Talking to Relatives about LGBTQ+ Issues
As families gather for the holiday season, LGBTQ+ individuals and allies may be preparing to interact with relatives who have different opinions or questions about LGBTQ+ issues. This can lead to some challenging and potentially tense conversations, and we hope the...
We help queer youth transform their anger into action.
OUT Maine’s working to create a world where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. But the world’s a scary place right now, especially for Maine’s queer kids. For many young people we work with, survival is a daily struggle and an achievement. The mental health crisis, exacerbated...
Book bans in Maine? Really?! Yes — and what you can do about it.
“Sorry this book is coming back late. It’s just — I never expected to read a book that was so close to my own life. Like. Never. With some weirdly similar and specific details! So I had to read it twice, then I made my dad, sister, and boyfriend read it.” The student...
A New Perspective on GenderQueer
By August Sender, Training Coordinator - OUT Maine The book Gender Queer, a memoir by Maia Kobabe, has been in the news consistently recently. If you haven’t been following along, the book is a graphic novel - a comic-style story of the author's experience learning...
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2022
Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20th November is Trans Awareness Month, and November 20th is the 23rd annual Trans Day of Remembrance. Starting in 1999, and globally recognized starting in 2010, Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) names and honors the...
Maine LGBTQ+ youth need YOU! 5 ways you can level-up your allyship (in addition to your Pride sticker!).
We love showing our allyship with a Pride flag, pin, or sticker — these are visible, eye-catching symbols of inclusivity for our LGBTQ+ community. When queer youth are out and about in the world, seeing your pronouns pin or that Safe Space sticker on your door means you’re a safe person who sees and values them.
We must stand together and tell our LGBTQ+ youth they matter!
Sue Campbell, Executive Director of OUT Maine, recently attended a school board meeting at MSAD 40 where approximately 300 people were in attendance to either give or listen to arguments for and against the book Gender Queer remaining in the high school library. ...
Welcome Jamie!
We are excited to welcome our new Finance Coordinator, Jamie Knowles! Jamie has spent most of his life in the Midcoast Maine region, and after several moves and trips around North America, came back to roost and serve his community. He comes to OUT Maine bringing his...
Queer BIPOC Youth Initiative
Sultana Khan (center) poses with youth at Rainbow Ball Weekend in May 2022. Photo courtesy of Steven Scoville.Thanks to generous gifts from The Rocking Moon Foundation and Leonard-Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation, OUT Maine spearheads a year-long “action research project” led...
Maggie Hirshland Joins OUT Maine plus Staff Updates
The OUT Maine team is pleased to welcome Maggie Hirshland to the team as the new Youth Engagement Coordinator! Maggie (she/they) graduated from the University of Virginia in 2020 where she double majored in Youth & Social Innovation and Public Policy. Since moving...