Maine's Judiciary Committee voted down House Bill 1735, a shield law for transgender people fleeing other anti-trans state laws, after the cosponsor asked for his own bill not to pass.
It’s not just Dems, it’s politicians generally. Once upon a time they ran to serve the people/community, now it’s all about getting re-elected and pandering to whoever gives them the most money. It’s a job . . . a job they don’t want to give up.
I can't express how disappointed I am. I live in Maine and have trans people in my family and circle that I love and that is why this is the only Substack that I actually pay to read. I am 65 and just "retired" (who knows) from 10.5 years of being a therapist for people with HIV. Maybe my age and general state of in-betweenness plus a house renovation going on are why I was not on the ball for this issue. I was so happy to read last week (here) that Maine did have a sanctuary bill going in and I had planned to contact my state legislators to express support. Meanwhile, here it is about a week later and it's already all over. The anti-trans trolls beat everyone to the punch including our sometimes dunder-headed and too conservative Democratic representatives. I can't thank Erin enough for covering all this legislation and keeping us up to date. I will try to react more quickly when a bill like this comes up again.
I think it’s human nature that we mainly contact representatives to tell them not to do something and assume that if they’re planning to do something good, it will happen. Maybe it’s not too late to put pressure on them.
You're so right. I was lulled into a false sense of security because our state is generally in the right place on LGBTQ+ issues and we have Democratic control right now. I have been to legislative committee meetings before, however, and I know how they can rapidly veer off-track based on who's testifying.
If they’re that willing to listen to feedback, maybe they will also listen to the trans people and families impacted by their decision. I wrote Matt Moonen.
Thank you, It is a wake up call. I'll be thanking my current Dem Reps in Virginia for what they do for us and following requests for action from my activist groups. It requires all of us to work for "all of us". Ally.
Is this a sign that Dems are deciding to throw us under the bus? Between this and the NH “bipartisan” anti-trans bill, it’s looking like the Dems are fine feeding us to the wolves
I honestly cannot think of many dems who have decisively stood up for us that weren't trans or had a trans family member. They just do what they believe will get them re-elected.
Typical Democratic cowering. Once again Dems do what is convenient, not what is right. Sorry, but I don't believe the Dem Party is a friend of the transgender community.
I'm literally shaking with rage. The fucking democrats??!. Maine votes: find people to primary them. Vote them out. All of them. None of those who lack the spine to govern in a way that is moral and ethical should be allowed to representing the Maine voters who recognize that we deserve the same rights as everyone else and to exist without persecution. I know it's probably too late to primary this year but do folks know any more progressive folks in the districts of the dems on that commitee that might challenge those cowards? Vote them out. Show them that they are on the wrong side of history and that voting against the rights of trans people will hurt them politically
This is horribly disappointing. Maine has never seemed to me to be in the same league as the highly protective “deep blue” states wrt trans legislation, and this outcome just proves that to me. I wonder, though, how much longer it will be before Democratic legislators begin selling out trans people in other blue states? This outcome is also a lesson 1) not to take anything for granted in this type of political climate, and 2) anti-trans activists have no stopping point whatsoever.
Despite the proclaimed moral support of the President, Democrats are showing they can't and won't protect the trans community. We are a tiny minority enduring relentless assault in every legal venue in the land at the hands of a wealthy, powerful, well-connected hate group that proudly affirms its aspiration to completely eliminate us. What are we to do when the legal system and all authority turns together to attack our community?
Welp, I guess Maine is getting crossed off my list of "places to move to to be safe"
Honestly, when I hear about democrats buckling on trans issues, I'm not surprised but I am chilled to the bone. It scares the fuck out of me, because it feels like nobody actually cares, not even the people who say they do. Is there anywhere safe? Why do we have to keep asking that question? Why won't anyone listen to us?
It's a concerted effort, headed by mainstream media and corporations that own politicians. They aren't asking us anything and allow the GOP to control the narratives of trans people. Cisgender heterosexual politicians have no clue what we're about because people aren't able to get past their front-line gatekeepers to relay things to them.
Unfortunately more than half of our community is too afraid to come out. I can’t blame them because I lived like that for decades. Our opposition does not use logic or facts.
See the major problem is that people like us can't play the game by those rules, because it's stacked against us. Violence of the majority against the minority is seen as fine, but if we do it, it undermines credibility and allows them to demonize and dehumanize us further. Still, repeatedly showing our humanity is falling on increasingly deaf ears.
That’s a good point. I think it does work but only after a number of us are killed, like in the Civil Rights movement. One thing I thought of is how about our movement combines with pro-Palestine? Or a different one, but basically one where there are more people.
If they won't help now, what is the loss to "alienation?" If the answer is, as it always is, that "You'll wind up getting someone worse," the comeback is "That means you are aware that your failure of support on this is a threat to your ability to remain in office. Is that what you want?"
I don't know. There may yet be ways to communicate our frustration and disappointment without alienating the committee members. It depends what "harassment" actually means, but if it comes across as hostility, no action at all may be more effective than a counter-productive action.
