Republican State Representative Laurel Libby of Auburn is officially censured for posting the photo and first name of a transgender athlete who won a high school sports event.
The social media post has sparked national attention, including from President Donald Trump who’s threatened to cut Maine’s federal funding over the state’s transgender sports policy.
The censure resolution passed Monday night on a party-line vote, with House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) calling it a “sham censure.”
House Speaker Ryan Fecteau said sharing images of children online without their consent violates lawmakers’ code of conduct.
“Sharing images of kids online without their consent is a clear violation of the bond of trust and respect between citizens and their Legislators,” said Fecteau in a statement. “There is a time and place for policy debates. That time and place will never be a social media post attacking a Maine student. Maine kids, and all Maine people, deserve better.”
The censure means that Libby won’t be able to speak or vote on the House floor unless she apologizes, which she has vowed not to do.
Faulkingham also released a statement.
“Whether you agree or disagree with the post, it doesn’t violate Facebook community standards.,” said Faulkingham. “There are no rules in place that define guidelines on social media posts or the use of publicly available photos. A member of the majority party shared a post supporting a convicted murderer and terrorist fugitive but is not facing the same repercussions. The majority party should get to work on the important issues facing Maine and stop bullying the minority party. It is not a good look.”
