#mainepride — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #mainepride, aggregated by home.social.
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Socializing Day 2 - Out and about in #PortlandME today. I love being a tourist in my old stomping grounds. A bit gentrified, but still very gay!
#MainePride #GayCrossing #StreetPride #GBLTQ+ #Crosswalks #PrideCrosswalks #InclusivePride #RainbowCrosswalks #MaineIsntFlorida
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Tee hee. I just had to unfurl the flag before I took this picture! #PrideFlags should be flying freely!
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[Thread] Went for a walk in #PortlandME today and took some photos of my favorite house. I don't know who lives there, but I want to hang out with them!
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[Thread] Went for a walk in #PortlandME today and took some photos of my favorite house. I don't know who lives there, but I want to hang out with them!
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[Thread] Went for a walk in #PortlandME today and took some photos of my favorite house. I don't know who lives there, but I want to hang out with them!
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[Thread] Went for a walk in #PortlandME today and took some photos of my favorite house. I don't know who lives there, but I want to hang out with them!
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[Thread] Went for a walk in #PortlandME today and took some photos of my favorite house. I don't know who lives there, but I want to hang out with them!
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#HappyPride! #PortlandME was hopping today! The #Furry flotilla rocked!
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FUCK YEAH!!! #Maine Senate rejects sports ban, sounding death knell for #AntiTrans bills this session
Eesha Pendharkar
Tue, June 17, 2025"All legislation seeking to roll back rights for #Transgender people in Maine has now failed after the majority of the Senate on Monday rejected a bill that would have banned #TransgenderGirls from participating in girls sports.
"That means that despite pressure from President Donald #Trump’s administration, Maine will continue to uphold the right for trans students to participate in sports that align with their gender identity.
"The state’s policies have come under scrutiny over the past few months, with the Department of Justice launching a lawsuit against the state for allegedly violating federal anti-discrimination protections in addition to repeated threats from several agencies to cut federal funding.
"Last week, House lawmakers advanced LD 233, which sought to ban trans girls from playing on girls’ teams. It was the only bill out of eight anti-trans measures that a majority of lawmakers in the lower chamber supported, with four Democrats joining with Republicans to advance the bill. During the floor debate, many argued that the bill was not intended to punish trans students, but to bring fairness to athletics and preserve girls’ spaces.
"However, on Monday, the Senate voted 21-13 to reject that bill as well as other measures not supported by the House, including bills aiming to ban trans students from bathrooms, locker rooms (LD 868) and trans people from single-sex shelters (LD 1337).
"Later in the evening, both the House and Senate voted to insist on their respective positions, effectively killing the measure, since the chambers could not agree."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/maine-senate-rejects-sports-ban-165747159.html
#MaineResists #MainePride #TransgenderAthletes #ProtectTransYouth #ProtectTransKids #TransRights #TrumpIsAFascist #SeeYouInCourt #GLBTQNews #MainePol #USPol #TransRightsAreHumanRights
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#WMPG Celebrates Pride
This June, WMPG is turning up the volume on love, identity, and community. Join us for a month-long celebration featuring queer-themed music, powerful storytelling, and special programming that honors LGBTQ+ voices past and present. From thought-provoking podcasts to live shows spotlighting queer artists and activists, we’re proud to stand with the community and share stories that inspire, uplift, and unite. Tune in and celebrate Pride with WMPG all month long! Programs featuring Pride segments include:
Off The Rails 6/4, 6/25
Scientifically Speaking 6/6
B4 The Drop 6/7, 6/21
The Lagniappe Show 6/9
Mindfuzz 6/10
On Shuffle 6/11, 6/25
Left of the Dial 6/11 (with #DJShaxx)
Sunrise Syndrome 6/13
It’s Not A Phase 6/13
As It Sounds 6/13
The Shroud 6/13 (Goth show, with DJ Jeannie)
Gravewave 6/15
Neon Drift 6/15
Sunday Simcha 6/15
Wax Poetic 6/16
The Morning Beat (Lana & Annella) 6/18,
Pride Special with NPILAR, Annella & Guests 6/21
Reasonable Music 6/20
Foot on the Rock 6/20
The Butcher Shop 6/20
Sound System Supreme 6/22
Community Voices For Change 6/23
Purple Monkey Dishwasher 6/23
Chartered Trips 6/24
Juke Jive n Jazz 6/25
Stuck in the 80s 6/26https://www.wmpg.org/wmpg-celebrates-pride/
Audio archives available for 5 weeks:
https://www.wmpg.org/programming/ -
#PrideMonth kicks off in #Maine with celebrations and resources for #LGBTQ+ community :better_pride: 🏳️🌈
by Aysia Reed, June 2nd 2025 at 5:59 AM
#PortlandME (WGME) -- "It's Pride Month and there are multiple celebrations kicking off across the state this June. It's also important to recognize resources available for the #LGBTQ+ community.
#EqualityMaine is an organization working to secure full equality for #LGBTQ+ people.
"They have plenty of resources for LGBTQ+ youth, including what #StudentRights are in #Maine to information about #QueerCamps for ages 13 - 17.
"Equality Maine also has resources for networking for older adults. That includes a virtual statewide social hour on June 11 and a LGBTQ+ lunch in Hallowell at their community center.
"The group says there has been a lot of concern about changes to transgender health care but ensures there are still strong legal protections in Maine for #transgender health care in the state.
