OUT Maine hires new Training Coordinator
OUT Maine is excited to announce that August Sender (they/them) is joining the OUT Maine team as the Training Coordinator. August comes to OUT from SASSMM (Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine) where they were the Education Co-Coordinator. They have spent...
Maine Department of Education Stands Up for LGBTQ+ Youth
(Friday, August 20, 2021) Today the Maine Department of Education launched a new website section devoted to improving school climate and support of LGBTQ+ students in Maine. “Every student in Maine has an irrefutable right to feel safe, recognized and valued in their...
United Midcoast Charities awards OUT Maine $11,000 for Youth Programs
The OUT Maine team is very grateful for a generous grant of $11,000 from United Midcoast Charities. This funding supports programs that provide connection, support and adult mentors for LGBTQ+ youth. Programming includes weekly virtual programs, an upcoming fall leadership retreat, regional overnights in Knox and Waldo, and the next Rainbow Ball weekend scheduled for April 2022.
Spruce Mountain High School GSA Thrives during Pandemic School Year
Spruce Mountain HS is a small school in a relatively conservative pocket in Western Maine. Just last year, a small group of students stepped up to form a GSA which quickly grew from 5 people to 27 very active members. I watched them form a community of their own where they were totally comfortable being themselves. This enabled them to attend school events that they would typically avoid and feel uncomfortable. Our big goal for the end of the year was to attend Rainbow Ball as a big group. Then, of course, covid.
Northeast 4-H Symposium Seeks To Improve Programming for LGBTQ+ Youth
State 4-H programs leaders from across New England gathered at the Northeast Extension LGBTQ+ Virtual Symposium in June. The symposium intended to help 4-H leaders better understand and address the needs of LGBTQ+ youth and their families as they deliver youth programming.
Hurricane Island Hosts OUT Maine Staff Retreat
OUT Maine staff had a great time at Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership last month for its overnight staff retreat. After a challenging pandemic year and extensive growth, in both programs and staff, the retreat offered a wonderful time of reconnection, rejuvenation and planning.
The Florence V. Burden Foundation in New York Awards $25,000 for OUT Maine School Work
OUT Maine is a proud recipient of a generous grant from The Florence V. Burden Foundation to make Maine rural schools more welcoming and affirming for LGBTQ+ youth. The grant will help develop five on-line training modules for school professionals. The modules will...
OUT Maine Partners with WERU-FM on LGBTQ+ Youth Voices Podcast Series
OUT Maine’s Emerging Youth Leaders has launched a podcast series for WERU-FM radio to share their stories and help educate our communities about the realities facing LGBTQ+ youth in Maine. Special thanks to WERU-FM for providing training and support to make this...
OUT Maine Adds New Staff
OUT Maine is thrilled to welcome Aiden Campbell and Inga Vickerman to the team, swelling the staff roster to eight.
Graffam Bros. Seafood Hosts Comedy Show to Benefit LGBTQ+ Youth
To commemorate its 75th anniversary, Graffam Bros. Seafood is putting on a show to benefit OUT Maine and the Camden Rotary Club Foundation! Mary Winchenbach, local comedian and star of TruTV’s Reality Show “Tirdy Works,” will be performing live at the Rockport Opera...