Queerly ME’s Mission

Queerly ME fosters strong support networks and strengthens community belonging for LGBTQIA+ adults in Maine by creating and increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility, resource accessibility, and community building outdoors.

Queerly ME’s Three Initiatives

Queerly ME’s three initiatives of LGBTQIA+ visibility, resource accessibility, and community building outdoors are vital in fostering spaces where individuals can form meaningful, long-lasting support networks and community connections while feeling supported and empowered to engage in nature as their authentic selves.

Our photo-documentary primarily meets our visibility initiative by documenting a moment in the lives of LGBTQIA+ people in Maine. Each featured person has a story to share with our community. These photos and stories get shared to our website as well as on our social media where the featured person and community members have the opportunity to connect with each other in the comments which deepens feelings of community belonging regardless of geographic distance.

Our directory of resources primarily meets our resource accessibility initiative. The directory is by and for LGBTQIA+ people in Maine; each featured person is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Our directory categorizes resources into Wellness, Business, Performers & Writers, Creators, and Social Clubs; 113 resources are featured as of January 2025.

Our outdoor programming primarily meets our community building initiative and falls into four activity categories: walks and hikes, educational workshops and activities, overnight retreats, and socials. We offer 2-3 programs per month across Maine’s 16 counties with a focus on rural and underserved regions.

Queerly ME’s Values

The power of being able to access the resources you need to thrive is unparalleled. We serve the LGBTQIA+ community statewide, prioritizing our programming in rural areas and small towns in Maine. We offer several resource tools online such as our directory of resources by and for LGBTQIA+ people and our photo-documentary where LGBTQIA+ people can form connections and bonds regardless of location.

Accessibility

We forge community connection in everything we do by aligning LGBTQIA+ people with similar interests in environments where long-lasting connection is encouraged and nurtured.

Community

Representation

Queerly ME supports the representation of LGBTQIA+ people in leadership and specialized roles in all of our programming, as well as every day LGBTQIA+ people, living their lives openly.

Land Stewardship

Our actions toward the land have a direct effect on justice and equity, public health, and climate change. We acknowledge that while we organize on this land, it is ultimately the unceded homeland of the Wabanaki Confederacy, and that we must give back through community service while support the communities and organizations that continue to fight for climate justice and land back initiatives.

Intersectionality

We acknowledge the significant experiences and unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people who exist within multiple marginalized communities. Representation and support of these communities is vital in our work.