EqualityMaine

12/11/2025

CoverME.gov is your one-stop shop to compare quality health insurance plans, find savings, and get real support from people who understand your situation and your options.

Enroll on Coverme.gov by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Final deadline to enroll is January 15 for coverage starting February 1.

12/10/2025

Today is International Human Rights Day.

We’re here to remind everyone that human dignity is not optional; it’s the minimum standard for how societies should operate. Human rights should never be up for debate or compromised on.

But only if we choose — every day — to build systems and advocate for policies that protect them.

Whether it’s fighting for LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights, tribal sovereignty, disability justice, or voting rights, we are committed to building a brighter, more inclusive future here in Maine. Together, we can protect and fight for human rights today and every day. Because human rights are not optional. They are the minimum standard to create a better future.

12/09/2025

12/08/2025

Thank you so much for attending the Great Pumpkin Ball on Friday, October 31st at the State Theatre in Portland! We hope that you had a wonderful experience. In order to continuously improve the event, we would be grateful if you could please take a moment to fill out the quick survey below and share your experience and feedback with us about this year's Great Pumpkin Ball.

Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a raffle to receive 2 tickets to our Annual Awards & Gala taking place this spring. We will use this feedback during next year's planning of the Great Pumpkin Ball 2026 to ensure the event is as reflective of the community's interests and needs as possible.

Please take a moment to complete the post-event survey here.
https://tinyurl.com/pumpkinballsurvey

If you are interested in helping curate The Great Pumpkin Ball next year, be on the look out for our Pumpkin Ball Planning Committee 2026 announcements this summer!

12/07/2025

One week away! Our in-person training still has space available. Register today!

This free, three hour interacting Safety Plan Intervention (SPI) Training is designed specifically for school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and LCPCs to enhance your skills in supporting LGBTQ+ students.
Led by our MSW Student Intern Cal Megan, this session combines the Stanley-Brown SPI model with elements of the QueerCare Model, offering practical, hands-on strategies you can apply right away. Participate in engaging discussions, explore real-world applications, and connect with fellow professionals—all available in-person and virtually.

Don’t miss this chance to create safer, more affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth! Participants will receive an EqualityMaine Professional Development Certificate and Contact Hours.

Our virtual training has minimal spots left, if interested, please email Cal at intern@equalitymaine.org!

For the in-person training, sign up here:
tinyurl.com/EQMEtrainings

12/06/2025

Transition into winter nesting mode with EqualityMaine's New Leaders Project on Friday, December 12th at the Bangor Region YMCA Teen Center! We will be watching a short q***r film while collaging gratitude journals, and exploring ways to craft our own stories using nature themes!

No registration required or cost to attend!
🌈LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies Grades 7-12
📍Bangor Region YMCA Teen Center
📆Second Fridays of the Month
⏰3:00-6:00 PM
🎨Community, Film, Snacks, Crafts
Got questions? Email kelly@equalitymaine.org!

12/04/2025

Join us tomorrow from 6:00pm - 7:30pm for a free screening of "AIDS Diva: The Legend of Connie Norman" and discussion with Director Dante Alencastre at the Portland Museum of Art.

Screenshot to scan the QR code or head to peabodycenter.org/worldaidsday to reserve your free tickets now!

"AIDS DIVA: The Legend of Connie Norman” is a documentary film on the self-appointed “AIDS DIVA” and masterful spokesperson for ACT UP /Los Angeles in the late 80s and early 90’s Los Angeles. Connie described herself as “ex-drag queen, ex-hooker, ex-IV drug user, ex-high risk youth and current post-operative tr*******al woman who is HIV positive” and simply “a human being seeking my humanity.”

Director Dante Alencastre said, “While the found video revealed Connie immediately to be an unexpectedly fascinating character, as we created the film, the depth of Connie’s call to action and the very issues she faced, grew in resonance with our present moment."

12/03/2025

Join EqualityMaine's New Leaders Project and MaineTransNet for a q***r & cozy winter retreat! ❄🌈

This program will have a warm lodge as our home-base: we will engage in wintry-themed leadership activities, cook and share meals together, explore the natural winter wonderland around us, and relax in the evenings by the fire. Participants can expect lots of cheer, activities, reflection, and LGBTQIA+ community as we spend these three days and two nights together.

📍Western Maine (exact location shared upon registration OR email Kelly@equalitymaine.org for more info!)
📆 Monday, February 16th - Wednesday, February 18th
⏰ Camper Drop-Off on Monday at 10:00 AM. Pick-Up at 4:30 pm Wednesday
🌈 Open to all youth in grades 8th-12th
🎟️ Limited to 16 participants.

Register today!
tinyurl.com/NLPwinterretreat

12/02/2025

For over 40 years, EqualityMaine has been fighting to advance and protect the rights of Maine’s LGBTQ+ community. We need your support now more than ever. Right now, our community is facing coordinated attacks—through proposed policies, ballot measures, harmful rhetoric, and attempts to roll back protections at every level. The goal of these efforts is clear: to divide us and erase hard-won progress. But together, we can push back.

Together, we can keep Maine safe, welcoming, and strong. Your support doesn’t just fuel our work: it becomes part of our shared impact. Donate today at equalitymaine.org/donate 🏳️‍🌈

Make a contribution to EqualityMaine today to support our efforts to safeguard and advance LGBTQ+ equality. To maximize your impact, consider becoming a sustaining donor! You can set up a recurring gift that works for your budget and take pride in being a steadfast member of the fight for equality.

Start or increase your recurring gift now and get a free large Progress or Trans Flag mailed to you (while supplies last!) at equalitymaine.org/freeflag/

Swipe to see moments where we felt held by all of you in this work. Thank you for showing up! Together, we can create a better Maine for all of us.

12/01/2025

This World AIDS Day, we want you to remember: the AIDS crisis isn’t over!

World AIDS Day serves as an important reminder that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to prevent new HIV infections and provide essential services to all people living with HIV globally. This day comes after the federal government not only cut funding for hard-earned HIV research and progress, it also has refused to formally commemorate this day. Despite significant scientific advancements in HIV treatment and prevention, many people worry about efforts to end this ongoing crisis.

Systemic issues like racism, poverty, stigma, and homophobia also continue to create barriers to prevention and care. These inequities disproportionately impact gay and bisexual men—especially Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino communities—who remain overrepresented in the HIV epidemic.

Right now, we are in the worst HIV/AIDS outbreak in Maine’s history. Thankfully, local healthcare providers and community partners are working together to find innovative solutions to this outbreak.

Swipe to the last slide to see a list of providers who are working tirelessly on harm reduction, treatment, education, and prevention!

Mabel Wadsworth Center
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Maine Family Planning
Needlepoint Sanctuary of Maine
PrEP207
Wabanaki Public Health Alliance
Maine General Health

12/01/2025

Join us for World AIDS Day as we honor the past and reaffirm our commitment to HIV/AIDS services and advocacy in the year ahead.

11/30/2025

Calling all school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and LCPCs - enhance your skills in supporting LGBTQ+ students with EqualityMaine’s free three hour interactive Safety Plan Intervention (SPI) Training!

Led by our MSW Student Intern Cal Megan, this session combines the Stanley-Brown SPI model with the QueerCare Model, offering practical, hands-on strategies you can apply right away. Participate in engaging discussions, explore real-world applications, and connect with fellow professionals—all available in-person and virtually.

Don’t miss this chance to create safer, more affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth! Participants will receive an EqualityMaine Professional Development Certificate and Contact Hours.

Our virtual training is full, but there are still spots open for the in person training!

Sign up here:
tinyurl.com/EQMEtrainings