Maine Lawmaker Sues After Being Censured for Social Media Posts on Trans Pole Vaulter

Rep. Laurel Libby sues the state House speaker after being stripped of her right to speak or vote on the floor. Maine’s six federal judges recuse themselves.

Lawmakers listen as parents speak about the prospect of their children competing against transgender athletes in school sports at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City on March 25, 2022. Samuel Metz/AP Photo

A Maine lawmaker is suing the speaker of the state House of Representatives who censured her for viral social media posts about a transgender high school athlete who recently won a state championship in girls’ pole vaulting.

The March 11 complaint, filed by Republican state Rep. Laurel Libby of Auburn in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine, alleges that Democratic Rep. Ryan Fecteau violated her civil rights. Fecteau presided over the Feb. 25 vote to strip Libby’s right to speak or vote on the House floor. The resolution was written by Rep. Matt Moonen, also a Democrat, who is not named in the lawsuit.