Do people really believe that fixating on kids’ genitals makes them safer? From athletes at the Summer Olympics, to our neighbors in the Cumberland School District, there is a growing obsession with trans people in sports.

As an after-school, nursery and classroom teacher, I’ve worked with kids in several contexts. I’m very familiar with best practices to protect kids’ privacy and safety. Let me be clear: fixating on kids’ genitals does not keep them safe. While it’s obviously not OK for elected officials to doxx children, or for school staff to scrutinize student’s bodies (creepy!), the real issue here is not kids playing sports; it’s Trump breaking the law.

The law is clear: Congress controls spending, including any conditions needed to receive federal grants — not the president. Trump and Musk are using kids as pawns in their agenda to illegally defund public services that benefit all of us, and so it’s time for all of us to stand up. And I do mean all of us. Some people may not know a trans kid, but all Mainers benefit from strong public schools, from local farms, and from cancer research.

Gov. Mills had our rights in mind when she said, “This is about whether a president can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation.” I invite readers to call Mills’ office (207-287-3531) to thank her for standing up against Trump, standing for the Constitution, and for the rights of all Mainers.

Rebecca Pruente
Portland