Proving once again that NONE of these anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ efforts are grassroots and all are led by billionaires with an axe to grind and an agenda to push.
Billionaires are literally one of THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS facing humanity right now. They have literally become supervillains and are so bad that we should refer to them as "Villainaires" (not my term but properly stolen).
Maine’s ballot initiative, funded by an anti-trans billionaire, to force transgender youth out of sports and police which bathrooms they can use was riddled with fearmongering and outright falsehoods from the very beginning. It is another ugly example of how far these extremists will go to target vulnerable children just to score political points.
No child should be singled out, humiliated, or treated as less human because of who they are. This campaign is rooted in division and bigotry, not fairness or safety. History will not look kindly on people who used lies and manufactured outrage to attack transgender youth simply trying to live their lives in peace.
Mike, when I see see people like Richard Uihlein so committed to such expressions of hatred, I often wonder if it doesn't come from a sense of fear that they too might be one of us. I think we saw it in some of the worst perpetrators of gay bashing, and I wonder if it isn't in play today. Your thoughts?
And a huge shout out to the three Mainers who challenged the legality of the petition in court.
Is this news story being disseminated in Maine's news media? I sure hope so because doing so would likely discredit and weaken further efforts to deprive our community of our rights.
Yes. The final decision by Shenna Bellows will likely appear in tomorrow's newspaper, but the initial finding was at the top of page 1 of the Portland Press Herald (Maine's largest newspaper) on 22 May 2026.
And, the article at the top of page 1 of today's Portland Press Herald is "IN REVERSAL, TRANSGENDER ATHLETE REFERENDUM WON’T BE ON MAINE’S BALLOT THIS FALL" The article does cover the reasons why the referendum failed. As a side note, for those who may not know, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is one of the candidates for governor of the State of Maine this year. It's a crowded primary, so we'll have to see if she moves forward or not.
Before we celebrate too loudly, consider that it is only due to ineptitude that this initiative failed. We cannot count on this sort of farce saving us in future. We got lucky. Remember, once the phony signatures were invalidated, the initiative was ONLY shy 532 signatures. Tat means that there are still a lot of people in Maine who either don't understand us, or who downright hate us for being who we are. Yes it's a victory, but let's not let our guards down.
Once the 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 phony signatures were invalidated. The whole damned thing was an astroturf job, after all- it would surprise me not at all if far more of the signatures were bogus, but not in ways that would be as immediately obvious as the surface-level fraud.
But you are absolutely right about not letting our guard down- anywhere. It only takes one poorly-timed moment of complacency to lose whole states.
Right you are Joan! We have seen just how easy it is to get an uneducated legislature to enact horrible legislation in the name of "protecting women and children".
Every time I receive a shipment and see that "u-line" brand on the bottom of the carton, it makes me angry to think that I am doing anything--intentional or not--to support these parasitic wealth-hoarders.
If they couldn't collect enough legitimate signatures to even get the measure put on the ballot, then they for 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 sure don't have enough support to actually pass it by legitimate vote. They've made it abundantly clear that they'll tamper with the process using illegal means; if they'd do it here, they would have done it come election day. If by some chance it makes a comeback, and ends up passing, don't believe the result for a second.
Now I'm wondering what other astroturfed 'direct-democracy' initiatives Big Oil is pushing and funding, and where - here in Alberta, we've nearly a dozen referendums, some of which are the result of petitions, we're to vote on this fall (usually they're quite rare) on a range of topics that right-wing folks are generally much more interested in making laws about than left-leaning or even centrist folks. (None are 2SLGBTQIA+-related; our provincial government doesn't feel a need to consult the electorate before implementing transphobic and homophobic laws.)
Proving once again that NONE of these anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ efforts are grassroots and all are led by billionaires with an axe to grind and an agenda to push.
Billionaires are literally one of THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS facing humanity right now. They have literally become supervillains and are so bad that we should refer to them as "Villainaires" (not my term but properly stolen).
As a Mainer I can tell you how good this is to hear!!!! ❤️
Maine’s ballot initiative, funded by an anti-trans billionaire, to force transgender youth out of sports and police which bathrooms they can use was riddled with fearmongering and outright falsehoods from the very beginning. It is another ugly example of how far these extremists will go to target vulnerable children just to score political points.
