News from the Pine Tree State
Outdoor gala and Festival
EqualityMaine moved its annual gala outdoors to Thompson’s Point this year.
As the Portland Press Herald put it, “While many nonprofits have scaled back, postponed or gone virtual with their fundraisers during the pandemic, EqualityMaine went bigger,” hosting 450 guests, and featuring a festival, a tasting menu from 11 food trucks plus desserts from local establishments, a live auction, speeches and an awards presentation.
“Our community is nothing if not resilient, and we are grateful to gather with all of you tonight,” EqualityMaine Executive Director Matt Moonen said in his address. “We are committed to making sure that LGBTQ Mainers are still able to connect.”
Other speakers included the openly gay House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and Dr. Nirav Shah of Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who delivered the keynote, noting that over 92 percent of LGBTQ people have been vaccinated across the US. “That’s why an event like tonight is possible in a manner that is safe,” he told the gathering.
More: equalitymaine.org
An inclusive partnership
OUT Maine staff enjoyed an overnight retreat at Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership on the Center’s island in Penobscot Bay. After a challenging pandemic year—plus a time of extensive growth for OUT Maine’s programs and staff—the retreat offered a welcome opportunity to reconnect, rejuvenate and plan for the future.
OUT Maine worked with Hurricane Island to provide youth opportunities for summer programming experience in their High School Marine Biology and Women of Water programs. “This partnership is a great model for all programs seeking to provide more inclusive and welcoming programs and serve as strong allies for Maine’s queer youth,” said Jeanne Dooley, OUT Maine executive director.
More: outmaine.org
An $11,000 grant
OUT Maine also received an $11,000 grant this fall from United Midcoast Charities aimed at providing connection, support and adult mentoring for LGBTQ+ youth.
Specifically, that funds weekly virtual programs, regional overnights in Knox and Waldo, and the next Rainbow Ball weekend scheduled for April 2022. Plus it supports many more programs like the experiences for young people on Hurricane Island.
“Recovery from the pandemic will take a while, and we know that our combination of both in-person and virtual programs scheduled for this year will be essential to help rebuild LGBTQ+ youth resiliency,” said the nonprofit’s executive director, Jeanne Dooley.
New training coordinator
Also at OUT Maine, a new training coordinator, August Sender, has come on board.
Sender comes to OUT from Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine, where they were the education co-coordinator. They have spent the past five years at SASSMM providing professional training, as well as creating and implementing prevention programming in schools and community settings.
Their experience in curricula and program development, combined with their excellent teaching and facilitation skills, will help strengthen the reach and impact of OUT Maine’s training programs. August brings both professional and personal experience and knowledge to the work and is strongly committed to OUT Maine’s efforts to build welcoming and affirming communities for Maine’s LGBTQ+ youth.
Under investigation
The University of Maine at Preque Isle is under an independent investigation for allegedly discriminating against an AmeriCorps volunteer who came out as transgender while working at UMPI.
Reports the Bangor Daily News, “The volunteer, who agreed to speak on the condition that his name not be used for fear of his personal safety, is in the federal AmeriCorps volunteer program working at UMPI as a mentor to students who are first-generation or from disadvantaged backgrounds. He alleges that UMPI staff told him they were discontinuing his program and did not hire him for a more permanent position as a director of campus engagement after he came out as transgender, despite being told earlier his program would be renewed and encouraging him to apply for the director position.
“The complaint was filed with the UMPI Human Resources Department and the UMaine Office of Equal Opportunity. The Delaware-based Day Law Group is conducting the investigation. The volunteer also said he began preliminary paperwork with the Maine Human Rights Commission.”
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