A referendum referendum in Maine has sparked heated debate about the impact of restrictions on transgender students' access to sports, bathrooms, and other private spaces. The debate, which began last year, began when the administration of President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funding due to state's policies protecting trans students' rights to have affirming spaces in schools, including playing on teams aligning with their gender identity. The referendum would allow anyone to sue a school district if it allows trans students’ access to private teams and private bathrooms. Critics argue that the bill discriminates against trans students, while supporters argue that it does not ignore or exclude anyone. The lead petitioner of the referendum, Leyland Streiff, said the bill takes a progressive stance of respecting people who present their gender in whatever way they feel comfortable.