A heated school board meeting in Augusta, Maine, turned contentious when a parent was silenced while voicing opposition to transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports. The incident highlights the ongoing national debate over gender identity and fairness in female athletics.
On April 9, during a school board meeting in Augusta, parent Nick Blanchard was interrupted by Board Chair Martha Witham while expressing concerns about transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Blanchard, wearing a “MAGA” hat and a T-shirt depicting Governor Janet Mills with the phrase “You’re fired,” began by commending six board members for supporting the 2020 interpretation of Title IX, which restricts transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. He criticized the one member who opposed the measure, prompting Witham to interject, stating that “negative comments will not be allowed.”
Blanchard attempted to discuss a petition seeking the removal of Cony Middle and High School Principal Kim Liscomb, who also serves as president of the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA). The MPA supports transgender athletes’ participation based on gender identity. Witham interrupted Blanchard again, warning that his remarks would “not be tolerated” and threatening to have him step down from the podium if he continued making “defamatory remarks.” As Blanchard left, he exclaimed, “Communist China right here!”
This incident occurs amid escalating tensions between Maine officials and the Trump administration over transgender participation in girls’ sports. The U.S. Department of Education referred Maine to the Department of Justice after determining that the state’s policies allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ athletic teams violated federal antidiscrimination laws. The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funding to Maine, which accounts for a significant portion of its K-12 education budget.
Governor Janet Mills and state education officials have resisted federal pressure, citing the Maine Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. Despite threats of funding cuts and legal action, Maine continues to allow transgender athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity.
