News from the Pine Tree State
Assisted living case
In a case filed by the Boston-based GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), the Maine Human Rights Commission found in favor of Mary King, a 79-year-old woman denied a room by Sunrise Assisted Living in Jonesport, Maine because she is transgender.
This is the first-known discrimination complaint filed in the US against a long-term care facility by an older transgender adult.
“Being turned away because I’m transgender was wrong and it hurt,” stated Ms. King in a GLAD press release. “It’s a relief to have the Commission recognize that. I know I’m not the only person this has happened to and I hope my case leads to better understanding.”
“This is a significant finding for Ms. King and for other transgender older adults who face similar barriers when seeking the care many of us need as we age,” said GLAD Staff Attorney Chris Erchull. “The Commission’s action sends a clear message both to transgender people and to long-term care facilities that turning someone away because they are transgender violates legal protections meant to ensure equal treatment for everyone.”
According to GLAD, the Commission will now attempt to resolve the matter by bringing both parties together; “failing that, Ms. King’s case may proceed to court.”
More: glad.org
Support at schools
The youth advocacy nonprofit OUT Maine received a $50,000 grant from the Cigna Foundation to provide support and resources to gay-straight-trans alliances (GSTAs) at schools throughout the state.
Key activities under the grant include: the development of two GSTA advisor handbooks, one for primary schools and a second for middle/high school advisors; a set of tools and easy-to-implement activities to support and build queer youth leadership to reduce bullying and harassment for all students; a monthly GSTA Advisor Circle to provide networking and group advisor coaching; and individual consultations to advisors as they work with their LGBTQ+ students in schools across Maine.
More: outmaine.org
Trans youth health project
The Maine Health Access Foundation has funded a two-year project to improve the health and behavioral care provided to Maine’s transgender youth.
In partnership with the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), OUT Maine will build resources designed specifically for health and mental health providers and provide trainings to improve the care provided to transgender youth.
“We are very excited about this partnership and the potential impact of the work on Maine’s services for our transgender youth,” notes Jeanne Dooley, MSW, executive director of OUT Maine. “The project will be led by Aiden Campbell, MSW, whose own experience with transitioning in Maine brings invaluable expertise to this initiative.”
More: outmaine.org
Keynote honors
Maine State Senator Craig Hickman delivered the keynote address at the 32nd annual Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast, where the theme of the event was “The Quest Continues to Eradicate HIV/AIDS.”
Sen. Hickman is the first Black lawmaker to serve in both chambers of the Pine Tree State legislature. Prior to being elected to office, he was an AIDS educator at Boston’s Fenway Health from 1993 to 1994 and a participant in the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention’s first Gay Men of Color Summit.
Fenway Health holds the breakfast each year for LGBT+ people from communities of color to inform, affirm and empower in the continuing HIV/AIDS crisis. It honors Bayard Rustin, the openly gay African-American leader of the social movements of the 1960s and ’70s, including the 1963 March on Washington, for which he was the chief organizer.
More: aac.org
Health Care equality leader
In late March, the Human Rights Campaign released their 15th annual Healthcare Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of policies and practices around inclusive and equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
Many facilities across all six New England states scored well on the survey, with 23 facilities earning top scores, designating them “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders.”
Among the top-scoring facilities is Penobscot Community Health Care in Bangor, meeting HRC’s highest standards with a perfect score of 100.
More: hrc.org
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