"There are Pride celebrations taking place in Portland, #OgunquitME, Lewiston-Auburn, and more this month.
"The #PridePortland Parade and Festival will be held in Portland on June 21.
"It's Maine’s largest Pride parade. It kicks off at 1:30 p.m. at Monument Square with more than 100 groups expecting to march.
"This year's theme is '#MaineTranscends.'
"A three-day Pride celebration will be held in Ogunquit. The weekend Pride celebration kicks off with a Pride Picnic at The Front Porch and a Kick-Off Party at the West Meadow Pub on Friday evening with live music and Pride themed cocktails.
"The main event is a Saturday flag raising in Veteran’s Park, followed by a 'Pride in the Park' event featuring food trucks, live entertainment and LGBTQ+ vendors promoting items, programs and services.
"Folks in Lewiston and Auburn kicked off Pride Month on Sunday with the Great Falls Pride march. The organizers of the event say it’s so valuable to recognize this month.
" 'Given politics and the state of the world right now there is a lot of rhetoric and a lot of strong feelings against our community right now, so I think it’s good to have a space to come together to celebrate and it’s wonderful to see allies together, people show up for us,' said Alex Pine, a #GreatFallsPride organizer.
" '#Queer, #TransPeople, come from all walks of life. We come from all creeds and colors, and it's good for us to come together and see that for each other,' said Beatrice Roseland, who attended the Great Falls Pride march."
#MainePride #MainePrideEvents
#GBLTQRights #ProtectTransYouth #MaineResists #MaineEvents #TransRightsAreHumanRights -
I love my peeps at #WMPG! Despite threats of funding cuts to #CPB (which helps fund WMPG as well as Public Radio and Television), they are still celebrating #PRIDEMonth! YES!
"This June, WMPG is turning up the volume on love, identity, and community. Join us for a month-long celebration featuring #queer-themed music, powerful storytelling, and special programming that honors #LGBTQ+ voices past and present. From thought-provoking podcasts to live shows spotlighting queer artists and activists, we’re proud to stand with the community and share stories that inspire, uplift, and unite. Tune in and celebrate Pride with WMPG all month long!"
https://www.wmpg.org/wmpg-celebrates-pride/
#CommunityRadio #CollegeRadio #WMPGFM #BadDOGE #TrumpIsABully #CorporationForPublicBroadcasting #MaineResists #MainePride
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#GreatFalls #PrideMarch unites #AuburnME and #LewistonME in community celebration :better_pride: 🏳️🌈
by Allyson Lapierre, WGME
Sun, June 1st 2025LEWISTON, Maine (WGME) -- "A march for Pride.
"#GreatFallsPride kicked off #PrideMonth, marching from Auburn to Lewiston.
"Advocates marched, chanted, and waved flags from Auburn's Festival Plaza across the bridge into Lewiston's Simard Payne Park.
" 'Together, we are strong together, we are here together. We can make it through all of this, and it's only together that we will continue [to] succeed. Continue to thrive and continue to survive,' Beatrice Roseland, a Pride advocate, said.
"Chair of Great Falls Pride Alex Pine says the group has celebrated Pride Month every year for over a decade, and this year, they are keeping the tradition going.
" 'In modern life, I think it's so easy to be separate. We have social media. We're all online, we're busy, we're doing our thing, so we don’t often get a chance to all come together in this way, so physical coming together is so important for connection, friendships, community for love,' Pine said.
"The event continued in the park where around 50 local venders set up shop, offering a range of options from handmade jewelry, food, art, and more.
" 'It's really important for us to have this space to come together, to celebrate, but it also feels wonderful to see allies here and see the community show up for us,' Pine went on.
"Support groups also gathered to bring #LGBTQ+ community members together.
" '#Queer, #TransPeople, come from all walks of life, we come from all creeds and colors, and it's good for us to come together and see that for each other,' Roseland said.
"The volunteer-led group is hosting a number of events all week to celebrate the start of Pride Month.
" 'We have made it that week-long of things where we get to really introduce people to different ways to be in this community and be part of it, whether you like biking, or I feel like telling stories, it's all important things that people get to be a part of,' Tyler Pulk, the future chair of Great Falls Pride, said.
"Here are a list of events hosted by Great Falls Pride:
June 1:
- Pride March & Festival (10 AM)
- Afterparty at Olive Pit Brewing (6 PM)June 2:
- Board Game Night at Forage Market (5 PM)June 3:
- Pride Bike Ride with Rainbow Bikes (5:30 PM meet, 6 PM ride)June 4:
- Printmaking & Art at Ellard Studios (5 PM)June 5:
- Stories at the Corner with L/A Arts (7 PM)June 6:
- LGBTQ Wine Tasting at The Vault (5 PM)
- Painting Positivity at Maine Family Planning (6 PM)June 7:
- Pride Prom at #LewistonPublicLibrary (All Ages 5–7 PM, Adults 8–10 PM)"#MainePride #MainePrideEvents #GBLTQRights #TransRightsAreHumanRights
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It seems my #MainePride sign was a big hit!
