News & Commentary

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March with the ACLU of Maine at the largest LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Northern New England. Join us to affirm together that love is love!

By Stacy Sullivan, Associate Director of Strategic Communications, ACLUOriginally posted at aclu.orgAs inauguration ceremonies commenced for President Trump, I was aboard the Amtrak 2117 from New York to Washington, D.C. Almost everyone on the train was female, and there was no need to ask anyone where they were going. The train was a river of pink pussy hats. Amy Schumer was in the next car over, with a running commentary on the inaugural, which a fellow passenger was streaming.When we arrived in Washington’s Union Station, our pink hats met a smattering of red caps. Trump supporters, fresh from inaugural ceremonies, roamed the corridors in their trademark “Make America Great Again” hats. To be sure, Friday, Janua

Last night, I testified before the Portland City Council, urging councilors to approve a transgender-inclusive health care policy for city employees. I am happy to announce that the council voted unanimously to approve this important change.

On Saturday, we joined our friends to march in the Pride Portland! parade. In the wake of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting, we marched in solidarity with the LGBTQ community, to call for equal rights for all people and to honor the lives of those lost.

While 2016 has ushered in a disappointing escalation of anti-trans rhetoric, there have been some steps forward as well. This month, in particular, has seen historic momentum in the fight for trans rights.

The law in Maine is clear: it is illegal to discriminate against people because they are transgender. As a lawsuit that went all the way to the state Supreme Court further clarified, that means transgender girls must not be blocked from using the girls’ restroom at school, and likewise transgender boys must not be blocked from using the boys’ room.

It’s well known at this point that gay kids don’t have it easy in school, at least most. While dealing with your own anxieties about being gay, there are also others’ perceptions of you to deal with. This is exponentially more difficult without support from your family at home.

A decade ago, Mainers went to the polls to affirm the rights of transgender people. Two years ago, the Maine Supreme Court upheld those rights.