Fathers Rally to Protect Girls' Sports in Maine

In rural towns and urban centers across Maine, a quiet but powerful movement is taking shape—not driven by ideology, but by a deep respect for truth, fairness, and the natural order. A group of fathers, known as Maine Girl Dads, has stepped forward to protect what has long been a fundamental principle in athletics: that competition should be based on biological sex. Their effort, now gathering momentum through a petition campaign, aims to place a clear and principled measure on the 2026 ballot.

The initiative, “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex,” seeks to ensure that athletic teams, locker rooms, and restrooms are organized according to biological sex. This is not a call for division or exclusion. It is a call to uphold consistency in rules that have governed sports for generations. When girls train, compete, and earn their places on teams, they do so knowing the playing field is defined by shared biology. That fairness is not negotiable—it is foundational.

Despite strong support in the Maine House of Representatives, two bills designed to protect girls’ sports were blocked in the Senate, where partisan politics often outweighed common sense. Faced with legislative inaction, the fathers chose a different path—direct democracy. By collecting signatures from across the state, they are bringing the issue to the people, where it belongs.

So far, more than 53,000 Mainers have signed the petition. That number is not just a statistic—it reflects a widespread understanding that something important is at stake. People from all walks of life, including teachers, coaches, and other parents, are stepping forward. They’re not angry. They’re not seeking to harm anyone. They simply believe that fairness in sports should not be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness.

This isn’t about identity. It’s about reality. Science, biology, and measurable differences matter—especially in competition. When athletic opportunities are based on sex, girls have a chance to succeed on their own merits. When that standard is abandoned, the hard work of young athletes is devalued. A girl who trains for years to earn a spot on her high school team deserves to know that her effort will be measured against others like her, not against those with different physical attributes shaped by biology.

The broader cultural moment is clear: public policy is increasingly shaped not by facts, but by shifting narratives. In schools, in healthcare, and now in athletics, the idea that identity can override biology is gaining ground. But when we allow that shift to define our rules, we erode trust in institutions and weaken the foundation of merit. The future of our communities depends on shared, objective standards—especially in areas where outcomes are measurable.

The Maine Girl Dads aren’t demanding special rights. They’re standing for the same fairness that has always been expected in sports. They’re not opposed to compassion or inclusion—they simply believe that inclusion should not come at the cost of integrity. A level playing field is not a privilege; it’s a promise.

As the petition moves forward, one thing remains certain: the values at stake are not political. They are human. They are rooted in the belief that every young person should have the chance to succeed based on their effort, their talent, and their biological reality. When we protect that truth in sports, we aren’t closing doors—we’re keeping them open for those who belong there.

The time to act is now. Not out of fear, but out of love—for our daughters, our schools, and the enduring principles that make American life meaningful.

Published: 11/17/2025