#SouthPortlandME #HandsOff #HandsOff2025 #MaineResists #HandsOff2025 #April5th #BadDOGE #HandsOffOurBodies #HandsOffOurJobs #HandsOffOurSchools #DontApologizeJanet #JanetMills -
[Thread] So, I was at the #SouthPortlandME #HandsOff rally. Not as big as the #PortlandME or #AugustaME ones (I hear Augusta one was HUGE), but we still made an impact! I brought extra signs and found folks willing to hold them up! That's where I needed to be!
#SouthPortlandME #MaineResists #HandsOff2025 #April5th #BadDOGE #ResistFascism #FreeMahmoudKhalil #WaterIsLife #FundLibrariesNotSpaceX #MainePride -
A bit fuzzy, but I love this group -- Queers for Climate Justice! I may have to march with them next year!
#ProtectForestsInMaine #ClimateJustice #PrideParade #PortlandMaine #PridePortland #QueersForClimateJustice #MainePride #ProtectTheForest #LiberationForAll -
[Paywall - article copied in contents] Negative response to first #WindhamMaine #Pride event prompts #DragQueens to cancel performance
#Drag Queen #ChartreuseMoney said a man she didn't know told her that attending the event would put her life at risk. Organizers say it's just one example of the pushback they've received.
by Rachel Ohm, May 31, 2024
"A group of drag queens that was scheduled to perform at a Pride celebration in Windham this weekend has dropped out of the event after community pushback and a threatening encounter prompted the performers to question their safety.
"'Unfortunately, because people in the town haven’t been standing up and being vocal enough in fighting this #hate against #queer people and people in drag, there’s just been this community of hate that has truly terrorized us,' said Chartreuse Money, one of the drag queens who had been scheduled to perform Sunday.
"Money, who asked to be identified by her stage name because of safety concerns, said she was approached by a man she didn’t know in a bar in #PortlandMaine last week and was told not to attend the event because her life would be in danger. She said the encounter shook her and was a key reason she and other drag queens dropped out of the #TogetherWeRise event."It’s the first Pride celebration to be held in the town and came about in response to a contentious debate in the school district last year about whether #books with queer storylines and characters should be allowed in classrooms.
"And while the overall response has been positive, there has been pushback from a small number of people, said Kate Turpen, board president of Windham & Raymond Pride, which is organizing the event.
'There’s a lane of amazing support that I’m so grateful for, and then there’s a lane of threats and closed-mindedness,' Turpen said. 'Due to the #ClosedMindedness and use of social media with reckless abandon from some of our neighbors, we don’t have the privilege of having a drag show anymore.' But the festival will go on, Turpen said."The cancellation of the drag show is just the latest example of the negative response some communities have seen as Pride events in Maine and elsewhere have grown in popularity. Protesters showed up at an inaugural Pride event in #GorhamMaine last year and residents in #UnityMaine circulated a petition trying to ban Pride decorations on town property.
"A record amount of legislation attacking LGBTQ+ rights has advanced in recent years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union [#ACLU], and the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning of potential violence last month in advance of Pride Month activities.
"#GiaDrew, executive director of #EqualityMaine, an organization dedicated to education and outreach in support of LGBTQ+ people, said there are more than 31 Pride events scheduled in Maine in June during Pride month.
"'That’s wonderful and I think it’s a wonderful show of support for the #LGBTQ community, especially in light of some of the national pushback on our community and some of the pushback our community has faced here in Maine,' Drew said. 'But with that comes some safety considerations. We definitely know last year there were some really targeted attacks and push back and hurtful language.'
‘I NEEDED TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT’
"Money said she was in a bar in Portland after a performance last week when a man she didn’t know approached her and asked if she was planning to perform at the upcoming Pride event in Windham. The man leaned in close and told her not to go to the event, Money said. He said he couldn’t say anything more than that there was a threat and that Money’s life would be in danger if she went.
"Not long before she left, Money said she was shaken by the exchange and noticed the man was lingering outside. She felt him stare at her from his truck before he drove off.
"'I didn’t know if he was warning me of the threat or if he was an active threat,' Money said. 'I needed to immediately get out of the bar.'
"She said she called police in Portland and Windham when she got home and the next day got in touch with the organizers of the event. She also reported the incident to the FBI.
Windham police Chief Kevin Schofield said Thursday that his department was able to identify the man who approached Money and he did not appear to have any information about a specific threat."'The statements were made in the context of there’s most likely going to be some protesters and there were some opposing comments made on social media, not in the context of any direct knowledge or inside information that someone is going to be targeted,' Schofield said.
"Schofield said police also have been made aware of 'some opposing views and comments' being made about the event on Facebook, but 'nothing we would call a direct threat to any specific individual.'
"He said police have been working with organizers for months and will be at Sunday’s event.
“Our goal is to be prepared and facilitate a safe event for all attendees,” Schofield said.
DECISION TO DROP OUT"Money said the threatening exchange along with other pushback and issues related to the event factored into the drag queens’ collective decision to call off their show. 'We decided the best way we could go forward with having Pride in Windham and being safe, was to have the performances cease and not happen anymore,' Money said.
"Money said the drag queens and organizers had a meeting on Zoom Wednesday. One performer brought up a social media post about a man saying he was planning to make shirts to impersonate event volunteers. And Money said she was concerned about some aspects of how the town of Windham responded to the event, which is being held on town property though the town was not involved in organizing it.
"She said that after some people started criticizing the event, the town asked the drag queens to sign #LiabilityWaivers saying they wouldn’t hold the town liable if they were hurt or injured during the event. Money said that seemed unusual.
