EqualityMaine

EqualityMaine (formerly the Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance) is Maine's oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender political advocacy organization. Their mission, outlined on the organization's website is to "secure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Maine through political action, community organizing, education, and collaboration."

EqualityMaine
Founded1984
Type501(c)(4)
01-0491854
Location
Area served
Maine
Key people
Gia Drew, executive director
Revenue
$427,717 (2017)
Employees
6
Websiteequalitymaine.org
Formerly called
Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance

EqualityMaine consists of three organizational branches: EqualityMaine Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on educational programs in its efforts, EqualityMaine, a 501(c)(4) organization that uses electoral programs, and EqualityMaine Political Action Committee, a political action committee that endorses campaigns who advocate for equality in regards to LGBT Mainers and supports legislation that allow for fair treatment and equality.[1]

History

Founded in 1984[2] after the murder of Charlie Howard,[3] it is the oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization in the state. In 2008, they were a primary opponent of an attempt to revoke an anti-discrimination law in Maine.[4] In 2009, EqualityMaine was one of the main supporters of a push to recognize same-sex marriage in Maine.[5][6]

On June 30, 2011, EqualityMaine and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) announced plans to place a voter initiative in support of same-sex marriage on the state's November 2012 ballot.[7] After leading the effort to gather the signatures necessary for a citizen's initiative, EqualityMaine was among the lead groups of the Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition, the group that led the effort to win the right to marry for same-sex couples in Maine.[8]

In July 2013, EqualityMaine announced a new, five-year strategic plan. That new strategic plan focuses the organization's work on issues that affect LGBT youth, LGBT elders, LGBT people living in rural Maine, and transgender Mainers.[9]

EqualityMaine's past executive director was Betsy Smith.[10] In December 2013, Elise Johansen was named the new director of EqualityMaine. She had moved to Maine from Florida shortly after Maine had legalized same-sex marriage. Johansen replaced Betsy Smith, who had stepped down from her position as executive director.[11]

In the Maine gubernatorial election in 2014, EqualityMaine backed Michael Michaud, an openly gay candidate who served 11 terms in the Maine Legislature and six terms in Congress. Ali Vander Zanden, the political director for EqualityMaine, stated "[Michaud] has been a stalwart supporter of equal rights for all Mainers."[12]

EqualityMaine has worked with the Human Rights Commission of Maine in order to make changes to driver's licenses in Maine. On May 10, 2018, Maine became the third state to offer a non-binary option listed on driver's licenses after Oregon and California. The new system started with a sticker on the back of IDs and driver's licenses, but will then be updated by July 2019 to replace the letter M or F with the letter X instead.[13]

Operations

Currently, EqualityMaine has four full-time staff members, a board of directors, and several part-time consultants.[14] The organization is sponsored by several local businesses, including Hannaford Brothers Company, Coffee By Design, Idexx Laboratories, and WEX Inc. as well as both national and local banks.[15] EqualityMaine operates out of the Equality Community Center in Portland, Maine and maintains an active social media presence that broadcasts upcoming events related to LGBT causes.[16]

The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.[17]

See also

References
  1. "About Us". EqualityMaine. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  2. Harlow, Doug (27 October 2010). "Gay-marriage mailers put to rest in House District 85 race". The Morning Sentinel. Archived from the original on 31 October 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  3. Love, Barbara J. (2006). Feminists who changed America, 1963-1975. University of Illinois Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-252-03189-2. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  4. "Maine group drops push to repeal gay rights law". USA Today. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  5. Gay rights group honors sponsor of marriage bill March 28, 2010; Portland Press Herald
  6. Nichols, John (7 May 2009). "The Nation: The Year Of Same-Sex Marriage!". NPR. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  7. "Gay Marriage: Maine Supporters Plan Referendum". The Huffington Post. June 30, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  8. "Secretary of state says same-sex marriage will be on the ballot". Bangor Daily News. February 23, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  9. "With marriage equality a success in Maine, now what?". Bangor Daily News. July 9, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  10. Fulton, Deirdre (17 December 2008). "Gay marriage debate comes to Maine: Civil Rights". Portland Phoenix. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  11. Russell, Eric (December 11, 2013). "EqualityMaine names new director". Tribune Content Agency LLC. Tribune Business News. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  12. Koenig, Seth (January 2, 2014). "Maine gay rights group endorses Michaud, drawing angry responses from Cutler". Tribune Content Agency LLC. Tribune Business News. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  13. Whittle, Patrick (June 11, 2018). "Maine will issue gender-neutral driver licenses". Sonoma Media Investments LLC. The Press Democrat. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  14. "Our Story". EqualityMaine. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  15. "Thank you to our sponsors". EqualityMaine. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  16. "Contact Us". EqualityMaine. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  17. "Equality Maine". Retrieved January 16, 2014.


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