{{Short description|LBGTQ organization in Maine, United States}} {{Infobox organization | name = EqualityMaine | image = EqualityMaine logo.png | caption = The EqualityMaine logo | map = Map of USA ME.svg | map_size = 225px | map_caption = U.S. State of Maine | region_served = Maine | mission = | type = 501(c)(4) | tax_id = 01-0491854 | revenue = $427,717 (2017) | location = Portland, Maine | founded = 1984 | key_people = Gia Drew, executive director | num_employees = 6 | website = {{URL|http://equalitymaine.org/}} | former_name = Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance }}
'''EqualityMaine''' (formerly the '''Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance''') is Maine's oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) 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 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 LGBTQ Mainers and supports legislation that allow for fair treatment and equality.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://equalitymaine.org/about-us |website=EqualityMaine |access-date=8 June 2019 |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511211654/https://equalitymaine.org/about-us |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==History== EqualityMaine was founded as the Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance (MLGPA) in 1984,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/skowhegangay-marriage-mailers-put-to-rest-in-race_2010-10-27.html |title=Gay-marriage mailers put to rest in House District 85 race |last=Harlow |first=Doug |date=27 October 2010 |work=The Morning Sentinel |access-date=10 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031090038/http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/skowhegangay-marriage-mailers-put-to-rest-in-race_2010-10-27.html |archive-date=31 October 2010 }}</ref> following the murder of Charlie Howard.<ref name="Love2006">{{cite book|last=Love|first=Barbara J.|title=Feminists who changed America, 1963-1975|url=https://archive.org/details/feministswhochan00love|url-access=registration|access-date=10 April 2011|year=2006|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=978-0-252-03189-2|page=[https://archive.org/details/feministswhochan00love/page/109 109]}}</ref> The organization is the oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organization in the state. In 2008, they were a primary opponent of an attempt to revoke an anti-discrimination law in Maine.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-19-maine_N.htm|title=Maine group drops push to repeal gay rights law|date=19 June 2008|work=USA Today|access-date=10 April 2011}}</ref> In 2009, EqualityMaine was one of the main supporters of a push to recognize same-sex marriage in Maine.<ref>[http://www.pressherald.com/news/gay-rights-group-honors-sponsor-of-marriage-bill_2010-03-28.html Gay rights group honors sponsor of marriage bill] March 28, 2010; Portland Press Herald</ref><ref name="npr09">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103888604|title=The Nation: The Year Of Same-Sex Marriage!|last=Nichols|first=John|date=7 May 2009|work=NPR|access-date=10 April 2011}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/30/gay-marriage-maine_n_887872.html|title= Gay Marriage: Maine Supporters Plan Referendum|date=June 30, 2011|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=September 4, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/02/23/politics/secretary-of-state-says-same-sex-marriage-will-be-on-the-ballot/?ref=inline|title=Secretary of state says same-sex marriage will be on the ballot|date=February 23, 2012|publisher=Bangor Daily News|access-date=August 16, 2013}}</ref>
In July 2013, EqualityMaine announced a new, five-year strategic plan. That new strategic plan focuses the organization's work on issues that affect LGBTQ youth, elders, and people living in rural Maine.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2013/07/09/news/portland/with-marriage-equality-a-success-in-maine-now-what/|title=With marriage equality a success in Maine, now what?|date=July 9, 2013|publisher=Bangor Daily News|access-date=August 16, 2013}}</ref>
EqualityMaine's past executive director was Betsy Smith.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://portland.thephoenix.com/news/73933-gay-marriage-debate-comes-to-maine/ |title=Gay marriage debate comes to Maine: Civil Rights |last=Fulton |first=Deirdre |date=17 December 2008 |work=Portland Phoenix |access-date=10 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721182715/http://portland.thephoenix.com/news/73933-gay-marriage-debate-comes-to-maine/ |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Eric |title=EqualityMaine names new director |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2013/12/11/equalitymaine_names_new_director_/ |access-date=June 9, 2019 |agency=Tribune Business News |publisher=Tribune Content Agency LLC |date=December 11, 2013}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Koenig |first1=Seth |title=Maine gay rights group endorses Michaud, drawing angry responses from Cutler |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2014/01/02/politics/maine-gay-rights-group-endorses-michaud-drawing-angry-response-from-cutler/ |access-date=June 9, 2019 |agency=Tribune Business News |publisher=Tribune Content Agency LLC |date=January 2, 2014}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittle |first1=Patrick |title=Maine will issue gender-neutral driver licenses |url=https://www.apnews.com/366c0b50453842cfbb3f7754ec8ab1c5 |access-date=June 9, 2019 |agency=The Press Democrat |publisher=Sonoma Media Investments LLC |date=June 11, 2018}}</ref>
==Operations== Currently, EqualityMaine has four full-time staff members, a board of directors, and several part-time consultants.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.equalitymaine.org/our-story |website=EqualityMaine |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thank you to our sponsors |url=https://www.equalitymaine.org/sponsors |website=EqualityMaine |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> EqualityMaine operates out of the Equality Community Center in Portland, Maine and maintains an active social media presence that broadcasts upcoming events related to LGBTQ causes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://equalitymaine.org/contact-us-0 |website=EqualityMaine |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>
The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.<ref name="eqme">{{cite web | url=http://equalitymaine.org | title=Equality Maine | access-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|LGBTQ}} * LGBTQ rights in Maine * Same-sex marriage in Maine * List of LGBTQ rights organizations * Matt Moonen, former director
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * [http://www.equalitymaine.org/ EqualityMaine.org]
{{EqFed}} {{LGBT in the United States}}
Category:LGBTQ political advocacy groups in Maine Category:American organizations established in 1984 Category:1984 establishments in Maine Category:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations Category:Non-profit organizations based in Maine Category:Equality Federation Category:Organizations based in Portland, Maine