speaks Out on Impact of Transgender Policies in Sports

Cassidy Carlisle, now a high school athlete, has shared her personal struggle with Maine’s transgender policies, highlighting how they have shaped her childhood and sports experiences. During an exclusive interview, she recalled an uncomfortable moment in seventh grade when she was compelled to change in the same locker room as a transgender student.

During gym class at Presque Isle Middle School six years ago, Carlisle entered the locker room, where she encountered a biological male who was also changing alongside her and other girls. According to her, administrators informed her that avoiding the situation could result in being late for class.

That experience marked the beginning of Carlisle’s awareness that something was amiss, yet at the time, she felt powerless to express her concerns. Now, she believes that these policies have unfairly affected her sports career and her childhood.

Transgender Policies in Maine: A Closer Look

The inclusion of gender identity in the Maine Human Rights Act dates back to 2005 when it was integrated as part of the definition of sexual orientation. The act underwent a significant amendment in 2021, establishing gender identity as a distinct protected class alongside sex, sexual orientation, race, color, disability, and religion. The law emphasizes equal opportunity in athletic programs, thereby categorizing any denial of this opportunity as education discrimination.

Carlisle recounted a brief but memorable encounter with the transgender student in the locker room, noting the individual only remained there for about a week before disappearing. Yet, the impact of that experience lingered, especially when she faced the possibility of competing against a transgender athlete on the state Nordic skiing team during her junior year.

Facing the Challenge on the Slopes

Having previously competed against this trans athlete in cross-country events, Carlisle felt disbelief when her father informed her that she would have another chance to race against her in skiing.

She expressed her surprise, stating, “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s only something I kind of hear about on the news. … It’s not going to happen to me.'” However, the reality soon set in, leading to heartbreak.

Carlisle explained, “The defeat that comes with that in that moment is heartbreaking. I’m just in shock in a way. I didn’t believe it. … I didn’t think it was happening to me.” In an effort to adapt, she had previously quit her co-ed hockey team, feeling she was unable to compete with the boys. However, her transition to girls’ sports didn’t shield her from the physical disadvantages presented by competing against biological males.

Struggling to Be Heard

Amidst her frustrations, Carlisle also dealt with the anxiety of feeling unheard. She admitted to staying silent for an extended period. “It’s very hard to speak up if you don’t have a platform to do it on. … Backlash is a huge thing. I’m a high school student. No student wants to be hurt, yelled at, or face mean comments,” she explained.

However, when the opportunity arose to vote in the November election, she was determined to make her voice count. She cast her ballot with the issue of transgender athletes in girls’ sports influential in her decision-making process.

A national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America legislative action committee revealed that 70% of moderate voters viewed issues surrounding trans athletes in sports as significant. Among them, 6% deemed it the most important topic.

The Political Landscape and Growing Activism

Earlier this year, when Republican Maine state Representative Laurel Libby highlighted another incident involving a trans athlete winning a girls’ pole vault competition, Carlisle saw a potential opportunity to drive change. Libby’s social media post led Maine into a heated cultural debate, featuring the Trump administration’s war against states, like Maine, that support trans inclusion in girls’ sports.

This sparked a movement among thousands of residents opposing state laws permitting transgender individuals to compete in girls’ sports and use girls’ locker rooms. Energized by the circumstances, Carlisle joined her peers in advocating against these policies.

On February 27, she visited the White House with other female athletes impacted by this issue, sharing their collective experiences. They met with Attorney General Pam Bondi, but the absence of any representatives from Maine during this pivotal meeting was striking to her.

Upon returning home, Carlisle found the motivation to act further. Recently, she delivered a powerful speech in front of the Maine Capitol, where hundreds gathered to protest Governor Janet Mills’ continued support for policies allowing trans athletes inclusion in girls’ sports. This event marked the second protest against Mills in a month.

The Federal Response and Its Implications

The Trump administration has implemented aggressive strategies to ensure Maine adheres to the demands of residents like Carlisle who wish to protect female athletes from unfair competition against transgender individuals. In March, the Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights announced findings that indicated violations of Title IX by the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Principals’ Association, and Greely High School.

This announcement outlined a timeline for compliance, allowing Maine 10 days to rectify its policies through a signed agreement or risk referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Trump has exhibited a readiness to cut federal funding to enforce adherence to his guidelines, including the suspension of $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maine System pending compliance with his orders.

Hope for the Future

As this deadline approaches, Carlisle expressed her hope for compliance, stressing the importance of federal funding for the state’s educational institutions. “I really hope that Maine complies because our schools need the federal funding, and we can’t risk losing that. It would really hurt our state to lose that federal funding,” she remarked, emphasizing the stakes involved.

Clearly, the journey continues for Carlisle and her peers as they navigate this complex issue. Their voices reflect a growing concern about the balance between inclusivity in sports and protecting the rights of female athletes.