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…
June 17, 2025 AUGUSTA, ME – The Maine Legislature rejected eight bills on Monday that targeted transgender student athletes, the transgender community and the Maine Human Rights Act. A broad coalition came together to organize in response, including equality organizations, health care providers, legal advocacy groups and everyday Mainers of all ages and backgrounds. “Thousands…
Coalition stands together to call for adults to protect children from harassment February 25, 2025 AUGUSTA, ME – Last week, an elected official used her online social media to share a photo of a child that she identified as transgender, resulting in statewide and national harassment of a non-consenting minor. Our organizations stand united in…
February 11, 2025 PORTLAND, ME – EqualityMaine, the largest and oldest LGBTQ+ organization in Maine, and the Maine Council of Churches, an ecumenical coalition of seven mainline Protestant member denominations, respect and honor the right to exercise freedom of religion. Both organizations also condemn discrimination against vulnerable marginalized members of our community under any guise….
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,…
We are at a pivotal point in our fight for a fair and just society, and the next few years will be an increasingly challenging time for many who are part of marginalized communities. I am deeply concerned that people are just going to give up – give up on being true to themselves and…
My mom passed away peacefully last week, with her loving family gathered by her side. She was 90 years young. As the matriarch and magnet of our large Irish American and French Canadian family, “Mimi” was the center of all family information, celebrations, and milestones. She kept in close contact with her large and extended…
October 31, 2024 Portland, ME — EqualityMaine is proud to announce the reelection of John Hennessy as President of the Board of Directors of EqualityMaine and EqualityMaine Foundation, Barb Wood as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of EqualityMaine Foundation, Melissa Martin as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of EqualityMaine,…
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…
On May 2, 2022, Governor Janet Mills signed L.D. 1539, “An Act to Provide Access to Fertility Care,” which affirms that all individuals should have affordable access to fertility medical care and can pursue their dreams of building families. EqualityMaine and many others advocated for this legislation, and the law officially took effect on January…
July 3, 2024 For Immediate Release I believe in people, and I believe in you. And despite all the turmoil, I still have faith in democracy, the constitution, and the law. I love our country, and I always have. I continue to grow in my understanding of our racist, sexist, and colonialist history and the…
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…