EqualityMaine

A know your rights carousel titled "LGBTQ+ Students' Rights in Maine" with the text "Your rights don't stop at the school door. Learn more and get ready for the new year". There are posters saying "We the People" and "Trans People Belong". The logos for ACLU ME, Equality Maine, and GLAD Law are present.

The title: "Gender Identity and Expression with Dress Codes, Names, and Pronouns" with the text "students are allowed to dress in line with their gender identity. If a school has a dress code, it should be applied consistently with a student's gender identity. If a student would like school staff to use their chosen name and pronouns, the student or their parents should make that request to school staff in writing. the school must then use the chosen name and pronouns on all documents and in all communications. However, official student records must use the student's legal name."

Title: "Sports, Bathrooms, and Locker Rooms" with the text "Students are allowed to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. Schools can decide to give any student - LGBTQ+ or not - the option to use facilities that provide extra privacy (like a single-stall restroom or curtained changing areas in a locker room). Schools cannot require a student to use separate facilities based on their gender identity. This is a changing area of law in many states, but the Maine Human Rights Act remains in place and it still protects gender identity."

Title: "Know your Rights: Back to School" with the text "Learn more about your rights at school at ACLUMaine.org/BackToSchool for information covering: LGBTQ+ students' rights, Immigrant students' rights and school responsibilities, student, faculty, and staff free speech, pregnant students' rights, disability rights at school, access to books and other media, Title IX, Tribal regalia at graduation and other ceremonies, Student clubs, and more!" The logos for ACLU Maine, Equality Maine, and GLAD Law are shown.

We've got your back as you head back to school in the new year. Check out our full Back to School resource guide created alongside @equalitymaine.bsky.social and @aclumaine.bsky.social at ACLUMaine.org/BackToSchool.

Know Your Rights: Back to School As the Supreme Court ruled in 1969, students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

You might be heading back to school, but that doesn't mean your rights are staying home. We just launched a new back-to-school guide alongside @equalitymaine.bsky.social and @gladlaw.bsky.social so you can prepare for the new year.

Learn more, from LGBTQ+ students' rights to staff free speech ⤵️

Help campers unplug and connect with each other. Two Black hands with rings hold polaroid photos of campers and CITs in tie dye shirts and sunglasses smiling and making funny faces for the camera.

They came home feeling uplifted. Campers sit around a campfire on wooden benches and stumps. In the foreground, Kelly raises her arms in celebration, and three of the campers follow suit. Wooden cabins line the left side background of the photo.

Help us capture camp memories! At our week-long overnight camp, campers disconnect from phones to bond with nature and each other. Film cameras let them capture memories to take home.Donate $40 to buy a camper a book and film: equalitymaine.org/support-nlp

🏳️‍🌈 Calling all creatives!

Enter our pride design contest!

✨ Win $200, get featured on our website & social media, get free tickets to EqualityMaine events, and snag free merch with YOUR design.
✅ Submit up to 3 original designs
📆 Due Date: May 11
🔗 Learn more: forms.gle/QCYUPMJthEgt...

Join the fight against these anti-trans bills!

We need your help.
1. Write an op-ed - here's a guide to help get you started:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5e991...
2. Email your legislators:
secure.everyaction.com/XP8iRKLeSkCi...
3. Contact your legislators:
www.equalitymaine.org/elected-offi...

"Are these the values that we want to teach kids? That winning is more important than participating, and that if you lose, you should try to ban your competition?"

Read his op-eds here:

www.sunjournal.com/2025/04/24/g...

www.bangordailynews.com/2025/04/11/o....

What do high school coaches think about the proposed bills that aim to prohibit trans girls from playing on girls' sports teams?

Nordic ski coach Charlie Cobb thinks that we should celebrate trans athletes persevering in face of hatred and welcome trans girls playing sports on girls' teams.

The proposed CMS-9884-P rule would let insurers drop coverage for gender-affirming care. DACA recipients & low-income trans folks would be hit hardest.

Submit your public comment today and fight back! ✍️
bit.ly/ProtectOurHe...

