MaineTransNet

Our virtual book club is back this month on a new day at a new time! Join us this Wednesday from 6 to 7 PM on Google meet to discuss the first couple of chapters of Andrea Lawlor's PAUL TAKES THE FORM OF A MORTAL GIRL 👏🏻📖🏳️‍⚧️

Registration opens TODAY for the session beginning October 20th!
We’re partnering with @undead.voice to share a FREE 3-week voice masterclass designed for you. We expect this class to sell out - so sign up now!
🔗 Spots are limited so register now at www.undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart

This week's events include the penultimate opportunity to rehearse with lavender choir before the season starts! Check it out 👏🏻🫶🏼🏳️‍⚧️

Photo of an audience attending a talk

Tonight's event was the closest thing I've ever witnessed to a presentation from @dropout.tv's @smartypantsshow.bsky.social and I think we have now officially launched a series of social PowerPoint presentations. 😍 @mainetransnet.bsky.social

Great news, friends, we were able to add COVID vaccines to our upcoming flu shots clinic! See flyer for details, pre-registration greatly appreciated but walk-ins welcome as well!
October 10, 11am-2pm at 15 Casco St Portland ME
Insurance and self pay accepted!

Sorry for the late notice, we have to cancel for tonight but join us next month for crafts and also keep your eyes peeled for info about QUEER-O-WEEN, our youth Halloween party in partnership with the @equalitymaine.bsky.social New Leaders Project and the ECC!

Above a row of illustrated jars of art supplies, blue text on a cream colored background reads Queer Youth Art & Craft Skill Share 5-6:30pm on the 4th TUESDAY of each month at the Equality Community Center!

Got young artists and crafters in your life? Make sure they know about our monthly skill share for ages 13-19, on the 4th Tuesday (that's this week!) from 5-6:30pm 👏🏻🏳️‍⚧️🎨🏳️‍🌈 This in-person event happens at the Equality Community Center at 15 Casco St in downtown Portland, hope to see you there!

On a dark blue background with illustrated flowers along the bottom, lavender text reads PORTLAND IN-PERSON TRANS AND NONBINARY SUPPORT GROUP 6:30-8P EVERY 1ST AND 3RD THURSDAY

Join us at 15 Casco St. in Portland this Thursday, September 18 from 6:30 to 8 PM for our twice-monthly trans and non-binary support group!

Welcome to September, friends: we hope to see you throughout the month at various social and support events around the state and online! Check our linktree and website for registration links and the full calendar, email info@mainetransnet.org with with any questions 👏🏻🥾🎨🎶🫂🏳️‍⚧️

We’re thrilled to partner with @undead.voice to bring you a 3-week masterclass series called Jumpstart Your Voice Transition. You’ll learn to speak dysphoria
free, and fall in love with your voice. Spots are limited so register now! www.undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart #transvoice #GenderAffirmingCare

White text on a black background reads, NOW OFFERING A FREE TRANS VOICE MASTER CLASS Sign up today at https://www.undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart There is an illustration of a hand holding a ticket reading admit one in the upper right hand corner

We’re partnering with @undead.voice to share a FREE 3-week trans voice
masterclass! Explore evidence-based strategies, interactive exercises, & practical techniques + connect with a supportive community that gets it. Reserve your spot now! 🏳️‍⚧️⚧️ www.undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart

Below an illustration of clothes hanging on a rack are the logos for EQME, New Leaders Project, Safe Combinations, and MTN. Below these, white text on a purple background with an orange border reads: Our New Leaders arrive next week, can you help fill up the Camp Closet?? We still need: • Various styles of clothes in sizes XL-2X • Outdoor casual clothes in size Large • Masculine clothes in all sizes! Camp Closet donations can be dropped off at MTN at the ECC from 9a-6p, August 4-6, or email info@mainetransnet.org to make arrangements outside of these hours. Please note that this is for CAMP CLOTHES ONLY, not thrift store donations!

