Gender identity and sexual orientation issues are particularly relevant to schools as they serve children transitioning through adolescence to adulthood. Ensuring a safe and supportive community for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities is essential, although complicated at times.
Below are local resources:
The Bridge Alliance strives to support, educate and promote advocacy of you LGBTA community in Northern and Eastern Maine by hosting social activities.
Downeast Outright is a program of the Downeast AIDS Network and a safe social space for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allied Youth.
EqualityMaine works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Maine through political action, community organizing, education, and collaboration.
Frannie Peabody Center is the largest community-based HIV / AIDS service organization in Maine, providing prevention services for at-risk groups and direct services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.
LBGTQ+ Collection at USM’s Sampson Center
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Collection at the University of Southern Maine collects and preserves the history of Maine’s LGBTQ+ communities. We collect the papers of individuals and the records of organizations active in these communities. The collection includes all forms of material culture from printed books, pamphlets, posters, to manuscripts, diaries, to objects, buttons, T-shirts, banners, games, a wide variety of ephemera, to photographs and audiovisual material.
Outright Lewiston/Auburn creates safe and affirming environments for youth ages 14-21 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning.
MaineTransNet is a community-based organization led by transgender people for transgender people, whose mission it is to support and empower transgender people to create a world where they can thrive. The organization provides peer-to-peer support groups, social and community events, advocacy for the transgender community across Maine, and transgender cultural competency training for medical, mental health, and social service providers.
We work together to advocate for our rights and for intersectional social justice. We organize transgender, queer, and marginalized people of all ages into closer communities. We host gatherings to build community, network for advocacy, and support each other. We help each other meet basic needs, resist toxic norms, and practice physical and psychological survival skills.
OUT Maine supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people, under the age of 22, and their allies in rural Maine.
PFLAG Portland, Maine offers compassionate peer support to the parents, families and friends of, and including, LGBTQ individuals through group discussion, education, advocacy and creating connections to community resources.
PLCH is a social group in Maine for lesbians from all walks of life to share in activities, make new friends, laugh and have a whole lot of fun.
Outright supports underserved members of the LGBTQ+ youth population through weekly drop-in hours, ongoing mentorship, social events, and trainings, as well as intentional support to youth navigating systems — such as the juvenile justice system, foster care, homelessness and mental health services. We are a community of people who are invested in each other, building deep connections, sharing both our struggle and joy, while fighting for each other’s dignity and survival.
Trans Youth Equality Foundation
The Trans Youth Equality Foundation provides education, advocacy, and support for transgender children, youth, and their families. Our mission is to share information about the unique needs of this community, partnering with families, educators, and service providers to help foster a healthy, caring, and safe environment for all transgender children.