"A spokesperson for the town of Windham said officials were not available Thursday afternoon to answer questions about the event, including the reason for the liability form and if it is standard, and whether the town has a position on the event.
"Turpen, the Windham & Raymond Pride president, said that what happened to Money was just one example of some of the pushback organizers have gotten. They’ve had to rethink their volunteer strategy because of the concerns about someone trying to impersonate volunteers. There have also been calls for people to speak out about the event at town council meetings, Turpen said.
'It’s disappointing to me that a vocal minority is influencing the perception of this opportunity for our residents,' Turpen said."The reaction and the decision for the drag queens to drop out of the event also has disappointed some residents and officials.
"'To have the intimidation and #bullying kind of shut down part of it, it’s just a shame,' said Jarrod Maxfield, a town councilor. 'I don’t think that should go unanswered or that we shouldn’t let the public know. I think the public should know. We want to encourage people to come despite that bullying and intimidation. The show – at least part of it – is still going to go on.'
"Drew, from EqualityMaine, said her group works with communities and organizations on event planning and how to be safe. She also encouraged people who are the target of threats or bias to reach out to police, or if they don’t feel comfortable doing so themselves, to reach out to #EqualityMaine to advocate on their behalf.
"Drew said the majority of Mainers are understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ+ but there is still work to be done.
"'I do think some of the misinformation or stereotypes or lack of familiarity is raised in some of the rhetoric we’re hearing,' she said. 'That’s definitely part of our work (to address that) ... but I do believe we’re making progress and I think most #Mainers support #LGBTQ+ people.'"
#DragShows #MainePride #Maine #BookBans #NoRoomForHateInOurState
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[Paywall - article copied in contents] Negative response to first #WindhamMaine #Pride event prompts #DragQueens to cancel performance
#Drag Queen #ChartreuseMoney said a man she didn't know told her that attending the event would put her life at risk. Organizers say it's just one example of the pushback they've received.
by Rachel Ohm, May 31, 2024
"A group of drag queens that was scheduled to perform at a Pride celebration in Windham this weekend has dropped out of the event after community pushback and a threatening encounter prompted the performers to question their safety.
"'Unfortunately, because people in the town haven’t been standing up and being vocal enough in fighting this #hate against #queer people and people in drag, there’s just been this community of hate that has truly terrorized us,' said Chartreuse Money, one of the drag queens who had been scheduled to perform Sunday.
"Money, who asked to be identified by her stage name because of safety concerns, said she was approached by a man she didn’t know in a bar in #PortlandMaine last week and was told not to attend the event because her life would be in danger. She said the encounter shook her and was a key reason she and other drag queens dropped out of the #TogetherWeRise event."It’s the first Pride celebration to be held in the town and came about in response to a contentious debate in the school district last year about whether #books with queer storylines and characters should be allowed in classrooms.
"And while the overall response has been positive, there has been pushback from a small number of people, said Kate Turpen, board president of Windham & Raymond Pride, which is organizing the event.
'There’s a lane of amazing support that I’m so grateful for, and then there’s a lane of threats and closed-mindedness,' Turpen said. 'Due to the #ClosedMindedness and use of social media with reckless abandon from some of our neighbors, we don’t have the privilege of having a drag show anymore.' But the festival will go on, Turpen said."The cancellation of the drag show is just the latest example of the negative response some communities have seen as Pride events in Maine and elsewhere have grown in popularity. Protesters showed up at an inaugural Pride event in #GorhamMaine last year and residents in #UnityMaine circulated a petition trying to ban Pride decorations on town property.
"A record amount of legislation attacking LGBTQ+ rights has advanced in recent years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union [#ACLU], and the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning of potential violence last month in advance of Pride Month activities.
"#GiaDrew, executive director of #EqualityMaine, an organization dedicated to education and outreach in support of LGBTQ+ people, said there are more than 31 Pride events scheduled in Maine in June during Pride month.
"'That’s wonderful and I think it’s a wonderful show of support for the #LGBTQ community, especially in light of some of the national pushback on our community and some of the pushback our community has faced here in Maine,' Drew said. 'But with that comes some safety considerations. We definitely know last year there were some really targeted attacks and push back and hurtful language.'
‘I NEEDED TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT’
"Money said she was in a bar in Portland after a performance last week when a man she didn’t know approached her and asked if she was planning to perform at the upcoming Pride event in Windham. The man leaned in close and told her not to go to the event, Money said. He said he couldn’t say anything more than that there was a threat and that Money’s life would be in danger if she went.
"Not long before she left, Money said she was shaken by the exchange and noticed the man was lingering outside. She felt him stare at her from his truck before he drove off.
"'I didn’t know if he was warning me of the threat or if he was an active threat,' Money said. 'I needed to immediately get out of the bar.'
"She said she called police in Portland and Windham when she got home and the next day got in touch with the organizers of the event. She also reported the incident to the FBI.
Windham police Chief Kevin Schofield said Thursday that his department was able to identify the man who approached Money and he did not appear to have any information about a specific threat."'The statements were made in the context of there’s most likely going to be some protesters and there were some opposing comments made on social media, not in the context of any direct knowledge or inside information that someone is going to be targeted,' Schofield said.
"Schofield said police also have been made aware of 'some opposing views and comments' being made about the event on Facebook, but 'nothing we would call a direct threat to any specific individual.'