Why would you vote against your trans sanctuary bill? By doing that, you are emboldening online transphobic bullies and starting a precedent of weakness among Democratic legislators. If you back down once, they will do it again AND they will be re-energized in their attacks on all states that are supportive of trans rights.
This is a terrifying time for trans families. We’re considering tanking our entire savings to flee from a red state to somewhere safe, maybe Maine. You undermining the safety of the blue states at this point harms us more than the continual legislative attacks in our red state.
Also you should take your home address off your webpage:
That's what we're up against. The people are divided, as are the politicians. The Republicans have become insurrectionists. And the Dems don't have the backbone to stand up to them. In any case, most of them in both parties choose to openly ignore the people --and international law-- in favor of their rich paymasters. We are going to have to stand against them in the streets, either before the election or after.
It is ironic for me. As an Anarchist, I always considered myself an insurrectionist. But since the right took over the insurrection business, I find myself on the opposite side of the line. I do support a general strike though, preferably global.
As infuriating as this is, I'm sadly not surprised having witnessed in my 72 years a long tradition of liberals--including a significant number within the more conservative lesbian and gay community-- throwing trans folks under the bus when the going gets a little rough. Support for our cause outside our own community seems always to be tenuous. Which is another reason we need always to be proactive in fighting for our rights.
I’m so sorry to read this. I was excited to see that Maine was considering such a progressive and life-saving bill. Trying to remain hopeful for Maine. In the meantime NY is a nearby haven💜
Unless you have family connections, what good does being on the Canadian border do? Canada has its own very strict requirements for immigration, and an asylum claim is unlikely to work. In some places, making a claim for asylum can land you in a de facto internment camp.
Well, resources help. For sure. For readers who come across this reply: Here is some info on immigrating to Canada as well as seeking refuge from discrimination.
“Oh no republicans are lying and being mean to me online, time to fold and give them exactly what they want”
Sigh. I hope they revisit this immediately
These right-wing anti-trans grifters are seeing this result and expanding their strategy now. They are now turning to New York today.
I'm in NY - Can you be more specific? I'll call my reps/speaker/leaders/gov...right now!
https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1750901355773075952?s=20
Thanks
I figure if the right wingers don’t like what we’re doing then we must be doing the correct thing
I pulled out of x months ago but it’s so tempting to join again to comment on that nasty post 🤬
Ikr but it’s not like facts matter to them bleh
I’ll reach out to my reps as well, that seems more productive
Thank you - will call my reps in support!
NY? Oh no *scurries off to research*
https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1750901355773075952?s=20
Dems are so spineless. Wtf 😒
It’s not just Dems, it’s politicians generally. Once upon a time they ran to serve the people/community, now it’s all about getting re-elected and pandering to whoever gives them the most money. It’s a job . . . a job they don’t want to give up.
I can't express how disappointed I am. I live in Maine and have trans people in my family and circle that I love and that is why this is the only Substack that I actually pay to read. I am 65 and just "retired" (who knows) from 10.5 years of being a therapist for people with HIV. Maybe my age and general state of in-betweenness plus a house renovation going on are why I was not on the ball for this issue. I was so happy to read last week (here) that Maine did have a sanctuary bill going in and I had planned to contact my state legislators to express support. Meanwhile, here it is about a week later and it's already all over. The anti-trans trolls beat everyone to the punch including our sometimes dunder-headed and too conservative Democratic representatives. I can't thank Erin enough for covering all this legislation and keeping us up to date. I will try to react more quickly when a bill like this comes up again.
I think it’s human nature that we mainly contact representatives to tell them not to do something and assume that if they’re planning to do something good, it will happen. Maybe it’s not too late to put pressure on them.
You're so right. I was lulled into a false sense of security because our state is generally in the right place on LGBTQ+ issues and we have Democratic control right now. I have been to legislative committee meetings before, however, and I know how they can rapidly veer off-track based on who's testifying.
If they’re that willing to listen to feedback, maybe they will also listen to the trans people and families impacted by their decision. I wrote Matt Moonen.
Thank you, It is a wake up call. I'll be thanking my current Dem Reps in Virginia for what they do for us and following requests for action from my activist groups. It requires all of us to work for "all of us". Ally.
Is this a sign that Dems are deciding to throw us under the bus? Between this and the NH “bipartisan” anti-trans bill, it’s looking like the Dems are fine feeding us to the wolves
I honestly cannot think of many dems who have decisively stood up for us that weren't trans or had a trans family member. They just do what they believe will get them re-elected.
Dems will always do what is expedient and easy, supporting us has a political cost....
Typical Democratic cowering. Once again Dems do what is convenient, not what is right. Sorry, but I don't believe the Dem Party is a friend of the transgender community.
