A grassroots coalition of fathers in Maine is rapidly closing in on a major ballot initiative aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports and restoring sex-based protections in schools.
The group, known as Maine Girl Dads, hosted a drive-thru signature event in Brunswick on Saturday to support the initiative, titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex.” The proposed law would require schools to separate teams, locker rooms, and bathrooms by biological sex—male, female, or co-ed.
Organizers report that they have already collected over 60,000 of the 68,000 signatures required by February for the measure to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. The initiative is supported by Protect Girls’ Sports in Maine and is gaining traction among residents concerned about the fairness and safety of girls’ athletic competition.
The effort follows growing backlash nationwide against policies that allow biological males to compete in female sports. Critics argue such policies strip girls of equal opportunities, privacy, and competitive fairness.
In February, President Donald Trump confronted Maine Gov. Janet Mills for defying his executive order protecting women’s sports, warning she could lose federal funding if the state refused to comply. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi later filed a federal lawsuit against Maine, accusing the state of placing “gender identity over biological reality” and endangering female athletes.
The lawsuit alleges that Maine’s current policies deny girls fair competition and equal athletic opportunity, while increasing the risk of injury. In October, three activists protested the state’s transgender sports policies by stripping to their underwear during a school board meeting, underscoring the intensity of public opposition.
Maine Girl Dads, now over 8,000 strong, describes itself as a coalition committed to restoring dignity, safety, and fairness for their daughters. The group states plainly: “No more males in female spaces nor sports.”
