Thanks for the heads up Samantha,
      This is too far out of my way, but if anyone is able to make it feel
free to let them know that this area of the state was where Maine's modern
LGBTQIA+ rights movement started.
Stugis Haskins (born in 1940) grew up in Sorrento, ME and by middle school
he knew he was gay. “Even before I entered Sumner [ Memorial High School] ,
I knew I was gay. There was no one I could talk this over with; no role
models, no books in the library, no school functionary, no one in my home,
my community, or, importantly, my high school who might have provided
comfort or support or some measure of sensitivity on a matter very,
very important
to me.”(Sturgis Haskins Papers Finding Aid, USM Special Collections, LGBTQ+
Collection,
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=lgbt_finding_aids
).
The search for community led him to form the state's first LGBTQ+ group,
Hancock County Gays, then Gay Support and Action Group in Bangor, and
eventually he was involved in the creation of the Wilde-Stein Club, a
student club at University of Maine Orono whos mission was to “create a
campus atmosphere where the Gay students can live in an open society free
from repression and discrimination”(Wilde-Stein Club Statement of Purose
(sp) document in Sturgis Haskins Papers). This year the Wilde-Stein Club is
celebrating its 50th year of existence. These groups eventually led to the
creation of the Maine Gay Symposium which helped queer Mainer's connect
with each other and eventually caused the formation of what is today
EqualityMaine.
So despite the 1990s rhetoric that LGBTQIA+ people live in cities and are
trying to push their rights out into the rest of the state, the opposite is
true. Those who felt the most isolated were the ones who started the
movement.

Best of Luck!
Megan


On Fri, Feb 3, 2023 at 6:58 AM Samantha Duckworth <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> There is another meeting coming up to review the retention of library
> materials at Mountain View School in Sullivan, Tuesday, February 7 @
> 6:30pm. This situation is a bit complicated, but the crux is that a
> librarian left her position and our contact there is hoping to find another
> librarian who is able to speak up on the issues of intellectual freedom.
> Gender Queer and Queer-The Ultimate LGBTQ Guide for Teens are on appeal
> there, and have been placed in the guidance office. It is an alarming
> situation because there are conflicting versions of what is occurring
> there, and policy is not being followed.
>
> I know it is a hard sell to drive a long distance to speak for three
> minutes, but I am sure these would be very impactful 180 seconds. Plus,
> you'll get to drive through Ellsworth without worrying about summer
> traffic! I have been told there will be a large crowd and many wanting to
> remove the titles. Voices in support of access to information are crucial
> and I know it sounds like a daunting public speech, but know that there
> will be supporters in the audience and others there to keep the meeting
> civil.
>
> As always, please let me know if you'd like talking points, more
> background, or to be connected with our contacts at RSU 24.
>
> Best regards,
> Samantha
>
>
> Samantha Duckworth LIBRARIAN
> Verrill Dana LLP
> One Portland Square
> Portland, ME 04101-4054
> T
> 207-253-4788
> C
> (207) 318-2789
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
>


-- 
Megan Mac Gregor
she/hers
Instruction and Outreach Librarian
Glickman Family Library, USM-Portland
[log in to unmask]