"He said police have been working with organizers for months and will be at Sunday’s event.
“Our goal is to be prepared and facilitate a safe event for all attendees,” Schofield said.
DECISION TO DROP OUT"Money said the threatening exchange along with other pushback and issues related to the event factored into the drag queens’ collective decision to call off their show. 'We decided the best way we could go forward with having Pride in Windham and being safe, was to have the performances cease and not happen anymore,' Money said.
"Money said the drag queens and organizers had a meeting on Zoom Wednesday. One performer brought up a social media post about a man saying he was planning to make shirts to impersonate event volunteers. And Money said she was concerned about some aspects of how the town of Windham responded to the event, which is being held on town property though the town was not involved in organizing it.
"She said that after some people started criticizing the event, the town asked the drag queens to sign #LiabilityWaivers saying they wouldn’t hold the town liable if they were hurt or injured during the event. Money said that seemed unusual.
"A spokesperson for the town of Windham said officials were not available Thursday afternoon to answer questions about the event, including the reason for the liability form and if it is standard, and whether the town has a position on the event.
"Turpen, the Windham & Raymond Pride president, said that what happened to Money was just one example of some of the pushback organizers have gotten. They’ve had to rethink their volunteer strategy because of the concerns about someone trying to impersonate volunteers. There have also been calls for people to speak out about the event at town council meetings, Turpen said.
'It’s disappointing to me that a vocal minority is influencing the perception of this opportunity for our residents,' Turpen said."The reaction and the decision for the drag queens to drop out of the event also has disappointed some residents and officials.
"'To have the intimidation and #bullying kind of shut down part of it, it’s just a shame,' said Jarrod Maxfield, a town councilor. 'I don’t think that should go unanswered or that we shouldn’t let the public know. I think the public should know. We want to encourage people to come despite that bullying and intimidation. The show – at least part of it – is still going to go on.'
"Drew, from EqualityMaine, said her group works with communities and organizations on event planning and how to be safe. She also encouraged people who are the target of threats or bias to reach out to police, or if they don’t feel comfortable doing so themselves, to reach out to #EqualityMaine to advocate on their behalf.
"Drew said the majority of Mainers are understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ+ but there is still work to be done.
"'I do think some of the misinformation or stereotypes or lack of familiarity is raised in some of the rhetoric we’re hearing,' she said. 'That’s definitely part of our work (to address that) ... but I do believe we’re making progress and I think most #Mainers support #LGBTQ+ people.'"
#DragShows #MainePride #Maine #BookBans #NoRoomForHateInOurState
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[Paywall - article copied in contents] Negative response to first #WindhamMaine #Pride event prompts #DragQueens to cancel performance
#Drag Queen #ChartreuseMoney said a man she didn't know told her that attending the event would put her life at risk. Organizers say it's just one example of the pushback they've received.
by Rachel Ohm, May 31, 2024
"A group of drag queens that was scheduled to perform at a Pride celebration in Windham this weekend has dropped out of the event after community pushback and a threatening encounter prompted the performers to question their safety.
"'Unfortunately, because people in the town haven’t been standing up and being vocal enough in fighting this #hate against #queer people and people in drag, there’s just been this community of hate that has truly terrorized us,' said Chartreuse Money, one of the drag queens who had been scheduled to perform Sunday.
"Money, who asked to be identified by her stage name because of safety concerns, said she was approached by a man she didn’t know in a bar in #PortlandMaine last week and was told not to attend the event because her life would be in danger. She said the encounter shook her and was a key reason she and other drag queens dropped out of the #TogetherWeRise event."It’s the first Pride celebration to be held in the town and came about in response to a contentious debate in the school district last year about whether #books with queer storylines and characters should be allowed in classrooms.
"And while the overall response has been positive, there has been pushback from a small number of people, said Kate Turpen, board president of Windham & Raymond Pride, which is organizing the event.
'There’s a lane of amazing support that I’m so grateful for, and then there’s a lane of threats and closed-mindedness,' Turpen said. 'Due to the #ClosedMindedness and use of social media with reckless abandon from some of our neighbors, we don’t have the privilege of having a drag show anymore.' But the festival will go on, Turpen said."The cancellation of the drag show is just the latest example of the negative response some communities have seen as Pride events in Maine and elsewhere have grown in popularity. Protesters showed up at an inaugural Pride event in #GorhamMaine last year and residents in #UnityMaine circulated a petition trying to ban Pride decorations on town property.
"A record amount of legislation attacking LGBTQ+ rights has advanced in recent years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union [#ACLU], and the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning of potential violence last month in advance of Pride Month activities.
"#GiaDrew, executive director of #EqualityMaine, an organization dedicated to education and outreach in support of LGBTQ+ people, said there are more than 31 Pride events scheduled in Maine in June during Pride month.
"'That’s wonderful and I think it’s a wonderful show of support for the #LGBTQ community, especially in light of some of the national pushback on our community and some of the pushback our community has faced here in Maine,' Drew said. 'But with that comes some safety considerations. We definitely know last year there were some really targeted attacks and push back and hurtful language.'
‘I NEEDED TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT’
"Money said she was in a bar in Portland after a performance last week when a man she didn’t know approached her and asked if she was planning to perform at the upcoming Pride event in Windham. The man leaned in close and told her not to go to the event, Money said. He said he couldn’t say anything more than that there was a threat and that Money’s life would be in danger if she went.
