"Mills will help lead our state to a stronger, more prosperous and more diverse future. LePage would try to take us backwards, sinking our state again into needless controversy, vitriol and regressive policymaking.”

In today’s Portland Press Herald, Darlene Huntress, the Chair of EqualityMaine’s Political and Government Affairs Committee, praised Governor Mills as a “strong, thoughtful and compassionate ally” of Maine’s LGBTQ+ community, citing her signing of bans on conversion therapy and the exclusion of trans people by health care companies, among many other accomplishments. Huntress also blasted former Governor Paul LePage for his anti-LGBTQ+ record, and warned that he would bring back his hateful policies if re-elected.

“Mills has a proven track record of working with Democrats, Republicans and independents for the benefit of all Maine people, and she has shown unwavering support for Maine’s LGBTQ+ community. By contrast, LePage, who is challenging Mills this election, has shown open hostility toward our community.”

Read the full op-ed here, or key points below:

Portland Press Herald: Mills has shown leadership on LGBTQ issues
By Darlene Huntress
June 22, 2022

  • Gov. Janet Mills has earned the EqualityMaine endorsement for re-election and stands in stark contrast to her opponent, former Gov. Paul LePage, as the right choice for Maine. Mills is a strong, thoughtful and compassionate ally. During her time as governor, she has delivered for Maine’s LGBTQ+ community, leading the way on important reforms and fighting for the ability of our community to live our lives openly and as our true selves. Mills has earned re-election with her steady leadership during challenging times.

  • In just four years as governor, Mills has built an impressive list of policy accomplishments. On her first day in office, Mills expanded health care to more than 70,000 Mainers, helping members of the LGBTQ community who too often have difficulty accessing appropriate and timely health care. Mills is also a staunch protector of access to abortion care.

  • The governor has also set herself apart with policies that directly affect our community. She signed into law a ban on the discredited and dangerous practice of conversion therapy. She banned health insurance providers from excluding transgender people and she restored benefits to military veterans who were discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Mills supported legislation to require private health insurance policies in Maine to expand access to fertility care and eliminated old regulations that required people, including transgender people, to publish legal notices to change their name.

  • Mills has a proven track record of working with Democrats, Republicans and independents for the benefit of all Maine people, and she has shown unwavering support for Maine’s LGBTQ+ community. By contrast, LePage, who is challenging Mills this election, has shown open hostility toward our community.

  • LePage vetoed legislation that would have banned the harmful practice of conversion therapy. He blocked the expansion of Medicaid despite overwhelming support from Maine voters, inappropriately denying health care to thousands of Maine people. LePage joined anti-transgender lawsuits in other states, abusing his authority. He even joined a Virginia lawsuit in an attempt to block a transgender student from using the appropriate restroom. LePage has also opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage, used an anti-gay slur against a Maine lawmaker, referred to people of color as “the enemy” and used crass, sexualized language to attack the State Senate president.

  • The choice in November is clear. Mills will help lead our state to a stronger, more prosperous and more diverse future. LePage would try to take us backwards, sinking our state again into needless controversy, vitriol and regressive policymaking.