Our New Leaders arrive next week, can you help fill up the Camp Closet?? We still need:
• Various styles XL-2X
• Outdoor casual, Large
• Masculine clothes all sizes!
Drop donations off at 15 Casco St from 9a-6p, August 4-6, or email info@mainetransnet.org to arrange a drop-off outside these hours

White text on a black background reads, NOW OFFERING A FREE TRANS VOICE MASTER CLASS Sign up today at https://www.undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart There is an illustration of a hand holding a ticket reading admit one in the upper right hand corner

We’re partnering with @undead.voice to share a FREE 3-week trans voice
masterclass! Explore evidence-based strategies, interactive exercises, & practical techniques + connect with a supportive community that gets it. Reserve your spot now! 🏳️‍⚧️⚧️ www.undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart

Join us for the next MTN OUTdoors event at Shaw Cherry Hill Farm in Gorham! With accessible stroller friendly trails, this event is perfect for a family adventure 👏🏻🌳🐮
www.eventbrite.com/e/mtn-outdoo... MTN OUTdoors: Shaw Cherry Hill Farm Gorham Tickets, Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM | Eventbrite

Deadline extended! We know that the first couple of weeks after pride month ends can be a lot, so we've decided to extend the submission deadline through the 21st! Artists, send us your joyful calendar submissions! Email info@mainetransnet.org with ART as the subject 👏🏻

On a black background, white text reads: Beyond survival Attacks on the most vulnerable are attacks on all of our rights. When our neighbors cannot safely contribute to our communities, we are all strained. But when we stand together, we all rise. Donate now and learn more: http://bit.ly/3Tu7Cfl

On a green background, white text reads: The Maine Solidarity Fund is a broad, MSF statewide effort led by organizations with deep roots in community, well positioned to distribute funds quickly and equitably. Below are the logos of the coalition member organizations: Gateway community services Maine, community organizing alliance, Presente Maine, Khmer Maine, Community Change Inc, MaineTransNet

On an orange background, black text reads: Our neighbors are under attack Immigrant and Trans Mainers are facing unprecedented threats to their safety, dignity, and basic rights. The Maine Solidarity Fund (MSF) provides direct, immediate support when our community needs it most.

On a black background, white text reads: What the MSF covers For immigrant community members: • Bail and bond payments for those unlawfully detained • Legal representation and defense attorney fees • Emergency family support

On an orange background, black text reads: For Trans community members: • Life-saving gender-affirming healthcare costs when insurance won't cover • Travel costs to receive necessary healthcare • Legal support for vital identity document issues • Emergency assistance during discrimination or harassment cases

On a green background, white text reads: why a statewide fund? Crowdfunding for individuals is inefficient and leaves many community members invisible and without support. Maine is one of the few states without established funds for Trans healthcare or immigration bail or bond. Until now.

Immigrant & Trans Mainers are facing escalating, unprecedented threats to safety, dignity, & basic rights. That's why the People's Coalition for Safety & Justice (PCSJ) - a collective of frontline organizations with deep community ties - is launching the Maine Solidarity Fund.

Join us for Bound & Empowered, a virtual book club that explores the history, culture, and science of gender, gender theory, and the existence of trans people: short stories The Chaser and The Masker from Stag Dance by Torrey Peters are on the agenda for 7/10, 5-6pm!
tel.meet/whd-ibwp-crp...

Our staff are on a brief respite through this coming weekend and will be back in the office and in the thrift shop on Monday July 7th, all regularly scheduled support groups are occurring without interruption!

See you tonight @ Patagonia Freeport for a screening of THEY/THEM: One Climber's Story, following Lor Sabourin, a trans rock climber, on 5 of their toughest pitches.
Meet nonprofits and community partners working to make the outdoors more inclusive for all👏🏻
Doors: 6:30, Film: 7pm
#TransLivesMatter

Screenshot of a Facebook comment on our post about outdoors events. The comment and our reply read: Reed Miller: Looks lovely! What happens at these events? MaineTransNet: Reed Miller the focus varies from event to event, but each has a social element and an educational element: during one event, we planted seeds for native plants; during another we went tidepooling; another was a bonfire on the beach! These events acknowledge that our mental health is improved by spending time with each other outside of structured meetings and actions: sometimes we just want to hang out, and we feel better for it

On a dark blue background is an image of the Pleasant Hill preserve with an avatar of master naturalist Grove. The text reads Pre-registration requested, free to attend. YOUR HOST: GROVE! #MTN OUTDOORS: MaineTrans.Net PLEASANT HILL PRESERVE SCARBOROUGH Trans & Nonbinary Adults + Allies & Chosen Family

