Facebook pages circulate post falsely implying 2 Westbrook children are trans

Westbrook Community Unites After False Claims Targeting High‑School Soccer Players

A controversy that began with a single Facebook post has drawn a wide‑ranging reaction from city officials, lawmakers, and parents in Westbrook. The post, which circulated last week, incorrectly suggested that two girls on the Westbrook High School soccer team are transgender. The claim sparked an immediate backlash, prompting the removal of the offending posts, condemnation from school leadership, and renewed scrutiny of the state‑wide debate over transgender athletes.

The Incident

On Friday, the Parents’ Rights In Education (PRIE) Maine Facebook page shared a photograph of the Westbrook High School girls soccer roster. Two players were labeled in a caption that read, “it’s not fair.” The post was also reposted on the Westbrook Beat, a local Facebook group that describes itself as a “conservative watchdog” for city affairs. Westbrook officials and community members quickly identified the post as false and demeaning. Within hours, both pages removed the content after the moderators received a flurry of reports from concerned residents.

Community Leaders Respond

Westbrook Mayor David Morse issued a statement on Facebook that day: “The recent social media posts targeting our student‑athletes are unacceptable. Singling out children and using their photographs to advance a political agenda is wrong, and our community should be clear in rejecting it. These are young people who deserve to learn, build friendships, play sports, and take pride in representing Westbrook. They should not have to worry that adults will turn their team photos into material for a political attack.”

State Representative Sue Salisbury, a Democrat from Westbrook, echoed the mayor’s condemnation. “I was sick to my stomach,” she said when speaking to local media. “After the posts were shared Friday, my phone started blowing up. Very quickly, community members worked together to report the posts, find out where they came from, and ask the moderators of the Facebook accounts to take them down. After a few hours, both pages took down the posts. The message was loud and clear that in Westbrook, we’re not going to tolerate this hateful behavior.”

Superintendent Peter Lancia and the Westbrook High School administration posted a joint message on the school’s Facebook page. “Personal attacks, harassment and public targeting of student‑athletes have no place in our school community,” Lancia wrote. “We do not tolerate language or behavior that demeans or marginalizes others. We stand firmly in support of all of our students.”

The Source of the Post

PRIE Maine is the state chapter of a national parents’‑rights group that has been campaigning for a citizens’ initiative to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports or using school facilities. The organization’s Maine page has repeatedly called for a referendum to “protect girls’ sports.” In the past year, a similar controversy erupted when Representative Laurel Libby of Auburn posted a photo of a student‑athlete from Greely High School on her official Facebook page, identifying the student as transgender. The post prompted a national debate and resulted in Libby’s censure by the Maine House, followed by a federal lawsuit alleging a violation of her constitutional rights.

The same PRIE Maine initiative failed to qualify for the November ballot last year because organizers did not gather enough valid signatures. Supporters have said they plan to try again for a 2027 ballot measure.

Parent and Student Reactions

The Portland Press Herald attempted to contact the parents of one of the two players targeted by the false post. The parent, who wished to remain anonymous, criticized the Facebook post, stating that “every parent should be outraged.” The other player’s family has not responded to inquiries. Both families have expressed concerns about their children’s safety and the potential for bullying.

The Westbrook Beat and PRIE Maine have not responded to requests for comment. The moderators of the Westbrook Beat did not answer questions on Facebook, and PRIE Maine’s director, Allen Sarvinas, remains silent. Sarvinas is the Maine director of the national organization, and his wife, Annalyse Sarvinas, is a candidate for the Maine House District 51 seat.

A Broader Context

This incident underscores an ongoing national conversation about transgender participation in youth sports. While Westbrook’s school administration and city officials have condemned the hateful posts, the state continues to see heated discussions over a pending referendum aimed at limiting transgender athletes’ rights. The debate is further complicated by the political weight carried by public officials who have previously used student photographs to advance their positions.

Looking Ahead

In the wake of the incident, Westbrook’s community has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity and safety for all students. Mayor Morse and Rep. Salisbury called for a “loud and clear” rejection of hateful behavior, and the school has pledged to continue supporting all student-athletes. Meanwhile, the PRIE Maine organization remains active in advocating for the upcoming referendum. Whether the movement will succeed in 2027 remains to be seen, but for now, Westbrook residents appear united in their defense of their students and their school community.