On Wednesday, Republican State Representative Elizabeth Caruso presented a bill while 2surrounded by students of all ages from across the state.
"Without single sex sports, there can be no 3equal athletic opportunities."
The 4proposed bill is an act to 5ensure 6equity and safety in athletics, restrooms, changing rooms and housing at elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools.
"This bill will ensure that no girl or woman in Maine will ever again have to feel that they have no choice but to 7drop out of a team."
Angelina Boisvert, high school senior athlete who supports this bill, says it's not fair to compete against transgender athletes.
"I've worked so hard just to gain speed and strength, just to 8get like that little bit of edge on other 9athletes. But if there is men competing in our sports, they 10biologically already have that advantage, and I just don't think that it's fair."
But this bill could face 11legal issues.
"Is this bill going to be in 12conflict with Title IX?"
"So this bill is not in conflict with Title IX."
"Title IX requires schools to allow transgender girls to 13participate in girls' sports."
This is one of multiple bills 14submitted this session related to transgender students participating in female sports.
Senate Majority Leader Teresa Pierce says Democrats want to protect the rights of kids, based on the law.
"We're going to protect all kids in Maine. They deserve to be protected. Their families deserve to be protected."