No child should be singled out, humiliated, or treated as less human because of who they are. This campaign is rooted in division and bigotry, not fairness or safety. History will not look kindly on people who used lies and manufactured outrage to attack transgender youth simply trying to live their lives in peace.
Mike, when I see see people like Richard Uihlein so committed to such expressions of hatred, I often wonder if it doesn't come from a sense of fear that they too might be one of us. I think we saw it in some of the worst perpetrators of gay bashing, and I wonder if it isn't in play today. Your thoughts?
I suspect you're right. They either fear they might be one of us, or they hate themselves because they are sexually obsessed with us.
I agree I’m sure many of these haters are hiding behind their hate and attacks rather then admit who they really are
Thanks for this report, Erin.
And a huge shout out to the three Mainers who challenged the legality of the petition in court.
Is this news story being disseminated in Maine's news media? I sure hope so because doing so would likely discredit and weaken further efforts to deprive our community of our rights.
Yes. The final decision by Shenna Bellows will likely appear in tomorrow's newspaper, but the initial finding was at the top of page 1 of the Portland Press Herald (Maine's largest newspaper) on 22 May 2026.
And, the article at the top of page 1 of today's Portland Press Herald is "IN REVERSAL, TRANSGENDER ATHLETE REFERENDUM WON’T BE ON MAINE’S BALLOT THIS FALL" The article does cover the reasons why the referendum failed. As a side note, for those who may not know, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is one of the candidates for governor of the State of Maine this year. It's a crowded primary, so we'll have to see if she moves forward or not.
Hi Marie,
Know that Hannah Pingree. another candidate for governor of Maine, is a strong LGBTQ ally who is friends with quite a few trans people.
Thanks, Marie!!
" billionaire anti-trans donor, Richard Uihlein"
Well there's some deep pockets to go after, RE 42 U.S.C. § 1983, 18 U.S.C. § 241, & 18 U.S.C. § 242 prosecution.
Just because it is a fairly open conspiracy against the rights of transgender people, doesn't mean it is not a conspiracy. It still is.
In other news, 'phobes are frauds. A clock right every second of every day.
Thank you Erin.
Before we celebrate too loudly, consider that it is only due to ineptitude that this initiative failed. We cannot count on this sort of farce saving us in future. We got lucky. Remember, once the phony signatures were invalidated, the initiative was ONLY shy 532 signatures. Tat means that there are still a lot of people in Maine who either don't understand us, or who downright hate us for being who we are. Yes it's a victory, but let's not let our guards down.
Once the 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 phony signatures were invalidated. The whole damned thing was an astroturf job, after all- it would surprise me not at all if far more of the signatures were bogus, but not in ways that would be as immediately obvious as the surface-level fraud.
But you are absolutely right about not letting our guard down- anywhere. It only takes one poorly-timed moment of complacency to lose whole states.
Or countries.
Right you are Joan! We have seen just how easy it is to get an uneducated legislature to enact horrible legislation in the name of "protecting women and children".
Great news
Absolutely wonderful!!!
Wonderful.
Every time I receive a shipment and see that "u-line" brand on the bottom of the carton, it makes me angry to think that I am doing anything--intentional or not--to support these parasitic wealth-hoarders.
Once upon a time, I supported Bellows in a run against Susan Collins-- a hopeless thing. She's got guts.
If they couldn't collect enough legitimate signatures to even get the measure put on the ballot, then they for 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 sure don't have enough support to actually pass it by legitimate vote. They've made it abundantly clear that they'll tamper with the process using illegal means; if they'd do it here, they would have done it come election day. If by some chance it makes a comeback, and ends up passing, don't believe the result for a second.
Good grief, that's $10 per signature!
Maine should prosecute everyone involved in the fraudulent signatures. There should be consequences for wanton fraud.
Considering the outcome, I think it's high time we volunteer to" help" in Republican signature drives☺️
I like the way you think. :->
The United States...the best anti-democracy shit-hole a GOPMAGA pedobillionaire oligarcuck can buy!
Now I'm wondering what other astroturfed 'direct-democracy' initiatives Big Oil is pushing and funding, and where - here in Alberta, we've nearly a dozen referendums, some of which are the result of petitions, we're to vote on this fall (usually they're quite rare) on a range of topics that right-wing folks are generally much more interested in making laws about than left-leaning or even centrist folks. (None are 2SLGBTQIA+-related; our provincial government doesn't feel a need to consult the electorate before implementing transphobic and homophobic laws.)