Parroting the talking points of other far-right activists currently waging a culture war against both educators and transgender youths, first-term state Rep. Katrina Smith has promised to introduce legislation that would serve no purpose other than to perpetuate the alienation endured by some of Maine’s most vulnerable young people (“Parents’ rights are being taken away at schools,” column, Jan. 27). While offering no understanding or insight into the lived experience of youths with gender dysphoria, Rep. Smith has taken up the catch-all cudgel of “parental rights” to make it harder for young people to find support during one of the most difficult transitions any person could have to make.

Thankfully, a majority of better informed lawmakers will certainly keep any proposed legislation from passing but simply introducing such a bill would be an ugly stain on our state. I do not believe Rep. Smith is bigoted, merely ignorant. This kind of ignorance is unfortunate in society at large, but is truly dangerous among those entrusted with positions of power. Hopefully, those of us in Rep. Smith’s district who care about the health and safety of Maine’s transgender youth will remember this, should she choose to run for re-election.

Jonathan Strieff

South China