We believe in a Maine that’s free.
Free from billionaires meddling in our politics.
Free from politicians telling our kids who they can be.
Free from out-of-state agendas interfering with our civil rights protections.
Join the fight.
Help us oppose this measure.
Here’s what you need to know.
An out-of-state billionaire has paid out-of-state political consultants to hire out-of-state signature gatherers to attack Maine public schools and long-standing policies regarding school sports and bathrooms. This attack on public education is being propped up by one of the same billionaires who is spending millions of dollars to rig our country for the rich.
This is part of a larger attempt by right wing billionaires to buy their way into our schools and communities and insert their harmful agenda. Sports teach kids about hard work and team work. All kids deserve the opportunity to play and learn in a safe environment.
The proposed ballot question would:
open the door for harassment, bullying, and scrutiny of every student.
change civil rights and education laws to remove protections that Mainers have had and supported for over 20 years.
require every student to provide an original birth certificate to use the bathroom or play sports - creating hardship for families of all kinds of kids who don’t have those documents
impose a burden on schools to construct new facilities, cost Mainers millions and would undermine Maine law beyond participation in school sports.
invite costly litigation against schools, with taxpayers footing the bill
Our state laws must protect freedom and fairness.
About us
The Campaign for Free and Fair Schools is led by:
EqualityMaine, founded in 1984, has been foundational to protecting and advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ Mainers, including passing laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from hate crimes and discrimination, outlawing harmful practices like conversion therapy, and winning marriage equality at the 2012 ballot box in Maine. EqualityMaine has also been a key advocate for strengthening anti-harassment and anti-violence measures for Maine’s youth.
The Maine Women’s Lobby has since 1978 worked to pass laws for gender justice. Among its many legislative achievements are the passage of landmark laws to prevent domestic and sexual violence and support survivors, to expand access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, and the passage of Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave law in 2023.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD Law) has worked to establish and defend rules and laws requiring equal opportunities and equal treatment in Maine, New England and nationally since 1978. With the Maine Human Rights Commission and private counsel, GLAD Law won the landmark anti-discrimination case in 2014 ensuring that Nicole Maines, a transgender girl, was allowed to use the same facilities as other girls. GLAD Law worked with EqualityMaine, the Maine Women’s Lobby and the ACLU of Maine to win marriage equality at the ballot box in 2012, and GLAD Law successfully argued the right to marry at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015.
Let’s keep in touch.
Are you a…
Parent or caregiver?
Coach?
Athlete? Student athlete?
who is concerned about how this ballot initiative could harm kids and schools?
Email info@mainewomen.org to learn how to be a spokesperson!