Delight Month is a time to have fun the progress now we have made on a extra simply, numerous and inclusive society. It’s a time to look again on the pioneers who broke new floor for freedom, love and acceptance. And it’s a time to look to the long run, put together for the work that should proceed and take a stand for what’s simply and proper.
As we sit up for November and the race for governor, the selection for Maine – and Maine’s LGBTQ group – is obvious.
Gov. Janet Mills has earned the EqualityMaine endorsement for re-election and stands in stark distinction to her opponent, former Gov. Paul LePage, as the correct selection for Maine. Mills is a robust, considerate and compassionate ally. Throughout her time as governor, she has delivered for Maine’s LGBTQ+ group, main the way in which on essential reforms and preventing for the flexibility of our group to stay our lives brazenly and as our true selves. Mills has earned re-election together with her regular management throughout difficult instances.
In simply 4 years as governor, Mills has constructed a powerful record of coverage accomplishments. On her first day in workplace, Mills expanded well being care to greater than 70,000 Mainers, serving to members of the LGBTQ group who too usually have issue accessing acceptable and well timed well being care. Mills can also be a staunch protector of entry to abortion care.
She led our state by way of the risks and financial hurt of the COVID-19 pandemic, placing her belief in science and listening to a refrain of voices from the well being care, enterprise, authorized and social justice communities. She put the well-being of Maine residents and companies first. Mills’ management in these areas has been important to each Mainer.
The governor has additionally set herself aside with insurance policies that immediately have an effect on our group. She signed into legislation a ban on the discredited and harmful observe of conversion remedy. She banned medical health insurance suppliers from excluding transgender folks and she or he restored advantages to navy veterans who had been discharged beneath the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Inform” coverage. Mills supported laws to require non-public medical health insurance insurance policies in Maine to develop entry to fertility care and eradicated outdated rules that required folks, together with transgender folks, to publish authorized notices to alter their identify.
Beneath her watch, the state has made it simpler for transgender Mainers to get identification paperwork that match their gender identification, and Mills has stood steadfast to guard transgender college students who wish to take part at school sports activities. Beneath her administration, transgender ladies can nonetheless obtain assist from homeless shelters, and the so-called “gay-panic” authorized protection – little greater than a defective justification for violence – has been eradicated from Maine’s courts.
Mills has a confirmed monitor report of working with Democrats, Republicans and independents for the good thing about all Maine folks, and she or he has proven unwavering assist for Maine’s LGBTQ+ group. Against this, LePage, who’s difficult Mills this election, has proven open hostility towards our group.
LePage vetoed laws that will have banned the dangerous observe of conversion remedy. He blocked the growth of Medicaid regardless of overwhelming assist from Maine voters, inappropriately denying well being care to hundreds of Maine folks. LePage joined anti-transgender lawsuits in different states, abusing his authority. He even joined a Virginia lawsuit in an try to dam a transgender pupil from utilizing the suitable restroom.
LePage has additionally opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage, used an anti-gay slur towards a Maine lawmaker, referred to folks of coloration as “the enemy” and used crass, sexualized language to assault the State Senate president.
The selection in November is obvious. Mills will assist lead our state to a stronger, extra affluent and extra numerous future. LePage would attempt to take us backwards, sinking our state once more into useless controversy, vitriol and regressive policymaking.
As we have fun Delight Month and all that has been achieved, we all know our progress is tentative and in danger. Mills is your best option for Maine.
— Particular to the Press Herald
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