EqualityMaine

02/02/2026

📣 Action needed!! Pledge to protect Maine from an extremist, out-of-state billionaire attempting to buy power in Maine! tinyurl.com/protectmaineschools

Signatures have been submitted by petitioners attempting to roll back rights for Mainers, but let’s be clear: There’s nothing “grassroots” about it! Out-of-state hard-right donor Richard Uihlein has dumped nearly $1 million into this effort attacking Maine public schools and long-standing policies regarding school sports and bathrooms.

The proposed ballot question isn’t a grassroots campaign - it's part of a national political agenda funded by right-wing billionaires with a long history of attacking LGBTQ+ people, reproductive rights, democracy, unions and more.

We cannot allow out-of-state extremists to buy themselves political power at the expense of Maine kids.
Join Mainers in pledging to vote NO to save Maine values and freedoms, and protect our Maine kids.

Pledge to oppose this initiative: tinyurl.com/protectmaineschools

01/29/2026

Join Q***rly ME and Equality Maine for another intergenerational storytelling & speed-friending gathering! This time we will be meeting in Ellsworth to share and learn about matters of the heart. Stories will highlight romantic, platonic, or familial love.

Following our storytelling hour, we invite participants to engage in an intergenerational speed-friending activity during which we will pair up folks from different generations to hold mini-conversations with each other. Every 2 to 5 minutes, we will create new pairs and introduce a new conversation prompt to discuss.

Exact location and additional details will be shared with those who register. Please keep in mind that capacity is limited, and that if we reach capacity, we will not be able to allow drop-ins. Masks offered at the door—please stay home if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.

By the way, we’re still accepting submissions until February 3rd! If you have a story you want to share, please reach out.

01/29/2026

01/29/2026

We are angry and heartbroken over the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,Keith Porter, Parady La, Heber Sanchaz Domìnguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, and Geraldo Lunas Campos, and mourn the countless others whose lives were cruelly taken by ICE.

While this violence may feel new or has escalated quickly for many, it’s important to remember that state-sanctioned violence has been the lived reality for Black people, Native people, and people of color for over 400 years in America.

01/26/2026

Did you know that the federal government opted to slash healthcare for millions of Americans and fund I.C.E.instead? If this makes you furious, we need you to contact your senators today!

As soon as Tuesday, the Senate will vote on spending bills that include $64 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE and Border Patrol.

Enough is enough. Call and email your senator today. Tell them to vote NO on any package that includes ICE funding.

https://tinyurl.com/melticefunding

01/21/2026

Today our Q***r Youth Art Club is cancelled! 🙁 See you on Wednesday, February 18.

01/18/2026

Calling all Portland area LGBTQ+ youth!

Join EqualityMaine's New Leaders Project for a crafts and game meetup at the Equality Community Center on Friday, January 23.

This youth-centered space is filled with a rotating inventory of activities from games, to friendship bracelets and crafts, to LGBTQ+ movie afternoons, all while making connections and building community. No registration required or cost to attend!

🌈LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies Grades 7-12
📍Equality Community Center, Portland, ME
📆Fourth Fridays of the Month
⏰4:00-7:00 PM
Community, Games, Snacks, Crafts
Got questions? Email kelly@equalitymaine.org!

01/18/2026

We are so excited to report Maine has already gotten over 100 responses for Out: The Community Survey – but is your voice part of that groundswell? If not, take a few minutes today to ensure your voice is heard, too!

Are you
- LGBTQIA+,
- have a loved one who is, or
- work professionally serving our communities?

We need you to speak out today and help build our power to tell the world how our lives have been impacted by the current administration.

Take and share this anonymous survey now!
bit.ly/OUTCommunitySurvey

01/16/2026

Registration is officially open for this year’s Safer Schools Conference!

Register now at equalitymaine.org/safer-schools-conference!

The Safer Schools Conference is organized by EqualityMaine, Educate Maine, and Cumberland County Public Health with the support of community partners and organizations to drive the mission of increasing identity-related safety and inclusion for youth in Maine.

The focus of this day-long conference is to uplift, empower, and educate youth, educators, and other youth service providers in this mission through workshops and panel discussions that focus on supporting LGBTQ+ youth and allies, GSTA’s, mental health & well being, as well as workshops centered on inclusion and mattering for BIPOC students, and students with disabilities.

The exact location of this year’s Safer Schools Conference will be shared through registration and via direct communication with schools, organizations, and individuals.

Youth in grades 7-12, Educators & School Staff, Youth Service Providers
Friday, March 27th, 2026
Central Maine

Adults will receive a contact hours professional development certificate issued by Educate Maine.

01/15/2026

Are you a trans person looking for info about interactions with ICE and law enforcement?

Our friends at Transgender Law Center have some comprehensive resources available for you. We understand that everyone’s risk level of interacting with law enforcement and ICE differs based on race, gender identity, immigration status, and other factors. This guide is meant to familiarize you with a broad overview of your rights during an interaction with law enforcement. We hope that this information is useful to you and that this knowledge will empower you to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Head to equalitymaine.org/trans-resources/ for a comprehensive list of resources from Transgender Law Center.

01/14/2026

Join EqualityMaine's New Leaders Project and Rainbow Arts Collective for an origami night at Ellard Art Studio, led by RAC organizer River Nation!

This event is free for LGBTQIA+ youth in grades 6-12 with plenty of snacks, music, and creative vibes. Not feeling origami? No problem! Bring your own craft from home or dig through our miscellaneous supplies to create your own art.

Join us this month for Q***r Youth Art Club: Youth & Families - Origami Night
Ellard Art Studio, Lewiston, ME
Third Wednesday of the Month
4:00-6:00 PM
Community, Snacks, Rotating Art Workshops
Got questions? Email kelly@equalitymaine.org!

01/13/2026

Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, two cases on laws barring transgender athletes from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams.

While we won’t know the outcome of these cases for several months, we do know this: trans kids belong on teams. Trans athletes belong in the future. And trans rights shouldn’t be a game that politicians play to score political points.

Keep the T in Team.