16 Comments
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Brianna Amore's avatar

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).

Phin's avatar

As a Mainer I can tell you how good this is to hear!!!! ❤️

Mike Gelt's avatar

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.

Joanne's avatar

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?

Mike Gelt's avatar

I agree I’m sure many of these haters are hiding behind their hate and attacks rather then admit who they really are

Letters From a Trans-American's avatar

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.

Marie Véronique Emonds's avatar

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.

Talia Perkins's avatar

" 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.

Anne's avatar

Wonderful.

William Flug's avatar

Absolutely wonderful!!!

janinsanfran's avatar

Once upon a time, I supported Bellows in a run against Susan Collins-- a hopeless thing. She's got guts.

Joanne's avatar

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.

Jaimie Hileman's avatar

The United States...the best anti-democracy shit-hole a GOPMAGA pedobillionaire oligarcuck can buy!

Mom's avatar

Thanks? For the info