September 10, 2026 EqualityMaine Executive Director Announces Departure PORTLAND, Me. — EqualityMaine has announced that Executive Director Gia Drew will step down in September after nearly 15 years at the organization. John Hennessy, President of the Board of Directors, said Drew’s commitment to protecting and advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Maine has been…
September 9, 2026 EqualityMaine Endorses Chellie Pingree for Congress Organization cites Pingree’s long record of leadership on LGBTQ+ equality in backing her candidacy for Maine’s 1st Congressional District PORTLAND, Me. — EqualityMaine, Maine’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ political advocacy organization, today announced its endorsement of Chellie Pingree for U.S. Representative in Maine’s 1st Congressional District,…
September 9, 2026 EqualityMaine Endorses Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate Organization cites Jackson’s strong support for LGBTQ+ equality in backing his candidacy for U.S. Senate PORTLAND, Me. — EqualityMaine, Maine’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ political advocacy organization, today announced its endorsement of Troy Jackson for U.S. Senate. In the endorsement process, Jackson expressed strong support…
June 30, 2026 EqualityMaine Condemns Supreme Court Decision on Girls’ Sports Court Rules That States May Ban Transgender Girls from Girls’ Sports; Maine’s Inclusive Policies Remain Legal Today’s Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox upholds West Virginia and Idaho state laws that categorically ban all transgender girls and women…
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:…
For Immediate Release Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 Contact: Lisa Newcomb, Lisa.Newcomb@ppnne.org (435) 659-1238 Lisa Margulies, Lisa.margulies@ppnne.org (207) 691-1818 20 Maine organizations sign letter urging Sen. Collins to reject Dunlap appointment to First Circuit Court Dunlap has long opposed and worked against reproductive and LGBTQIA+ rights, separation of church and state, climate justice, voting rights and more (Portland,…
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…
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…