On a dark blue background is an image of Cherry Hill Farm with an avatar of master naturalist Grove. The text reads Pre-registration requested, free to attend. YOUR HOST: GROVE! ##MTN OUTDOORS: MaineTrans.Net CHERRY HILL FARM GORHAM ACCESSIBLE TRAIL + STROLLER FRIENDLY! Trans & Nonbinary Folks, All Ages + Allies & Chosen Family

On a dark blue background is an image of Saco Heath preserve with an avatar of master naturalist Grove. The text reads Pre-registration requested, free to attend. YOUR HOST: GROVE! #Pre-registration requested, free to attend YOUR HOST: GROVE! * MTN OUTDOORS: MaineTrans.Net rede baing gesder SACO HEATH PRESERVE Trans & Nonbinary Kids + Family Sunday August 10th 9:00AM-11:00AM

A great question from a community member about what our MTN OUTdoors events look like! Next in the series is this Thursday, free to register and attend!
www.eventbrite.com/e/mtn-outdoo...

Thank you so much for your support! 😍🏳️‍⚧️👏🏻🫶🏼

In celebration of Pride Month, Central Maine Artists for Justice is organizing a fundraising event, June 28th from 6pm-8pm, 178 Lisbon St (2nd floor), Lewiston, on behalf of MaineTransNet ($15 suggested donation). The evenings theme is called “In My Skin” which will include performances inspired by this theme: music, poetry, story telling, etc. We will also have a bake sale and visual art for sale plus more!

Happy Pride! Come join us for our inaugural arts event in downtown Lewiston on June 28th at 6pm to fundraise for @mainetransnet.bsky.social! Let’s fight fascism, be in community, enjoy art and music, and inspire a little joy!

tinyurl.run/in-my-skin

#maine #pride #protestart #RESIST

Got Juneteenth plans? Join us for Trans Poetics of Friendship with Maya Williams from 2-330pm tomorrow, 6/19! @emmdubb16.bsky.social

We are so thankful these unlawful and hateful state bills were beaten before the SCOTUS decision came down. We will keep fighting to keep Maine safer for trans folks 🫶🏼👏🏻🏳️‍⚧️

Appreciate you, Claire, and Avery for bringing you into our circle 🫶🏼

Check your inbox for our email this morning inviting you to thank the legislators who stood firm in votes on anti-trans bills this past week, assuring us that Maine will NOT discriminate against its trans community.

U.S. v. Skrmetti is the first case to rule on the constitutionality of state bans against gender-affirming care for minors. Plaintiffs in this case included the ACLU, Lamdba Legal, and three Tennessean families with trans teenagers, and argued that Tennessee's categorical ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

By upholding this ban, the Supreme Court voted to allow state law to override the needs, wants, and decisions of trans minors, their families, and their healthcare providers. This decision opens the door for more states to deny trans youth access to safe, medically necessary care, and will have implications in the 25+ states that currently have similar bans.

What does this mean for ME? Maine currently has no bans restricting this essential care. With a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, medically necessary gender affirming care is covered for Mainers who receive MaineCare, Maine's Medicaid program. The full impact and implications of this decision are still unclear, but we know it will have nationwide impact on access to care, trans rights and sex-based discrimination lawsuits.

On June 18, 2025, the
U.S. Supreme Court
ruled against transgender youth and their right to essential health care in landmark lawsuit U.S. v. Skrmetti in a 6-3 vote. See the attached slides for more information on how we move forward.

BREAKING: A federal judge ruled all transgender and intersex people can obtain passports that align with their gender identity while the case against President Trump's executive order proceeds.

While this is good news, we will continue fighting until this executive order is blocked permanently.

On a lilac background, dark purple text reads: WE ARE RECRUITING FOR A STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER The MTN steering committee is actively recruiting for an open At Large seat. The seat that is open is partway through a two year term that ends in September 2026. At Large members attend monthly Steering Committee meetings and subcommittee meetings to help guide and shape the work of MTN, as well as participating in fundraising, activities, and events. Steering Committee members also represent MTN in their communities. It's a great way to be of service to MTN and to have a leadership role. INTERESTED?

We are recruiting for a Steering Committee Member! To learn more about joining the MaineTransNet Steering Committee, please email Steering Committee Chair Jem Hodsdon at cochairs@mainetransnet.org: we would love to chat with you about your interest in this volunteer position!