I could not agree more with Kip Pope’s well-written op-ed (“Why Maine is wrong on the transgender athletes issue,” March 13). Our daughters deserve fair competition.
I have read a number of books written by and about transgender people, and I’m currently reading another recently published book. I totally support the rights of transgender people to be who they want to be. However, I can’t agree with transgender females competing in athletics against biological females.
I suggest a possible solution that is no different than what happened years ago with disabled athletes competing in track and field. My late husband and I were certified USA Track & Field officials for 25 years. We witnessed the introduction of classifications for disabled athletes to compete in track and field.
It was unfair to expect someone in a wheelchair, for example, to compete fairly against an able-bodied person. Why then is it now fair for a transgender female to compete against a biological female, regardless of the stage of her transition? There is no hormone we can administer that makes a tall person, often an advantage in sports, become shorter. Give female transgender athletes their own competition category.
I enjoyed Gov. Mills standing up to President Trump, but she picked the wrong battle. I am a staunch Democrat, but the censure of Rep. Laurel Libby is ridiculous. She was expressing the view of the majority of Maine residents. High school track meets are public events. Rep. Libby didn’t expose anyone; I had seen the athlete’s name and picture posted all over the place.
Donna Runnels
Burnham