"Not long before she left, Money said she was shaken by the exchange and noticed the man was lingering outside. She felt him stare at her from his truck before he drove off.
"'I didn’t know if he was warning me of the threat or if he was an active threat,' Money said. 'I needed to immediately get out of the bar.'
"She said she called police in Portland and Windham when she got home and the next day got in touch with the organizers of the event. She also reported the incident to the FBI.
Windham police Chief Kevin Schofield said Thursday that his department was able to identify the man who approached Money and he did not appear to have any information about a specific threat."'The statements were made in the context of there’s most likely going to be some protesters and there were some opposing comments made on social media, not in the context of any direct knowledge or inside information that someone is going to be targeted,' Schofield said.
"Schofield said police also have been made aware of 'some opposing views and comments' being made about the event on Facebook, but 'nothing we would call a direct threat to any specific individual.'
"He said police have been working with organizers for months and will be at Sunday’s event.
“Our goal is to be prepared and facilitate a safe event for all attendees,” Schofield said.
DECISION TO DROP OUT"Money said the threatening exchange along with other pushback and issues related to the event factored into the drag queens’ collective decision to call off their show. 'We decided the best way we could go forward with having Pride in Windham and being safe, was to have the performances cease and not happen anymore,' Money said.
"Money said the drag queens and organizers had a meeting on Zoom Wednesday. One performer brought up a social media post about a man saying he was planning to make shirts to impersonate event volunteers. And Money said she was concerned about some aspects of how the town of Windham responded to the event, which is being held on town property though the town was not involved in organizing it.
"She said that after some people started criticizing the event, the town asked the drag queens to sign #LiabilityWaivers saying they wouldn’t hold the town liable if they were hurt or injured during the event. Money said that seemed unusual.
"A spokesperson for the town of Windham said officials were not available Thursday afternoon to answer questions about the event, including the reason for the liability form and if it is standard, and whether the town has a position on the event.
"Turpen, the Windham & Raymond Pride president, said that what happened to Money was just one example of some of the pushback organizers have gotten. They’ve had to rethink their volunteer strategy because of the concerns about someone trying to impersonate volunteers. There have also been calls for people to speak out about the event at town council meetings, Turpen said.
'It’s disappointing to me that a vocal minority is influencing the perception of this opportunity for our residents,' Turpen said."The reaction and the decision for the drag queens to drop out of the event also has disappointed some residents and officials.
"'To have the intimidation and #bullying kind of shut down part of it, it’s just a shame,' said Jarrod Maxfield, a town councilor. 'I don’t think that should go unanswered or that we shouldn’t let the public know. I think the public should know. We want to encourage people to come despite that bullying and intimidation. The show – at least part of it – is still going to go on.'
"Drew, from EqualityMaine, said her group works with communities and organizations on event planning and how to be safe. She also encouraged people who are the target of threats or bias to reach out to police, or if they don’t feel comfortable doing so themselves, to reach out to #EqualityMaine to advocate on their behalf.
"Drew said the majority of Mainers are understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ+ but there is still work to be done.
"'I do think some of the misinformation or stereotypes or lack of familiarity is raised in some of the rhetoric we’re hearing,' she said. 'That’s definitely part of our work (to address that) ... but I do believe we’re making progress and I think most #Mainers support #LGBTQ+ people.'"
#DragShows #MainePride #Maine #BookBans #NoRoomForHateInOurState
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[Paywall - article copied in contents] Negative response to first #WindhamMaine #Pride event prompts #DragQueens to cancel performance
#Drag Queen #ChartreuseMoney said a man she didn't know told her that attending the event would put her life at risk. Organizers say it's just one example of the pushback they've received.
by Rachel Ohm, May 31, 2024
"A group of drag queens that was scheduled to perform at a Pride celebration in Windham this weekend has dropped out of the event after community pushback and a threatening encounter prompted the performers to question their safety.
"'Unfortunately, because people in the town haven’t been standing up and being vocal enough in fighting this #hate against #queer people and people in drag, there’s just been this community of hate that has truly terrorized us,' said Chartreuse Money, one of the drag queens who had been scheduled to perform Sunday.
"Money, who asked to be identified by her stage name because of safety concerns, said she was approached by a man she didn’t know in a bar in #PortlandMaine last week and was told not to attend the event because her life would be in danger. She said the encounter shook her and was a key reason she and other drag queens dropped out of the #TogetherWeRise event."It’s the first Pride celebration to be held in the town and came about in response to a contentious debate in the school district last year about whether #books with queer storylines and characters should be allowed in classrooms.
"And while the overall response has been positive, there has been pushback from a small number of people, said Kate Turpen, board president of Windham & Raymond Pride, which is organizing the event.
'There’s a lane of amazing support that I’m so grateful for, and then there’s a lane of threats and closed-mindedness,' Turpen said. 'Due to the #ClosedMindedness and use of social media with reckless abandon from some of our neighbors, we don’t have the privilege of having a drag show anymore.' But the festival will go on, Turpen said."The cancellation of the drag show is just the latest example of the negative response some communities have seen as Pride events in Maine and elsewhere have grown in popularity. Protesters showed up at an inaugural Pride event in #GorhamMaine last year and residents in #UnityMaine circulated a petition trying to ban Pride decorations on town property.
