AUGUSTA — Republicans in the state Legislature are encouraging Mainers to have their voices heard Tuesday at a public hearing on the transgender athlete ballot measure.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to come and share their views one way or another on this referendum issue,” said Rep. Jennifer Poirier (R-Skowhegan).
Poirier is one of the legislators on the Judiciary Committee, which will hold a public hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the State House.
The hearing comes late in the legislative session and at a time when a lawsuit has been filed to challenge the validity of the signatures needed to get on the November ballot.
Also, supporters say they oppose the proposed wording of the ballot question and are urging Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat running for governor, to change it.
The measure requires schools to designate all sports teams as male, female or co-ed. It also requires public schools to maintain separate restrooms, locker rooms and shower rooms for girls and boys.
Last year, Democrats at the State House defeated similar measures, prompting conservative groups to gather signatures to call for a public vote. Supporters say they want to ensure fair competition for girls by banning transgender girls from girls’ sports teams but giving them the option to play on co-ed or boys’ teams.
Sen. Sue Bernard (R-Caribou) sponsored one of the bills Democrats defeated last year.
“Like I said last year, girls deserve space carved out for them where they have a fair chance to be winners,” she said. “If we don’t change our policy, I’m worried that space will completely disappear.”
Opponents of the ballot measure, which includes EqualityMaine, GLAD Law and the Maine Women’s Lobby, say they will work together as the Campaign for Free and Fair Schools to defeat the ballot measure.
They are raising concerns about $800,000 in funding to support the initiative, which is from conservative megadonor Richard Uihlein of Illinois.
“The billionaire and sole funder of the ballot question is using a few transgender kids as a wedge issue with a measure that would only create more problems for schools, parents and students,” said Mary Bonauto, senior director of civil rights and legal strategies at GLAD Law.
According to guidance from the Judiciary Committee, those wishing to testify in person on Tuesday can begin to sign up starting at 8 a.m. Testimony will be limited to three minutes and those testifying are asked to bring 20 copies of their remarks.
Because of time constraints, the hearing is expected to last only about three hours, with those in favor testifying first, followed by those opposed and testimony from legislators.