I am writing to express my opposition to the petition that appears to be intended just to foment animosity towards transwomen.  A petition with the purpose of harming fellow citizens would have outcomes contrary to the goals of the Board of Health and should be rejected.    As health professionals, I’m sure you are aware that both intersex and transgender people exist and have as much right to be able to use public accommodations and participate in sports and other activities as anyone else.  Although there are fewer transwomen than ciswomen in the world, transwomen in general exhibit a range of sizes and strengths that overlap with ciswomen, and there is no evidence that transwomen as a group outcompete ciswomen in their sports.  As Maine high school student Anelise Feldman wrote in a letter to the Portland Press Herald earlier this month after coming in second in a race, “Achieving a personal record and earning varsity status filled me with pride. The outcome of the race did not take away from the joy of my accomplishment.” She wrote her statement in response to a verbal attack by a state legislator on the trans-identified winning athlete.  “I didn’t feel like first place was taken from me. Instead, I feel like a happy day was turned ugly by a bully who is using children to make political points.  We’re just teenagers navigating high school, and for many of us, sports are a highlight. Soren’s participation did not hurt anyone, but the toxic rhetoric from figures like Rep. Libby threatens to rob certain kids of the opportunity to play sports, simply because of their identity.” Challenging ourselves to achieve and supporting fellow athletes in their achievements is what organized sports should be about, and we would all be better off with this sort of attitude.

  As a woman who has worked in a traditionally male field, wears work boots and jeans, and has short hair, these anti-trans sentiments are much more likely to do me harm than transwomen ever would.  I have never had a negative encounter with a transwoman in a locker room, bathroom, or any other environment.  However, I have had ciswomen threaten me for using the women’s bathroom, and if these prejudices are escalated, I fear being assaulted by police officers or being subject to genital inspections in order to use facilities. Accepting this petition would result in extreme and harmful policies.  Anyone who harasses someone in a restroom or a locker room is exhibiting inappropriate behavior and the behavior should be addressed.  But there is no evidence that transwomen are harassing others or causing any problems.    We shouldn’t punish people for their identity.   Please reject Petition 432.   Thank you for your consideration.