A Kennebunk, Maine, town official has stepped down from her liaison role with the local school board following intense backlash over comments suggesting that critics of a transgender athlete policy have “pedophilic tendencies.”

As reported by Fox News, Vice Chair Leslie Trentalange of the Kennebunk Select Board made the remarks during an Oct. 20 Regional School Unit (RSU) 21 meeting, which focused on a policy allowing transgender students to join sports teams and use facilities aligning with their gender identity, in accordance with Maine state law.

During the meeting, Trentalange said she was speaking as a “concerned community member” and accused opponents of the policy of harboring inappropriate interests.

Leslie Trentalange, Vice Chair of the Kennebunk, Maine Select Board, says parents opposed to males in girls sports are “creepy” and have “p*dophilic tendencies”

What is wrong with these people?!
( I’ve been asking myself that a lot lately) pic.twitter.com/mafBzY8rI4

— Gary M (@gman5180) November 3, 2025

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“The majority in this district knows that all students are welcome,” she said. “Their obsession with what is sitting in between the private parts of our students is nothing less than creepy and should absolutely be raising eyebrows in and around our school district.”

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She continued, “Their obsession with genitalia points not to caring for the students in this district, but perhaps toward an underlying guilt for their own pedophilic tendencies. There is a registry for that.”

Her statements prompted audible gasps from attendees and an immediate rebuke from RSU 21 School Board Chair Matthew Stratford, who called the comments “inappropriate.”

Trentalange refused to retract her remarks, responding, “I don’t think that was inappropriate, and I stand by my comments.”

SHAMEFUL: Kennebunk Select Board member Leslie Trentalange claims concerned parents who don’t want men competing in women’s sports have “pedophilic tendencies” and should be placed on a registry. pic.twitter.com/z1G5iMhj7c

— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) October 27, 2025

The remarks drew sharp criticism from community members and local officials, leading to letters to the Kennebunk Select Board and widespread debate online.

At an Oct. 28 Select Board meeting, John Salamone, a Republican candidate for Maine Senate District 31, accused Trentalange of violating the town’s code of conduct and demanded her censure.

“When an elected official uses her platform to publicly slander citizens, she undermines the integrity of this board and erodes public trust in local government,” Salamone said.

Some residents supported Salamone’s call for accountability, while others defended Trentalange’s right to express her views under free speech protections. Former RSU 21 Board member Lesley Stoeffler said, “Ms. Trentalange does not owe anyone an apology.”

Other residents echoed similar sentiments. “Vote them out, that is how democracy works,” resident Karen Plattes said. “Stifling free speech is not the way. And that doesn’t matter what side you are on.”

Select Board member Kortney Nedeau said, “I personally feel that Leslie had 100% the right and the freedom of speech to say what she feels about any topic, just like any of us do, and I will always support my fellow board members. I just know that as an elected official, for me, it is an ethical decision to never cross that line.”

At the Oct. 28 meeting, Trentalange said she understood her comments had “pushed some boundaries” but refused to apologize to her critics. Instead, she expressed regret only to members of the “queer community” who might have been hurt by her remarks.

“If there are folks in the marginalized, queer community who feel my message did not serve them or hurt them in any way, it is that which I regret,” she said.

Leslie Trentalange (the Kennebunk Karen) has issued an “apology.”

Not to the parents she called pedos.

But to folks in the “marginalized and queer community.” pic.twitter.com/9KGaEoxO9w

— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) October 29, 2025

Trentalange also said she would step down from her liaison role to avoid confusion about her capacity when attending school board meetings, but confirmed she would remain vice chair of the Kennebunk Select Board.

In an Oct. 27 Facebook statement, RSU 21 Chair Matthew Stratford said the district’s transgender policy complies with the Maine Human Rights Act and would not be revisited this school year.

He also called for “civility” at future meetings and reminded attendees that harassment and disrespectful language would not be tolerated.

RSU 21, Trentalange, and the Kennebunk Select Board did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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