Author: Jessi Holleran

Anti-trans activists have begun collecting signatures for a potential ballot initiative that would allow harassment and bullying of and discrimination against Maine children  For Immediate Release:   Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Contact:  Gia Drew, Executive Director, EqualityMaine: 207-423-0580 Destie Hohman Sprague, Executive Director, Maine Women’s Lobby: 207-406-0838  Amanda Johnston, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders: 617-417-7769 (Augusta,…

EqualityMaine Urges Supporters to Vote No on Question 1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2025 Portland, Maine – EqualityMaine is urging community members and supporters to vote No on Question 1 this November, a referendum that would effectively dismantle Maine’s absentee voting system and make it harder for LGBTQ+ Mainers to vote. Question 1 reads:…

Civil Rights Organizations Urge Students, Parents, and Staff to Know Their Rights Ahead of School Start The ACLU of Maine, EqualityMaine, and GLAD Law have released a comprehensive guide ranging from LGBTQ+ and immigrant students’ rights to staff free speech and student protest. MEDIA CONTACTS: Samuel Crankshaw, ACLU of Maine, SCrankshaw@ACLUMaine.org Amanda Johnston, GLAD Law, AJohnston@GLADLaw.org Jessi…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2025 PORTLAND, ME – This morning, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti, a challenge brought by three transgender teens, their families, and a Memphis-based medical provider against a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming hormone therapies for transgender youth under 18. The Supreme Court ruled that states may…

December 18, 2024 PORTLAND, ME – EqualityMaine is alarmed and saddened by passage of the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by Congress, which includes a provision that will ban healthcare for transgender teens whose parent(s) are members of the military. We are deeply disappointed in our members of Congress, specifically Senator Collins, Senator King,…

Harris/Walz, King, Pingree, and Over 100 Legislative Candidates Receive Support PORTLAND, Maine – EqualityMaine has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz in the upcoming November election. From the beginning of her career, Vice President Harris has fought to protect the freedom of LGBTQ+ Americans to love who they love and be who…

June 4, 2024 For Immediate Release EQUALITYMAINE ENDORSES CASSIE JULIA IN WATERVILLE PRIMARY Portland, ME – EqualityMaine, the state’s oldest and largest statewide organization working for LGBTQ+ Mainers, is proud to endorse Cassie Julia for House District 65 in the Maine House of Representatives.  Cassie Julia is the pro-equality candidate that has worked to pass…

May 18, 2024 Portland, Maine – EqualityMaine Foundation was the recipient of a $12,500 grant from Maine Council on Aging (MCOA) through Hannaford Supermarket’s Connection, Health and Equity Through Food (CHEF) program. CHEF was launched in 2023 to improve the health and well-being of diverse older adults through greater access to food and social connection….

May 17, 2024 Portland, ME —EqualityMaine is proud to announce the appointment of John Hennessy as the new President of the Board of Directors of both EqualityMaine and EqualityMaine Foundation, as well as the appointment of Melissa Martin as the Vice President of EqualityMaine.  John Hennessy brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment…

PORTLAND, Maine, April 19, 2024 — Today, the Biden Administration made several updates to Title IX rules to ensure that every student can thrive at school, as was originally intended at its inception. In the 50+ years since its enactment, opponents have sought to weaken Title IX’s crucial civil rights protections, including undoing critical safeguards against sexual harassment…

April 12, 2024 Augusta, Maine – After weeks of violent threats, disinformation, fear mongering and outright bullying from opposition, we are thrilled to see LD 227 pass in the House and Senate, and believe our Governor will sign this bill into law in due time. After a rocky ride for this and a similar bill through the legislature over…