Maine trans athlete battle: school board meeting descends into chaos

The Augusta School Board meeting in Maine’s capital city on Wednesday night became heated as a parent in a “MAGA” hat clashed with the school board president over the state’s ongoing debate regarding the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls’ sports.

The contentious interaction occurred between parent Nick Blanchard and Augusta School Board Chair Martha Witham during a discussion of a petition launched by Blanchard to have Cony Middle and High School Principal Kim Liscomb removed from her position. Liscomb, who is also the president of the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), has been a vocal supporter of transgender athletes participating in school sports based on gender identity.

Blanchard, who showed up to the meeting in a “MAGA” hat and a T-shirt of Gov. Janet Mills that read, “You’re fired,” began his speech by praising the majority of the board members who voted against allowing trans athletes to compete as girls under the 2020 interpretation of Title IX. However, Witham interrupted him when he criticized the one board member who voted in favor of trans athlete inclusion.

Witham cut off Blanchard multiple times during his speech, stating that negative and defamatory comments would not be tolerated. She warned Blanchard that he would be asked to step down from the podium if he continued to make such remarks. Despite the interruptions, Blanchard persisted in discussing his petition to have Liscomb removed from her position.

The tension escalated when Witham abruptly ended Blanchard’s speech and ordered him off the podium, prompting Blanchard to shout “Communist China right here!” as he walked away.

The debate over transgender athlete inclusion in girls’ and women’s sports has made Maine a focal point in the national conversation. The state has faced pressure from federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, to amend its policies that allow for trans inclusion in sports. Failure to do so by the deadline could result in further action from the Justice Department.

The controversy at the Augusta School Board meeting highlights the deep divide and strong emotions surrounding the issue of transgender athlete inclusion in school sports. The clash between Blanchard and Witham serves as a microcosm of the larger debate taking place not only in Maine but across the country.