OUT Maine has submitted the following statement:

We are all reeling with the changes to our daily lives and our work during this pandemic crisis. OUT Maine, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ youth throughout the state, cancelled Rainbow Ball Weekend, the largest LGBTQ+ youth event in Maine that was set to take place in May, with 225 registrants. Youth, educators and volunteers had been looking forward to this event all year, but understood and supported OUT Maine’s decision to cancel the event for everyone’s health and safety. Cancellation of OUT Maine’s regional overnights and in-person youth groups followed.

Changes like these can be a huge blow to the LGBTQ+ youth who look forward to these events as a time to connect with supportive peers and adults. Already suffering from isolation before the pandemic, they are particularly stressed with schools closed and enforced stays at home. Home stress is skyrocketing as layoffs spread.

OUT Maine is continuing much of its youth programming online. OUT Maine staff has continued the weekly youth group via zoom and google classroom and OUT’s Youth Policy Board has switched its focus towards a project combating social isolation. OUT Maine is also welcoming the young adults selected to be Junior Counselors at its cancelled Rainbow Ball to come together online to find community with each other and to dream up ways to create community in this challenging time. OUT Maine’s staff is connecting directly with at-risk youth through phone calls and the use of social media platforms. 

OUT Maine is also compiling online curricula for Gay Straight Trans Alliance (GSTA) advisors to use virtually with their youth and will be providing an online hub for GSTA advisors to find community and learn from and with each other.

OUT Maine also had to cancel its spring in-person training for educators and providers and is now working to provide support and resources to the adults supporting LGBTQ+ youth through online groups for providers, GSTA advisors, educators and parents as well as online training opportunities. More information on these resources will be available on OUT Maine’s website www.outmaine.org as soon as available.

OUT Maine works toward a welcoming and affirming Maine for all rural young people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions and gender identities. In partnership with their allies and families, OUT Maine supports, educates and empowers these youth in their journey from adolescence to adulthood.  

To learn how you can help OUT Maine in its work to keep Maine youth supported and connected, please visit their website www.outmaine.org.