Maine Trans Day of Action
“It’s our House today!” Davida Ammerman of Maine People’s Alliance helped welcome 180 trans people and allies who assembled at the State House for a day of action and community on May 2. It was a lively day full of advocacy that helped State congressional members know all about upcoming bills that support transgender Mainers.
The morning began early, fueled by donuts, with Davida explaining to all that the State House is the house of the people — and how important it is to come and make your voice heard. “Legislators want to know what is important to their constituents,” Davida explained, “they’re interested in your story and how you feel about things.” And importantly, Davida reminded everyone that lobbying doesn’t stop with speaking to your representative there. “When you get home you call your legislator, write letters to the Editor …If these issues are important to you, don’t stop when you leave today.”
MaineTransNet’s Quinn Gormley helped set the tone for the day, explaining “Our focus today is going to be on pro equality bills and moving forward.” After going over a handout covering specific bills we would lobby for, and helpful guidance for the day, Quinn broke everyone up into groups by Senate districts. One of my district companions, Nico Connolly, was there as an advocate with his mom — taking time off from high school to talk to legislators. “Well, I’m trans, and It’s really important to me to have all of my rights”, he said, explaining that he was wanting to make his voice heard at the Senate. “Plus, I’m going to be studying political science, I think I will learn a lot today!”
Maine People’s Alliance’s Jim Lysen shepherded my group of constituents assembled from District 27, bringing everyone through the tunnel and security while explaining the morning’s procedures. “The legislature is pretty much a citizen legislature,” he said. “It’s great for us to have other people join us up here. With big groups like this, we can train you and help you feel good in the State House.” On our way to the hall of flags, we ran into Shenna Bellows, Maine’s Secretary of the State, and she gave everyone a warm welcome, thanking us for being there today as advocates. “It’s not every day you get a welcome like that from the Secretary of State,” said Jim.
The Hall of Flags was full of organizations tabling as advocates for trans people, and the hall was bustling. Our groups packed the stairs for a moving press conference, where Quinn declared that “together we’re going to do great things!” We heard from the Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance’s April Toma about the legislative efforts to erase transgender people that are gaining momentum across the country. “It’s heartbreaking that our state, our home, our children are being impacted by these bills,” April said. Representative Lorrie Osher declared that Maine “has been and continues to be a leader when it comes to policies that protect LGBTQ+ Mainers. I’m so proud of this tradition, and now is the time to choose equity once again.” She announced that she is cosponsoring LR 848, legislation that would make Maine a safe haven for families seeking gender affirming care. Representative Erin Sheehan declared “transgender Mainers deserve care they can rely on. All students deserve the safety and support they need so they can focus on their education.” Senator Mike Tipping noted “Transgender Americans are under attack across this country from those who are profiting over hatred, fear, division. There is extreme legislation in this body right now. We’ve seen things getting better, and there is increasing acceptance. That’s why there’s pushback, because we are growing stronger!” Senator Tipping encouraged those assembled to consider running for office, and assured us, “we have your back. We’ll be standing with you. You are loved, you are accepted, and you are represented here in Augusta.” Gia Drew, of Equality Maine, said she was in Augusta to celebrate! “My hope for you is to be able to find joy in community, and use that joy to share the light you bring with the world into today.”
Everyone then assembled for the main event — talking with legislators about key upcoming bills and their concerns. Groups of advocates found their Senators and House Reps, approaching them in the hallways or summoning them from the chambers with notes scrawled asking to speak. My Senator, Jill Duson, was welcoming and happy to hear from her constituents and grateful to have us all there. Nico was able to speak on behalf of his younger friends in school, hoping that LD 489 could be passed so that gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and religion could be included in the rights protected by the Department of Education’s rules on the Maine Human Rights Act, which hasn’t been updated for 20 years. Others spoke of the importance of passing legislation that would protect health care for transgender Mainers, and how LD 1080 and LD 956 would impact them, and their friends. The halls were crowded with conversations, and House Reps. including my own, Rep. Crockett, took the time to leave the chamber and speak with me and a fellow constituent, Rabbi Saks, who was one of the many clergy there as an advocate. We spoke on the importance of LD 489 for our own families, and why legislation updating data collection and healthcare was important for transgender Mainers.
It was a whirlwind of a morning, and a success, with over a hundred advocates there to make their opinions known in the halls of the State House. Nico Connelly was beaming when asked about getting to speak with his Senator. “It was so cool to get to talk to the Senator and really feel like she listened and was supporting me,” he said, emphasizing the importance of making the journey to Augusta — being heard and making a difference for Mainers.
