Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles is facing criticism after comparing transgender youth to children who identify as animals and invoking the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark while discussing gender identity. During an interview with Christian Civic League of Maine leader Nick Adolphsen, Charles criticized schools for accommodating LGBTQ+ students.
Charles said, “You’ve got kids now that apparently think that they’re cats and dogs, and we are accommodating that…Garbage. What do you do, by the way, when you get to be 20, and you break it to them? Actually, you’re not a cat, and you will have to go to work and going to not do this kitty litter crap anymore?” The conversation centered on parental rights and claims that Maine schools help students socially transition without informing parents. Charles pledged immediate action if elected governor. He said, “I’m going to make Donald Trump, who I like, look slow…We’re going to move very fast.”
Charles also criticized gender-affirming care and compared gender dysphoria to phobias. He said, “We know the Bible has a very clear understanding. Noah didn’t take 27 genders of animals. He just took two as far as I remember…There’s only one God and he makes male and female and that’s the way that will always work.”
