EqualityMaine

05/06/2026

In Maine and across the country, people are waking up to the fact that the anti-trans ballot initiatives funded by hard-right billionaires are really an attempt to distract people from real issues like affordability and healthcare. It’s also part of a strategy to drive right wing votes this fall. As Mother Jones Magazine noted in an article this week:

“Opponents of the Maine measure have argued that the issue is being blown out of proportion in service of a larger agenda. Last year, a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against the state Education Department identified just three trans girls playing girls’ high school sports in the state.

‘We really want Mainers to understand that this is not about sports, it’s about a national extremist attempt to take over Maine politics and drive the conversation in November,’ Destie Hohman Sprague, executive director of the Maine Women’s Lobby, told the Maine Beacon.”

Join us in pledging to vote no on this harmful ballot question this fall at freeandfairschools.com.

05/03/2026

We were thrilled to be a part of the Heightened Scrutiny screening at the Maine Jewish Film Festival.

Heightened Scrutiny is a powerful, stirring documentary that follows Chase Strangio as he prepares oral arguments in the Supreme Court case US v. Skrmetti, but this film reveals how attacks — in media, policy, and law — have directly impacted the trans community and why they should alarm anyone who values civil rights, bodily autonomy, and democratic principles. ⚖️

Amid the surge in anti-trans legislation that civil rights attorney Chase Strangio battles in the courtroom, he must also fight against media bias, exposing how the narratives in the press influence public perception, policy and law and shape the fight for transgender rights.

After the film, Executive Director Gia Drew and Stephen Engel, Professor and Associate Chair of Politics at Bates College talked about how anti-trans attacks have escalated rapidly across the country over the last six years, how the Supreme Court have used legal strategy to rule against trans people, and what battles Maine’s trans community is currently facing as a result.

One of our favorite quotes from the movie is from Chase Strangio after he exits the Supreme Court and talks to the crowd gathered outside:

"We are in this together. Our power only grows. I love being trans. I love being with you. And we are going to take care of each other."

05/01/2026

It’s a big day - tickets are ON SALE NOW for the EqualityMaine Annual Awards! This year, we will be in the Bangor area on Saturday, June 27th! The EqualityMaine Annual Awards is a yearly celebration to uplift and honor members of our community for their dedication to the LGBTQ+ movement.

This year’s event has a few fresh twists to represent the full spectrum of Maine’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. First, we are hosting a two-part event! The night will begin with an all-ages Awards Event to celebrate our community and share in joy together. The second part of our event will be an After Party - an 18+ Pride Party with live entertainment, music, and dancing.

Come celebrate distinguished members of our community and then stay to dance the night away!
Buy tickets here and join the celebration:
Equalitymaine.org/2026awards

We have three ticketing tiers in an effort to make these events accessible to our entire community. If the cost is a barrier, please reach out to info@equalitymaine.org.

04/29/2026

Join EqualityMaine, OUT Maine , and youth from across the state at an LGBTQ+ And Allies Youth Leadership Day in Augusta! Our day will be focused on civic education, advocacy, and how young people can be politically active in their communities. Lunch provided!

Email kelly@equalitymaine.org with questions, and register at tinyurl.com/LGBTQLeadershipDay.

📅 Exact date in May sent upon registration or email kelly@equalitymaine.org for info
💬Learn about advocacy and how to use your voice politically
🌈Practice your new skills with young people from across the state
🍕Debrief & Discussion with a Pizza Lunch

04/28/2026

04/27/2026

Important action opportunity alert! 📢

The Secretary of State’s Office has released the draft language for the ballot question for the anti-trans ballot initiative. Now the public has until May 7th to submit public comment before the final question is published.

Your feedback is very important AND we’ve created a guide to support you step by step in writing and submitting! Check out our guide at freeandfairschools.com/public-comment-guide.

04/25/2026

Join us at the Maine Jewish Film Festival Screening of Heightened Scrutiny and post-film discussion with our Executive Director Gia Drew and Stephen Engel, Professor and Associate Chair of Politics, Bates College.

One case. National consequences.
Follow ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he takes on a landmark Supreme Court battle over gender-affirming care in Heightened Scrutiny. This urgent, “affecting portrait” (The Guardian) exposes how media narratives shape policy—and lives.

Buy tickets now at mjff.org/film/heightened-scrutiny/

04/23/2026

Happy Le***an Visibility Week to all the le***ans out there!! 🧡🤍💗

A day without le***ans is like a day without sunshine. To all the butches, femmes, genderfluid and nonbinary le***ans, trans le***ans, BIPoC le***ans, disabled le***ans, later in life le***ans, young le***ans, and everyone in between, we hope your day brings you as much love and sunshine as you do to our community.

04/22/2026

In case you missed it - after a long journey, Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits will start May 1. We’re so excited about this, because no one should have to choose between being present for their family during critical moments and paying their bills.

Swipe to learn more about how you can use PFML to take care of your family, your loved ones, and yourself.

For more information, head to equalitymaine.org/lgbtq-healthcare-resources/ or maine.gov/paidleave.

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

There’s still time to register for our annual Youth Leadership Day!

Join EqualityMaine, OUT Maine, and youth from across the state at an LGBTQ+ And Allies Youth Leadership Day in Augusta! Our day will be focused on civic education, advocacy, and how young people can be politically active in their communities. Lunch provided! Email kelly@equalitymaine.org with questions, and register at tinyurl.com/LGBTQLeadershipDay.

📅 Exact date in May sent upon registration or email kelly@equalitymaine.org for info
💬Learn about advocacy and how to use your voice politically
🌈Practice your new skills with young people from across the state
🍕LGBTQ+ Legislative Panel Discussion with a Pizza Lunch

04/20/2026

Calling all nature lovers! This is a reminder that the Queering the Woods & Vernal Pools Webinar led by Laura (Grove) Grover and in partnership with MaineTransNet is taking place this coming Thursday (4/23) on Zoom at 5:30 PM! Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/5K9RmeL0TYCKB4DOui4NoA

Interested in the Vernal Pools & Plant Walk taking place this Sunday in Lewiston? Register here: https://form.jotform.com/260502679675163
We hope to see you there!