Calling all trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks in Maine! Definitely get your trans joy care package @mainetransnet.bsky.social @equalitymaine.bsky.social

Purple text on a light blue background gives details of our 2025 Trans Joy Care Package Program

This year, MaineTransNet has partnered with @equalitymaine.bsky.social to help spread joy to Trans Mainers of all ages!
Applications are now open! Please send a message to info@mainetransnet.org to request this year's survey link 👏🏻

"This was by far one of the best conferences I have attended. I felt like I grew a lot as a professional, and truly appreciate the work put into this event. Keep up the great work!"

"I will be back every year."

Donate to our youth programming to sustain our work:
www.equalitymaine.org/support-nlp/

Here's some quotes from attendees!

"This was one of the best conferences I have attended in a very long time. Well organized, great communication, really felt the "love" of everyone there. I can't wait to attend next year's conference."

A middle schooler reported it was the "best day of his life".

The focus was to uplift, empower, and educate youth, educators, and other youth service providers through workshops and panel discussions to support LGBTQ+ youth, GSAs, and allies, and offerings centered on inclusion for BIPoC students, disabled students, and overall well being and belonging.

We want to give a huge THANK YOU to all the organizations, students, educators, and youth service providers who came to the Safer Schools Conference 2025.

In total, we had 150 students, 70 educators, and 20 youth-service providers, representing over 30 schools around Maine.

LGBTQ+ Youth Lobby Day - A Day of Action and Learning with EqualityMaine. Email kelly@equalitymaine.org for more info!

Join our LGBTQ+ Youth Lobby Day at the State House!

🌈Grades 7-12, GSA/GSTA clubs, Civil Rights Teams and is designed for LGBTQ+ youth and allies.

Use your voice: Lobby during a session or write to your legislators.

Space is limited this year - email Kelly@equalitymaine.org to save your spot!

We won't back down! A rally for our community. Sunday, March 23, at 11am. Location change: Cumberland Town Commons, Tuttle Road, Cumberland (across from MIW, 353 Tuttle Road) We will march in solidarity and loving support for LGBTQIA+ students. Let's send a clear message - hate has no home here!

COMMUNITY ACTION ALERT!

Rally for Maine and MSAD51 to hold their stance on supporting trans athletes participating in athletics based on their gender identity.

SUNDAY MARCH 23 - 11AM AT CUMBERLAND TOWN COMMONS - wear your boots! The ground is muddy.

Hate has no home here! 🏳️‍⚧️

On a background of snow and leaves, green text on purple color blocks gives the details of ART AND NATURE LEADERSHIP CAMP Monday, April 21 - Wednesday, April 23 Central Maine Grades 8-12 Registration now open!

Art & Nature Leadership Camp is a three-day, two-night camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied students ages 13-18 or grades 8-12; camp will be April 21-23 (public school break) in Central Maine. See form header for more details, apply by April 7! form.jotform.com/250636679243...
@equalitymaine.bsky.social

On a black background, multicolored text reads: WE WON'T BACK DOWN! A RALLY FOR OUR COMMUNITY SUNDAY - MARCH 23 - 11am GATHER AT MI PARKING LOT 353 TUTTLE ROAD Then we will march to create a human chain of love and support around our campus. Let's send a clear message: hate has no home in Maine!

Check out this action on Sunday in Cumberland calling for Maine and MSAD51 to hold firm their stance on trans athletes participating in athletics based on their gender identity. 👏🏻💜
SUNDAY MARCH 23 11am
GATHER AT MI PARKING LOT 353 TUTTLE ROAD
Let's send a clear message: hate has no home here!

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! Join us for a free and confidential HIV/HCV testing event. Thursday, March 20 10am-3pm. Drum raffle for all AND incentives for testing with WPHW for the first time! Wabanaki Harm Reduction 157 Park Street, Suite 22 Bangor, ME 04401 For more info, contact: Wabanaki Harm Reduction and Prevention Team prevention@wabanakiphw.org 207-299-6378

Join the Wabanaki Reduction & Prevention Team to honor National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day tomorrow!

Free and confidential HIV/Hepatitis C testing will be available tomorrow, 3/20, 10am to 3pm at 157 Park Street, Bangor, ME.

Email prevention@wabanakiphw.org for more info!

#maine #LGBTQ

EqualityMaine's 40th Anniversary Gala. Saturday, April 26. Brick South. Resurgam Place. Portland, ME. Honoring our history, fighting for our future.

Join us on April 26 as we will celebrate 40 years of EqualityMaine!

