GLSEN Downeast Maine was founded in 1997. Though they have always been a small group, they have accomplished several notable things. Among those have been a series of statewide conferences for GLBTQ youth and their allies called “Building Bridges of Respect”. Through those they have served over 1000 youth.
They have been encouraging local Gay-Straight Alliances and are coordinating communications among them. GSA get-togethers are planned with their support. They are keenly aware of the isolation and lack of support available to LGBTQ youth in the more rural areas of the state.
They have done several “safe-zone” trainings at local colleges; faculty in-service trainings at local schools; a conference for local school librarians; and another conference for school nurses, counselors, health educators and librarians. And together with GLSEN Southern Maine they have sponsored a GLSEN “Training of Trainers” event in Farmington in the spring of 2006. They intend to conduct a series of similar training events at various locations around the state during the coming years.
They have maintained close coordination with local PFLAG, Speakout, and Outright members; and with the School Civil Rights Team Project of the Attorney General’s office. Several of their members have been centrally involved as individuals in crafting legislation to reduce school bullying and youth suicide; and in the political effort to gain equal rights for GLBT citizens in Maine. Some of them are serving on the Governor’s Commission on LGBTQ Youth.