It’s disturbing to see local protests aimed at silencing voices speaking on behalf of female athletes across Maine. The advocacy for fairness and safety in sports is grounded in an absolute majority of Mainers. Males competing in female sports undermines the opportunities Title IX was created to protect. It forces ideology to trump fairness and intimidates every female athlete.

Those trying to shut Rep. Laurel Libby down (“Laurel Libby draws impassioned crowd to Topsham event as she weighs run for governor,” July 16) aren’t defending rights, they’re attacking freedom of speech. Whether people agree with her or not, every citizen and elected official has the right to speak without fear of intimidation or cancellation. Mainers are tired of the shallow rhetoric based upon division.

This event is voicing the concerns of countless Maine parents who believe Maine’s daughters deserve a level playing field and safe spaces. Do these mean protesters know a family directly harmed by unfair competition is speaking? Where is the tolerance and compassion for this woman and daughter?

We need more leaders with the courage to stand for Maine’s daughters. Let’s support the right to speak, even when others try to shout people down.

Allen Sarvinas
Topsham