"A record amount of legislation attacking LGBTQ+ rights has advanced in recent years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union [#ACLU], and the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning of potential violence last month in advance of Pride Month activities.
"#GiaDrew, executive director of #EqualityMaine, an organization dedicated to education and outreach in support of LGBTQ+ people, said there are more than 31 Pride events scheduled in Maine in June during Pride month.
"'That’s wonderful and I think it’s a wonderful show of support for the #LGBTQ community, especially in light of some of the national pushback on our community and some of the pushback our community has faced here in Maine,' Drew said. 'But with that comes some safety considerations. We definitely know last year there were some really targeted attacks and push back and hurtful language.'
‘I NEEDED TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT’
"Money said she was in a bar in Portland after a performance last week when a man she didn’t know approached her and asked if she was planning to perform at the upcoming Pride event in Windham. The man leaned in close and told her not to go to the event, Money said. He said he couldn’t say anything more than that there was a threat and that Money’s life would be in danger if she went.
"Not long before she left, Money said she was shaken by the exchange and noticed the man was lingering outside. She felt him stare at her from his truck before he drove off.
"'I didn’t know if he was warning me of the threat or if he was an active threat,' Money said. 'I needed to immediately get out of the bar.'
"She said she called police in Portland and Windham when she got home and the next day got in touch with the organizers of the event. She also reported the incident to the FBI.
Windham police Chief Kevin Schofield said Thursday that his department was able to identify the man who approached Money and he did not appear to have any information about a specific threat."'The statements were made in the context of there’s most likely going to be some protesters and there were some opposing comments made on social media, not in the context of any direct knowledge or inside information that someone is going to be targeted,' Schofield said.
"Schofield said police also have been made aware of 'some opposing views and comments' being made about the event on Facebook, but 'nothing we would call a direct threat to any specific individual.'
"He said police have been working with organizers for months and will be at Sunday’s event.
“Our goal is to be prepared and facilitate a safe event for all attendees,” Schofield said.
DECISION TO DROP OUT"Money said the threatening exchange along with other pushback and issues related to the event factored into the drag queens’ collective decision to call off their show. 'We decided the best way we could go forward with having Pride in Windham and being safe, was to have the performances cease and not happen anymore,' Money said.
"Money said the drag queens and organizers had a meeting on Zoom Wednesday. One performer brought up a social media post about a man saying he was planning to make shirts to impersonate event volunteers. And Money said she was concerned about some aspects of how the town of Windham responded to the event, which is being held on town property though the town was not involved in organizing it.
"She said that after some people started criticizing the event, the town asked the drag queens to sign #LiabilityWaivers saying they wouldn’t hold the town liable if they were hurt or injured during the event. Money said that seemed unusual.
"A spokesperson for the town of Windham said officials were not available Thursday afternoon to answer questions about the event, including the reason for the liability form and if it is standard, and whether the town has a position on the event.
"Turpen, the Windham & Raymond Pride president, said that what happened to Money was just one example of some of the pushback organizers have gotten. They’ve had to rethink their volunteer strategy because of the concerns about someone trying to impersonate volunteers. There have also been calls for people to speak out about the event at town council meetings, Turpen said.
'It’s disappointing to me that a vocal minority is influencing the perception of this opportunity for our residents,' Turpen said."The reaction and the decision for the drag queens to drop out of the event also has disappointed some residents and officials.
"'To have the intimidation and #bullying kind of shut down part of it, it’s just a shame,' said Jarrod Maxfield, a town councilor. 'I don’t think that should go unanswered or that we shouldn’t let the public know. I think the public should know. We want to encourage people to come despite that bullying and intimidation. The show – at least part of it – is still going to go on.'
"Drew, from EqualityMaine, said her group works with communities and organizations on event planning and how to be safe. She also encouraged people who are the target of threats or bias to reach out to police, or if they don’t feel comfortable doing so themselves, to reach out to #EqualityMaine to advocate on their behalf.
"Drew said the majority of Mainers are understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ+ but there is still work to be done.
"'I do think some of the misinformation or stereotypes or lack of familiarity is raised in some of the rhetoric we’re hearing,' she said. 'That’s definitely part of our work (to address that) ... but I do believe we’re making progress and I think most #Mainers support #LGBTQ+ people.'"
#DragShows #MainePride #Maine #BookBans #NoRoomForHateInOurState
-
[Paywall - article copied in contents] Negative response to first #WindhamMaine #Pride event prompts #DragQueens to cancel performance
#Drag Queen #ChartreuseMoney said a man she didn't know told her that attending the event would put her life at risk. Organizers say it's just one example of the pushback they've received.
by Rachel Ohm, May 31, 2024
"A group of drag queens that was scheduled to perform at a Pride celebration in Windham this weekend has dropped out of the event after community pushback and a threatening encounter prompted the performers to question their safety.
"'Unfortunately, because people in the town haven’t been standing up and being vocal enough in fighting this #hate against #queer people and people in drag, there’s just been this community of hate that has truly terrorized us,' said Chartreuse Money, one of the drag queens who had been scheduled to perform Sunday.
"Money, who asked to be identified by her stage name because of safety concerns, said she was approached by a man she didn’t know in a bar in #PortlandMaine last week and was told not to attend the event because her life would be in danger. She said the encounter shook her and was a key reason she and other drag queens dropped out of the #TogetherWeRise event."It’s the first Pride celebration to be held in the town and came about in response to a contentious debate in the school district last year about whether #books with queer storylines and characters should be allowed in classrooms.
