The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the Maine House of Representatives to reinstate Republican State Representative Laurel Libby‘s voting privileges, which had been suspended following her social media post identifying a transgender high school athlete. The Court’s decision allows Libby to resume her legislative duties while her legal challenge proceeds.
In February 2025, Rep. Libby posted on Facebook criticizing the participation of a transgender athlete in a girls’ pole vault competition, including the athlete’s name and photo. The Maine House, led by Democrats, voted 75-70 to censure Libby, barring her from speaking or voting on the House floor until she issued a public apology, which she refused to do.
Libby filed a lawsuit against House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, arguing that the censure violated her First and Fourteenth Amendment rights and disenfranchised her constituents. After lower courts denied her requests for relief, Libby sought emergency intervention from the Supreme Court.
On May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court granted Libby’s request, issuing an unsigned order that temporarily restores her voting rights during the ongoing litigation. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, with Justice Jackson expressing concern over the Court’s standards for granting emergency relief.
The case has drawn national attention amid broader debates over transgender athletes’ participation in sports. President Donald Trump’s administration has taken steps to restrict such participation, including executive orders and legal actions challenging state policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity.
Rep. Libby welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it affirms the constitutional rights of elected officials and their constituents. The Maine House has complied with the order, restoring Libby’s legislative privileges as the legal proceedings continue.
