In arguments on Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court is weighing two cases that could redefine the future of women’s sports. It’s raising the question: Can states ban transgender girls and women from competing in organized sports? Maine and the White House have been at odds for almost a year over the issue of transgender athletes, and while the cases heard in Washington on Tuesday were not related to Maine, it could have an impact on the state.This comes almost a year after Gov. Janet Mills told President Donald Trump she would see him in court over the issue of transgender athletes and Title IX, and Mainers on both sides of this issue are watching it closely. “I’d like to think we want to make sure kids get to have the full experience of going to school. And that includes playing, playing sports,” Gia Drew, executive director at Equality Maine, said. “I think this is the confusing part, is like, what happens to kids when they don’t get to go to school and participate like their friends get to do?” Last legislative session, Maine lawmakers considered eight bills that would not allow transgender athletes to participate in the sports of their gender identity or use the bathroom or changing rooms of their choice. All eight failed.”What’s at stake here is the state’s rights to make good law that protects women and girls sports,” Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, said.Libby has been leading the charge on this issue since she posted photos of a transgender child on her social media accounts last winter. She said she wants the Supreme Court to give the decision back to the states.”I do believe that the only correct ruling would be one that would uphold the state’s rights to pass good law that protects women and girls rights,” she said.The decision from Tuesday’s oral arguments likely won’t be announced until this summer.

WASHINGTON —

In arguments on Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court is weighing two cases that could redefine the future of women’s sports. It’s raising the question: Can states ban transgender girls and women from competing in organized sports?

Maine and the White House have been at odds for almost a year over the issue of transgender athletes, and while the cases heard in Washington on Tuesday were not related to Maine, it could have an impact on the state.

This comes almost a year after Gov. Janet Mills told President Donald Trump she would see him in court over the issue of transgender athletes and Title IX, and Mainers on both sides of this issue are watching it closely.

“I’d like to think we want to make sure kids get to have the full experience of going to school. And that includes playing, playing sports,” Gia Drew, executive director at Equality Maine, said. “I think this is the confusing part, is like, what happens to kids when they don’t get to go to school and participate like their friends get to do?”

Last legislative session, Maine lawmakers considered eight bills that would not allow transgender athletes to participate in the sports of their gender identity or use the bathroom or changing rooms of their choice. All eight failed.

“What’s at stake here is the state’s rights to make good law that protects women and girls sports,” Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, said.

Libby has been leading the charge on this issue since she posted photos of a transgender child on her social media accounts last winter. She said she wants the Supreme Court to give the decision back to the states.

“I do believe that the only correct ruling would be one that would uphold the state’s rights to pass good law that protects women and girls rights,” she said.

The decision from Tuesday’s oral arguments likely won’t be announced until this summer.