"And while the overall response has been positive, there has been pushback from a small number of people, said Kate Turpen, board president of Windham & Raymond Pride, which is organizing the event.
'There’s a lane of amazing support that I’m so grateful for, and then there’s a lane of threats and closed-mindedness,' Turpen said. 'Due to the #ClosedMindedness and use of social media with reckless abandon from some of our neighbors, we don’t have the privilege of having a drag show anymore.' But the festival will go on, Turpen said."The cancellation of the drag show is just the latest example of the negative response some communities have seen as Pride events in Maine and elsewhere have grown in popularity. Protesters showed up at an inaugural Pride event in #GorhamMaine last year and residents in #UnityMaine circulated a petition trying to ban Pride decorations on town property.
"A record amount of legislation attacking LGBTQ+ rights has advanced in recent years, according to the American Civil Liberties Union [#ACLU], and the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning of potential violence last month in advance of Pride Month activities.
"#GiaDrew, executive director of #EqualityMaine, an organization dedicated to education and outreach in support of LGBTQ+ people, said there are more than 31 Pride events scheduled in Maine in June during Pride month.
"'That’s wonderful and I think it’s a wonderful show of support for the #LGBTQ community, especially in light of some of the national pushback on our community and some of the pushback our community has faced here in Maine,' Drew said. 'But with that comes some safety considerations. We definitely know last year there were some really targeted attacks and push back and hurtful language.'
‘I NEEDED TO IMMEDIATELY GET OUT’
"Money said she was in a bar in Portland after a performance last week when a man she didn’t know approached her and asked if she was planning to perform at the upcoming Pride event in Windham. The man leaned in close and told her not to go to the event, Money said. He said he couldn’t say anything more than that there was a threat and that Money’s life would be in danger if she went.
"Not long before she left, Money said she was shaken by the exchange and noticed the man was lingering outside. She felt him stare at her from his truck before he drove off.
"'I didn’t know if he was warning me of the threat or if he was an active threat,' Money said. 'I needed to immediately get out of the bar.'
"She said she called police in Portland and Windham when she got home and the next day got in touch with the organizers of the event. She also reported the incident to the FBI.
Windham police Chief Kevin Schofield said Thursday that his department was able to identify the man who approached Money and he did not appear to have any information about a specific threat."'The statements were made in the context of there’s most likely going to be some protesters and there were some opposing comments made on social media, not in the context of any direct knowledge or inside information that someone is going to be targeted,' Schofield said.
"Schofield said police also have been made aware of 'some opposing views and comments' being made about the event on Facebook, but 'nothing we would call a direct threat to any specific individual.'
"He said police have been working with organizers for months and will be at Sunday’s event.
“Our goal is to be prepared and facilitate a safe event for all attendees,” Schofield said.
DECISION TO DROP OUT"Money said the threatening exchange along with other pushback and issues related to the event factored into the drag queens’ collective decision to call off their show. 'We decided the best way we could go forward with having Pride in Windham and being safe, was to have the performances cease and not happen anymore,' Money said.
"Money said the drag queens and organizers had a meeting on Zoom Wednesday. One performer brought up a social media post about a man saying he was planning to make shirts to impersonate event volunteers. And Money said she was concerned about some aspects of how the town of Windham responded to the event, which is being held on town property though the town was not involved in organizing it.
"She said that after some people started criticizing the event, the town asked the drag queens to sign #LiabilityWaivers saying they wouldn’t hold the town liable if they were hurt or injured during the event. Money said that seemed unusual.
"A spokesperson for the town of Windham said officials were not available Thursday afternoon to answer questions about the event, including the reason for the liability form and if it is standard, and whether the town has a position on the event.
"Turpen, the Windham & Raymond Pride president, said that what happened to Money was just one example of some of the pushback organizers have gotten. They’ve had to rethink their volunteer strategy because of the concerns about someone trying to impersonate volunteers. There have also been calls for people to speak out about the event at town council meetings, Turpen said.
'It’s disappointing to me that a vocal minority is influencing the perception of this opportunity for our residents,' Turpen said."The reaction and the decision for the drag queens to drop out of the event also has disappointed some residents and officials.
"'To have the intimidation and #bullying kind of shut down part of it, it’s just a shame,' said Jarrod Maxfield, a town councilor. 'I don’t think that should go unanswered or that we shouldn’t let the public know. I think the public should know. We want to encourage people to come despite that bullying and intimidation. The show – at least part of it – is still going to go on.'
"Drew, from EqualityMaine, said her group works with communities and organizations on event planning and how to be safe. She also encouraged people who are the target of threats or bias to reach out to police, or if they don’t feel comfortable doing so themselves, to reach out to #EqualityMaine to advocate on their behalf.
"Drew said the majority of Mainers are understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ+ but there is still work to be done.
"'I do think some of the misinformation or stereotypes or lack of familiarity is raised in some of the rhetoric we’re hearing,' she said. 'That’s definitely part of our work (to address that) ... but I do believe we’re making progress and I think most #Mainers support #LGBTQ+ people.'"
#DragShows #MainePride #Maine #BookBans #NoRoomForHateInOurState