Maine town official refuses to apologize after calling opponents of trans athlete policy ‘pedophilic’

A Kennebunk Maine town official has stepped down from her liaison role with the local school board after facing backlash for suggesting that critics of a transgender athlete procedures have pedophilic tendencies Vice Chair Leslie Trentalange who serves on the Kennebunk Select Board made the comments during an Oct Regional School Unit RSU meeting that focused on the district s transgender-student athlete strategy The protocol consistent with state law allows students to join sports teams and use facilities matching their gender identity Parents and public members across Maine have protested similar policies arguing they violate Title IX protections Trentalange who announced she was speaking as a concerned neighborhood member notified the board that the majority in this district knows that all students are welcome She went on to say that opponents of the transgender plan have creepy obsessions and have made hate their only hobby MAINE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SEES WOMEN UNDRESS IN PROTEST OF TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS SPORTS A GROWING TRENDShe added that their obsession with what is sitting in between the private parts of our students is nothing less than creepy and should absolutely be raising eyebrows in and around our school district Their obsession with genitalia points not to caring for the students in this district but perhaps toward an underlying guilt for their own pedophilic tendencies she continued There is a registry for that Her remarks drew gasps from those in attendance and a quick response from RSU School Board Chair Matthew Stratford who called her comments inappropriate I don t think that was inappropriate and I stand by my comments Trentalange responded FORMER NCAA SWIM CAPTAIN WARNS VIRGINIA ELECTIONS COULD DECIDE FUTURE OF WOMEN S SPORTSHer remarks sparked backlash from specific in the population prompting letters to the Kennebunk Select Board and calls for accountability on social media At an Oct Select Board meeting John Salamone a Republican candidate for Maine Senate District accused Trentalange of violating the town s code of conduct and urged her censure When an elected official uses her platform to publicly slander citizens she undermines the integrity of this board and erodes masses trust in local authorities Salamone commented He called for her removal as liaison to RSU and for a constituents apology Specific residents echoed his criticism while others argued that Trentalange s comments were protected under state law and the First Amendment Former RSU Board member Lesley Stoeffler explained Ms Trentalange does not owe anyone an apology Other residents and board members speaking as private citizens defended her right to free speech Vote them out that is how democracy works Karen Plattes reported in response to calls for punitive action Stifling free speech is not the way And that doesn t matter what side you are on PARENTS VIRGINIA BOYS SUSPENDED AFTER QUESTIONING TRANSGENDER LOCKER ROOM PROTOCOL WERE IGNORED BY SCHOOL I personally feel that Leslie had the right and the freedom of speech to say what she feels about any topic just like any of us do and I will consistently promotion my fellow board members Kortney Nedeau commented I just know that as an elected official for me it is an ethical decision to never cross that line During the same meeting Trentalange acknowledged that her remarks may have pushed particular boundaries but stood by them She declined to apologize to those she criticized and instead expressed regret toward the queer locality If there are folks in the marginalized queer population who feel my message did not serve them or hurt them in any way it is that which I regret she revealed I do also regret any undue or undeserved backlash other members of the Select Board or town staff have felt over my comments as an individual Trentalange noted she would step down as liaison to the school board to avoid any confusion over her role with the school district when attending meetings She remains vice chair of the Kennebunk Select Board RSU Trentalange and the Select Board did not return Fox News Digital s request for comment CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREIn an Oct message posted to Facebook Stratford commented the district s transgender approach complies with the Maine Human Rights Act and will not be revisited this school year He urged civility at future meetings and reminded residents that there is no place for harassment discriminatory language or disrespectful words during community comment