Celebrate the impact our organization has had on equality for Maine's LGBTQ+ community, honor our history and join the fight for our future.

Buy tickets:
www.equalitymaine.org/event/40th-a...
#maine #lgbtq #politics

New Leaders Project: Summer Camp 2025. August 11-16. Camper, CIT, Counselor Applications Now Open! Build Community. Find your voice. Learn to lead.

Summer Camp is 6 months away, and all our apps are OPEN!

🌈Counselors: 21+
Counselors-In-Training: high school/GED grads, 18-20 years old at the time of camp.
Campers: age 13 - 17, or entering 8th - 12th grade.
📆August 11 - August 16
📍Central Maine

Apply now:
www.equalitymaine.org/new-leaders....

A trans flag is strung on string lights between two trees

A gaggle of LGBTQ+ youth trudge through the snow and drag their winter supplies to the campsite.

Kids sit down around a campfire, all bundled up in the snow.

Here's some queer joy to get you through the last month of winter!

Our LGBTQ+ teens loved their outdoor winter adventure - they sang campfire songs, carved spoons, and made new friends!

Friends of Dorothy Fundraiser was a great success - it was the first drag show at the ECC, and folks danced!

New Leaders Project and Maine Trans Net present: Art and Nature Leadership Camp Monday April 21 - Wednesday April 23. Central Maine. Grades 8-12. Registration now open!

Art & Nature Leadership Camp is for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and allies 13-18, held from April 21-23, 2025. It offers art and nature-focused activities for self-discovery and leadership skill-building. Applications open from March 10 to April 7, with a limit of 16 campers. Register now! buff.ly/c76MUZP

New Leaders Project: Summer Camp 2025. Camper Applications Now Open! Build community. Find your voice. Learn to lead.

Applications are still open for our New Leaders Project: Summer 2025 Camp! 🥳⛺️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🎨📝🛶 Apply by March 31!

This week-long overnight camp for LGBTQ+ youth focuses on leadership, resilience, and self-discovery. August 11 - 16.

Apply now:
buff.ly/sJ2OAyb
Questions? Contact Kelly@equalitymaine.org

Sorry friends!

Queer Youth Fridays this month has been CANCELED!

But have no fear - we will see you Friday April 11 at the Bangor Region YMCA Teen Center for an afternoon of games, laughs, crafts, and snacks!
See you then!

Allies welcome, email kelly@equalitymaine.org with questions.

Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance and SPACE present: Come as You Are!

Featured Readers: Samaa Abdurraqib Dania Bowie Brandon Ying Kit Body Michael Colbert Chelsea Conaboy Samara Cole Doyon Abdi Nor Often Reza Jalali Jessi Holleran Rylan Hynes Nick Fuller Googins Hannah Matthews Coco McCracken Sampson Spadafore Phuc Tran

Tuesday, March 18! Doors open at 6:30 PM/Readings begin at 7:00 PM. Drinks, snacks, and community. Tears and laughter welcome!

Please join us, Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, SPACE, partners, and friends for an evening of expression, reflection, and activism, featuring short readings by writers and community leaders and info from local organizations on what you can do right now.

Register here:
buff.ly/hUdQkAT

#maine

"It's been 20 years that we've been protecting on the basis of gender identity. It's not new. It's not radical." -Kit Thomson Crossman

Gender identity was first included in the Maine Human Rights Act as part of the definition of sexual orientation in 2005.

Four years ago, the law was amended to add gender identity as its own protected class, joining other protected classes such as sex, sexual orientation, disability, race, color and religion. The law specifically says that denying a person equal opportunity in athletic programs is education discrimination.

Did you know Maine has had protections on the basis on gender identity for 20 years? This is not a new or radical concept.

The Maine Human Rights Act protects trans students' rights to have equal access to partake in sports just like any other student.

Click here to learn more
buff.ly/lnWvDWi...

#maine #politics

King Votes No on Legislation Banning Transgender Athletes from School Sports Programs! Senate Democrats Block GOP-Led Bill To Ban Transgender Athletes from Women's Sports! Thank you Angus King!

Some good news out of Washington - an
attempt to exclude transgender students from
nondiscrimination protections nationwide was just
rejected by the Senate!

Thank you, Sen. King, for voting to let trans students play, just like any other student.

Learn more:

www.cnn.com/2025/03/03/p...