Maine House Rep. Laurel Libby (R) spoke inside the Donald P. Corbett (DPC) business building on Nov. 19 at the University of Maine about the importance of free speech – all the while over 100 student activists were chanting outside to protest her presence on campus due to past actions and conservative ideology. Sitting down with Libby, she remained unapologetic about her opposition to policies expanding transgender rights, framing this stance as part of her commitment to upholding the first amendment.
In an interview with the Maine Campus directly following the event, Libby explained that she chose to visit UMaine because college is a particularly formative time, and students must know their rights as they develop political opinions. In the same vein, she applauded the students who protested outside of her event for exercising their first amendment right. However, Libby does not agree with those who feel she should not be allowed to speak on campus.
“This is a taxpayer funded institution, and there needs to be equal opportunity for free speech, regardless of whether we agree with that speech or not,” said Libby.
Libby is a Republican politician who represents District 90 (Auburn/Minot) in the Maine House. She is most known for her refusal to comply with a 2021 COVID-19 mask mandate in the State House and her efforts to keep transgender girls from participating in competitive school sports as a means of advocating for biological females.
Back in February, Libby made a post on Facebook that sparked a censure by the Maine House of Representatives– meaning she could not vote until a formal apology was issued. The post in question highlighted that a transgender female who earned fifth place in boys’ pole vault went on to place first in girls’ pole vault during a competition the following year. The athlete’s face and name were included in the post, which some considered to be malicious doxxing of a minor. Libby brought her case to the Supreme Court, which reinstated her voting rights in the House.
Despite controversies surrounding Libby’s past three terms in the House, members of Turning Point USA UMaine Chapter and UMaine Conservatives, among others, joined her talk to learn about the first amendment and its importance in the current political climate.
Prior to the event, protesters gathered nearby at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Undergraduate student Eddie Nachamie and graduate student Kaia De Vries kicked off the demonstration with a few words about why students should make their voices heard in support of transgender community members. They explained that Libby promotes hateful rhetoric and harmful legislation that puts healthcare, voting and public safety at risk. Specifically, transphobia was the primary concern expressed by those protesting.
“That’s not something that’s welcome on the UMaine campus, that’s not something that’s up for debate,” said De Vries. “We know that trans identities are valid and we know that these people have a place in our community and we want them here.”
Sen. Mike Tipping, who represents Orono, spoke at the protest. He mentioned Maine has voted down every attack on transgender people and on health care and will continue to do so thanks to legislators who value basic human rights. He added that the state faces problems, but these problems do not involve transgender youth who simply want to play sports on teams of the gender they identify with. Tipping feels that Libby’s work in government does not involve bettering the lives of Mainers.
“Her [Libby’s] project is tearing people, tearing things apart. It’s setting us against each other. It’s targeting vulnerable children in order to raise money and gain power.”
Students for Democratic Society member Gabe Veilleux led the crowd in chants. Some of which included “Say it loud, say it clear: trans folks are welcome here!,” “Laurel Libby, f*ck off, go home!” and “You call it law, we call it war. We won’t take these attacks no more!”
Inside the event, some students and community members joined the audience due to a genuine interest in hearing Libby’s insights. Others were there in opposition, heckling with arguments that challenged Libby’s ideas as she spoke.
Libby’s event and conversation with the Maine Campus focused on why it is vital to preserve the right to free speech. One personal anecdote was in reference to the controversial post regarding a transgender teenager who competed in pole vault. Libby refused to retract her stance as a form of advocacy for biological females. She added that 80 percent of the U.S. and two-thirds of Mainers agree that “boys shouldn’t participate in girls’ sports.”
Later on in the speech, Libby spoke of the Charlie Kirk assassination, citing it as an example of violent infringement on free speech. She, among other supporters of Kirk, intends to continue his legacy of promoting conservative values and encouraging appropriate discourse on contentious subjects.
Outside DPC, student activists continued their demonstration as the sun went down in an effort to show Libby that she is not welcome on campus as a legislator against transgender rights.
As attendees filtered out of the event, protest participant and student Bao Duong was spit on by an unknown person outside DPC, he told the Maine Campus. He added that it was completely unprovoked because he had not spoken to, or looked in the direction of the perpetrator, who appeared to be a student and supporter of the Libby event, according to Bao.
“She spat on me and then quickly walked toward the CCA lot. Overall, it’s just sad that a person is compelled to act so irrationally and violently just because people don’t share the same mindset as them,” said Bao.
One student was asked to leave by a UMPD officer for repeatedly speaking over Libby. Others chimed in during various moments without reprimand, besides other attendees shushing them.
Political science student Brayden Luedke asked Libby to elaborate more on the death of Charlie Kirk and how to continue his message. She responded that speaking freely and refusing to back down in the way Kirk did encourages others to do the same, adding that conservatives should not be intimidated into silence.
Community member Jeanne Griffin asked Libby where the line is between free speech and hate speech. Libby said that she considers herself a “free-speech absolutist,” meaning that no infringements on speech should be tolerated so long as it does not cause direct harm to others.
After citing Libby’s opposition to abortion healthcare and alignment with Donald Trump, College Democrats member Maeve Durkee asked what she is doing for women. Libby responded that she is standing up for biological reality to preserve women’s rights. She added that society has gone backwards in protecting women since improvements over the past 50 years.
In terms of support for transgender Mainers who do not wish to participate in sports, Libby holds firm that it still puts women at risk because “our rights end, where another person’s rights begin,” she told the Maine Campus.
Libby shared that she opted against running for re-election in order to launch the Lead Maine Committee, which is currently working to support Susan Collins’ campaign for a sixth Senate term.
“I can be of more benefit to liberty in our state by launching Lead Maine, which is a statewide effort, and working to win our state back and make Maine a more conservative state where individuals, families and businesses flourish for the long term,” said Libby.
As Libby exited the building around 5:30 p.m., the crowd of protesters was still there. Trying to address the uproar of student activists, she was ultimately unable to be heard through the commotion. Libby concluded her time at UMaine after turning to exit another DPC door. The outpour of commentary for the politician has a strong heartbeat on campus. Ranging from admiration to distaste, the public opinion has been heard peacefully.
