Maine Resources

Note: In order not to inadvertently "out" anyone, I am not providing last names or contact info of founders unless specifically given permission, or if this information is already publicly available online. If founders or members of any of these organizations want to edit or add to their listing, please email us. Also, if there are any active Maine transgender-focused organizations out there that I have missed, please let me know!

 

Be sure to also check out our Big List O' Books for helpful trans resources in print form!

 

In no particular order:

 

YankeeBoyz: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YankeeBoyz/

Founder: PJ Mears

 

From the group's website: "Founded in 1999, Yankee Boyz is a social support group in Maine for female born - masculine/male/man identified people. This discussion list was created to allow for community building between monthly meetings. Transitioning is not a prerequisite. We welcome female or interesex born-masculine identified people who feel that woman and/or female are not good descriptors of who they are. SOFFA's - significant others, friends, families and allies warmly welcomed as well."

YankeeBoyz is a open and friendly group, hosting the most active transgender-related online message board in Maine--it had 49 members as of 9/29/08, and has averaged about 36 messages per month from Jan-Aug 2008. They hold monthly meetings in Lewiston. Visit the yahoo group website for contact info.

 

Trans Youth Equality Foundation http://www.transyouthequality.org/

Founder: Susan Maasch (contact@transyouthequality.org)

 


"The Trans Youth Equality Foundation provides education, advocacy and support for transgender and gender non-conforming children and youth and their families."

"Our mission is to share information about the unique needs of this community, partnering with families, educators and service providers to help foster a healthy, caring, and safe environment for all transgender children."

 

 

MEGRESS (Maine Gender Resource and Support Service)

Founder: Jean Vermette (megress@gwi.net) 

 

Run by Maine's matriarch of transgender advocacy, MEGRESS has provided a range of helpful services over the years. Jean currently serves as a resource for professionals working with the trans community. She is also creator of the FAN (Family Affairs Newsletter), a biweekly newsletter containing social activity info for the LGBTI community of Maine. If an event is worth going to, it'll be in the FAN!

 

TRANS_PORT_ME: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TRANS_PORT_ME/?yguid=336666002

Founder: Gail (g_g_moreau@yahoo.com)

 

From the group's website: "This is a Trans-support group located in Portland, Maine for people who identify transgender. Both M2F and F2M are welcome."

 

This group has hosted monthly meetings in the past, but is currently an online-only group. The activity on the message board appears to ebb and flow, averaging about 13 messages per month from Jan-Aug 2008. There are 43 members registered in this group (as of 9/29/08).

 

Trans Care Collaborative http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TransCareCollaborative/

 

"Mission: To improve the medical and mental health care available to the transgender and gender-diverse population in Maine. To foster a network of medical care, mental health and other support services treating the transgender and gender-diverse community in Maine. To advocate for the needs of transgender and gender-diverse individuals."

 

This is a Portland-based group for health professionals only. They meet monthly to discuss trans-related healthcare, peer supoort, case discussions, and occasionally offer events that raise awareness about trans issues.

 

For more information, contact Branden Parker, MSW (t_boi_blue@yahoo.com) or Wayne Bachner, LCSW (BACHNW@mmc.org, 207-662-4872)

PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

 

Maine has a few chapters of PFLAG around the state. Parents of transgender persons are welcome to attend meetings. I'm waiting to get updated contact info...stay tuned. Their national website contains a section with information specific to "the health and wellbeing of transgender persons," which can be found here.

 

Don't forget about:

MaineTransNet: www.mainetransnet.org

 

If you're coming directly to this page from somewhere else, be sure to check out our entire website!

 

Aside from our website, we have a yahoo group that contains our database of trans-friendly/knowledgeable therapists in Maine, and a Facebook page. The yahoo group and Facebook page also offer the chance to interact with other trans Mainuhs! (For those without an appreciation of our regional dialect, "Mainuh" or the variation "Maine-ah" = "a resident of Maine."), and it is through these sites that we post information and updates about meeting and activity locations, dates, and times.

 

 

There are a few other Maine organizations listed in various nooks and crannies of the internet that I have tried to contact but have been unsuccessful or could not find contact information. I am assuming that they are no longer active. These include:

 

All Maine Transgender (AMT) - Brewer, ME

Outreach Institute of Gender Studies - Augusta, ME

Transsupport - Portland, ME

(c)Maine Transgender Network, Inc., 2011

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