CIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL JUSTICE & EQUALITY
Here are our Calls to Action, Guides, and Explainers on issues related to civil rights, social justice, and racial, gender, LGBTQ+, and economic equality. Interested in helping us track legislation and policy on this topic at the state or federal level? Take action with us.
How to Talk About Indian-Themed Mascots
In collaboration with representatives from the Penobscot Nation, we’ve compiled the most common arguments made by those who want to keep these offensive mascots, with suggestions for ways to respond.
A GUIDE FOR TRANS ALLIES
2022 is set to be a record-breaking year for legislation targeting transgender people, with most of the more than 240 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this year targeting trans people. Learn how to cut through the bigoted anti-trans spin and be a better ally.
MAINE LEGISLATURE ROUNDUP: Read about the bills we tracked in our Legislature Wrapup!
We tracked more than 65 bills during the 130th Maine Legislature, which adjourned in the evening of May 9. QUICK ACTION: Learn more about the bills we tracked and helped pass this session!
#StandWithWabanaki: Restore Tribal Self-Governance
Legislators will hold a public hearing February 15 on a bill to restore Wabanaki tribes’ inherent right to self-govern. The Wabanaki Alliance has set a goal to gather 500 written testimonies in support of the legislation to demonstrate the strong statewide backing for the bill, and are asking allies to step up! QUICK ACTION: Be one of the 500! Learn more about the bill and how to submit testimony in our call to action!
CASE REVIEW: Kavanaugh on the Issues
Just before midnight Sept. 1, 2021, Brett Kavanaugh joined a conservative Supreme Court majority to overturn Roe v Wade in Texas. Although Sen. Susan Collins has yet to comment, we know her response cannot include claim that she didn’t know this would happen. Because in 2018, leaders of Suit Up Maine and four advocacy groups met with Maine’s senators’ judicial advisers on Kavanaugh’s record. Her senior staff included the case review we prepared in her official briefing book. Read our report on these cases and Kavanaugh’s relevant history.
WHAT’S NEW: Read SUM’s latest newsletter
Latest news: The For the People Act gets a vote in the Senate. And while other states have passed strict voter suppression laws, Maine is passing bills to make voting easier and more secure. We have more on that and a run-down of the latest legislative victories. Read SUM’s latest newsletter to get caught up on our current actions!
2020 Maine Legislature Roundup Recap
An early adjournment due to COVID-19 meant that many bills we were tracking in the second session of the 129th Maine Legislature were left on the table, eventually dying when efforts to reconvene for a special session were unsuccessful. Our Legislature Roundup will reconvene with the Legislature in January 2021, with dozens of bills to track in the coming session. For now, see what passed in 2020 and what was left behind.
BLOCK EXTREMIST & UNQUALIFIED JUDGES: No Zealots in Lifetime Positions
We’re tracking the most concerning nominees to lifetime judicial appointments, in partnership with other progressive groups. Justin Walker, a nominee to the DC Court of Appeals, opposes the ACA, unions, and civil rights and is the latest in a long line of extremist, unqualified nominees.
QUICK ACTION: Learn more about Walker’s extremist record and tell Collins and King to vote NO on his confirmation.
NO TAXPAYER-FUNDED DISCRIMINATION: Oppose proposed HHS rule
The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that would allow faith-based organizations that receive certain types of federal funding to discriminate against LGBTQ individuals, women, people of color, and non-Christians without losing taxpayer dollars.
QUICK ACTION: Submit a public comment opposing the rule by midnight THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19.
SAVE SNAP: Oppose Trump’s cuts to food assistance program
The Trump administration has issued a proposed rule change that would cut food assistance to 3.1 million people—including 44,000 Mainers—and eliminate school meals for 500,000 children. QUICK ACTION: Submit a public comment opposing the rule change by September 23 and tell your MoCs to protect vulnerable Mainers.
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