I'm literally shaking with rage. The fucking democrats??!. Maine votes: find people to primary them. Vote them out. All of them. None of those who lack the spine to govern in a way that is moral and ethical should be allowed to representing the Maine voters who recognize that we deserve the same rights as everyone else and to exist without persecution. I know it's probably too late to primary this year but do folks know any more progressive folks in the districts of the dems on that commitee that might challenge those cowards? Vote them out. Show them that they are on the wrong side of history and that voting against the rights of trans people will hurt them politically
Cowards
This is horribly disappointing. Maine has never seemed to me to be in the same league as the highly protective “deep blue” states wrt trans legislation, and this outcome just proves that to me. I wonder, though, how much longer it will be before Democratic legislators begin selling out trans people in other blue states? This outcome is also a lesson 1) not to take anything for granted in this type of political climate, and 2) anti-trans activists have no stopping point whatsoever.
Despite the proclaimed moral support of the President, Democrats are showing they can't and won't protect the trans community. We are a tiny minority enduring relentless assault in every legal venue in the land at the hands of a wealthy, powerful, well-connected hate group that proudly affirms its aspiration to completely eliminate us. What are we to do when the legal system and all authority turns together to attack our community?
Welp, I guess Maine is getting crossed off my list of "places to move to to be safe"
Honestly, when I hear about democrats buckling on trans issues, I'm not surprised but I am chilled to the bone. It scares the fuck out of me, because it feels like nobody actually cares, not even the people who say they do. Is there anywhere safe? Why do we have to keep asking that question? Why won't anyone listen to us?
It's a concerted effort, headed by mainstream media and corporations that own politicians. They aren't asking us anything and allow the GOP to control the narratives of trans people. Cisgender heterosexual politicians have no clue what we're about because people aren't able to get past their front-line gatekeepers to relay things to them.
Where’s our relentless social media campaign?
Unfortunately more than half of our community is too afraid to come out. I can’t blame them because I lived like that for decades. Our opposition does not use logic or facts.
I think a social media campaign needs to make EqualityMaine reply to this. They have not issued a statement.
I feel like we need to harass people like the Maine democrats. Give us the orders. We can play that game, too.
See the major problem is that people like us can't play the game by those rules, because it's stacked against us. Violence of the majority against the minority is seen as fine, but if we do it, it undermines credibility and allows them to demonize and dehumanize us further. Still, repeatedly showing our humanity is falling on increasingly deaf ears.
That’s a good point. I think it does work but only after a number of us are killed, like in the Civil Rights movement. One thing I thought of is how about our movement combines with pro-Palestine? Or a different one, but basically one where there are more people.
If they won't help us now, what will they do after we alienate them?
If they won't help now, what is the loss to "alienation?" If the answer is, as it always is, that "You'll wind up getting someone worse," the comeback is "That means you are aware that your failure of support on this is a threat to your ability to remain in office. Is that what you want?"
I don't know. There may yet be ways to communicate our frustration and disappointment without alienating the committee members. It depends what "harassment" actually means, but if it comes across as hostility, no action at all may be more effective than a counter-productive action.
Exactly!
Dear Matt Moonen,
Why would you vote against your trans sanctuary bill? By doing that, you are emboldening online transphobic bullies and starting a precedent of weakness among Democratic legislators. If you back down once, they will do it again AND they will be re-energized in their attacks on all states that are supportive of trans rights.
This is a terrifying time for trans families. We’re considering tanking our entire savings to flee from a red state to somewhere safe, maybe Maine. You undermining the safety of the blue states at this point harms us more than the continual legislative attacks in our red state.
Also you should take your home address off your webpage:
https://legislature.maine.gov/housedems/moonen/index.html
Sure, anyone can find it but don’t make it so easy for them.
because Matt is lazy and entitled.
That's what we're up against. The people are divided, as are the politicians. The Republicans have become insurrectionists. And the Dems don't have the backbone to stand up to them. In any case, most of them in both parties choose to openly ignore the people --and international law-- in favor of their rich paymasters. We are going to have to stand against them in the streets, either before the election or after.
It is ironic for me. As an Anarchist, I always considered myself an insurrectionist. But since the right took over the insurrection business, I find myself on the opposite side of the line. I do support a general strike though, preferably global.
As infuriating as this is, I'm sadly not surprised having witnessed in my 72 years a long tradition of liberals--including a significant number within the more conservative lesbian and gay community-- throwing trans folks under the bus when the going gets a little rough. Support for our cause outside our own community seems always to be tenuous. Which is another reason we need always to be proactive in fighting for our rights.
With allies like the feckless Democrats, we're in the hands of Neville Chamberlain
I’m so sorry to read this. I was excited to see that Maine was considering such a progressive and life-saving bill. Trying to remain hopeful for Maine. In the meantime NY is a nearby haven💜
But Maine is on the Canadian border. Hint, Hint!
Unless you have family connections, what good does being on the Canadian border do? Canada has its own very strict requirements for immigration, and an asylum claim is unlikely to work. In some places, making a claim for asylum can land you in a de facto internment camp.
Well, resources help. For sure. For readers who come across this reply: Here is some info on immigrating to Canada as well as seeking refuge from discrimination.
https://ok2bme.ca/resources/outside-of-canada/canadas-laws/
Thanks for the Canada info! As mom to a transgender teen, I'm scared to death for him.