John,

Thank you for your support throughout this campaign. Last month, we were able to meet our important goal as we head into these critical summer months.

June 1 marks the start of Pride Month, and I want to take a moment to celebrate and to thank you for all the progress we have made together. We have come a long way, and it's not been easy -- but I have been proud to stand with you.

As a legislator, I backed Maine’s 2005 landmark law to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2009, shortly after being elected Maine’s first female Attorney General, I testified in favor of the historic marriage equality bill, and I then joined other Attorneys General across the country in Federal lawsuits aimed at stopping discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the Armed Forces and elsewhere.

As Governor, I continued to fight for LGBTQ+ people. I signed into law Speaker Fecteau's legislation -- vetoed by my predecessor -- banning the harmful and discredited practice of “conversion therapy” on minors. And I was proud to sign into law bills that prohibit private and public insurers from excluding coverage for trans health; that prohibit the use of the gay or trans "panic" defense as an excuse for violence; that restore state veterans benefits to those who had been discharged from the military due solely to their sexual orientation or gender identity; and that clarify and strengthen our nondiscrimination and domestic partnership laws.

My Administration was also proud to take action to provide health coverage for transition and gender-affirming care through MaineCare and to simplify the process for an adult to request a new birth certificate that properly reflects the appropriate gender marker without a court order or signature from a medical provider.

While we know that's progress, we also know it's at risk. Let’s not go back to a time when Paul LePage stood between the LGBTQ+ community and the progress you all so richly deserve.

I stand with you. My record shows it. Together, we will continue to make progress for Maine's LGBTQ+ community and ensure that Maine remains a safe and welcoming place to live.

Thank you,

Janet Mills

 

Governor Janet Mills has always fought for the people of Maine, from keeping people healthy and safe during this pandemic to putting us on the road to recovery to planning ahead for a sustainable future. Now, she's ensuring that Maine emerges from this crisis stronger than before.

DONATE

 

Paid for and authorized by Mills for Maine

PO Box 94
Augusta, ME 04332



Contributions to Mills for Maine are limited to $1,725 for each of the primary and general elections. Maine law requires Mills for Maine to collect the name, address, occupation and employer of each individual contributor of more than $10. Corporate entities may contribute under certain circumstances; please contact [email protected] for more information. No person may make a contribution in the name of another person. No individual may make contributions to candidates aggregating more than $25,000 in any calendar year. If you are a lobbyist, lobbyist associate, or employer of a lobbyist, please disregard this communication. Any funds received during the legislative session will be returned to you.

 

If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.