A Turning Tide: UN Report Signals Hope in the Fight Against Radical Gender Ideology, but Maine’s Leaders Resist

In a groundbreaking development, a United Nations draft report has taken a bold stand against the rising tide of radical gender ideology, offering hope to those who have long warned about its dangers. Led by Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, the report titled “Sex-based Violence Against Women and Girls: New Frontiers and Emerging Issues” delivers a powerful critique of transgender policies, asserting that they undermine women’s rights and put vulnerable children at risk [1].

This landmark statement from a UN official marks a significant victory for those advocating for biological reality and the protection of children from irreversible medical interventions.The report explicitly warns that the push to prioritize transgender identities is “actively erasing women and girls” by unlinking biological sex from the definitions of “men” and “women.” Alsalem argues that this move threatens to dismantle hard-won legal protections for females, effectively eroding the foundation of women’s rights worldwide [1].

By framing transgenderism as a force that undermines the very concept of womanhood, the report validates concerns raised by critics who have long argued that gender ideology risks diluting sex-based protections and spaces, such as bathrooms and sports, critical for women’s safety and fairness.Perhaps the most striking element of the report is its call for a complete ban on transgender treatments for minors under 18, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries. Alsalem’s reasoning aligns with what opponents of these practices have been saying for years: children lack the capacity to provide informed consent for such life-altering procedures. The report states, “Allowing children access to such procedures not only violates their right to safety, security, and freedom from violence, but also disregards their human right to the highest standards of health and goes against their best interests” [1].

This position directly challenges the narrative of proponents of gender-affirming care, who often claim these interventions are necessary and reversible, despite growing evidence suggesting otherwise.The UN’s stance is particularly significant given the global context. Countries like Brazil, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have already begun restricting minors’ access to gender-altering treatments, citing concerns about long-term consequences and insufficient evidence [1]. For instance, the UK’s Cass Review highlighted the “remarkably weak” evidence supporting the benefits of gender-affirming care and raised alarms about its potential to disrupt brain development in adolescents [1].

The UN report draws on similar findings, strengthening the international consensus that such treatments may cause more harm than good.For those fighting against the normalization of radical gender ideology, this report is a beacon of hope. It supports the argument that transgender policies often prioritize ideological goals over the well-being of children and the rights of women. The report’s suggestion that gender dysphoria may be “socially contagious” aligns with claims that the rapid rise in transgender identification among youth, particularly teenage girls, may be driven by social pressures rather than innate identity [1].

This perspective challenges the unchecked expansion of gender-affirming care and calls for evidence-based practices that prioritize the best interests of the child.The report represents a cultural and institutional shift, signaling that even global bodies like the United Nations are beginning to question the dogma of gender ideology. For years, critics have faced accusations of bigotry for raising concerns about the erosion of sex-based rights and the medicalization of vulnerable children. Now, with a UN official publicly acknowledging these issues, the tide appears to be turning. Alsalem’s call for tolerance in gender discussions, coupled with her insistence that researchers and academics should not be “silenced, threatened, or intimidated,” is a direct rebuke to the toxic climate that has stifled open debate [1].

This UN report is a huge win for those who have tirelessly advocated for the protection of women’s rights and the safeguarding of children from irreversible decisions they are not equipped to make. It affirms that the fight against radical gender ideology is not a fringe movement but a legitimate cause grounded in science, ethics, and human rights. As more institutions and governments take note, this report could pave the way for a broader reckoning, encouraging policies that prioritize biological reality, parental rights, and the well-being of future generations.Yet, in places like Maine, the fight remains uphill. Democratic leaders like Governor Janet Mills and the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature continue to push policies that prioritize gender identity, allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports and access female-only spaces under the Maine Human Rights Act, amended in 2021.

This stance has drawn federal scrutiny, with the Trump administration launching a Title IX investigation and threatening to withhold funding, met by Mills’ defiant “See you in court.” Even figures like former Republican Senator and current Independent Gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett have resisted change, voting against bills to protect girls’ sports and citing personal anecdotes over public concerns, despite polls showing 64% of Mainers oppose transgender girls in girls’ sports. When will Maine’s Democrats and figures like Bennett come to their senses and do the right thing? With the UN report amplifying global calls for reason, the pressure is mounting for Maine’s leaders to align with evidence and public sentiment, prioritizing the safety and fairness of women and children.The battle is far from over, but the UN’s bold stance offers a powerful reminder that truth and reason can prevail. For those who have stood firm in this fight, this report is a testament to their resilience and a call to keep pushing forward.

Chuck Ellis is the Chair of the Cumberland County Republican Committee.

Source: [1] “United Nations Calls for Ban on Child Gender Treatments, Warns Transgenderism Aims to ‘Erase’ Women,” Slay News, July 22, 2025.