Maine becomes trans sanctuary state despite threats of violence

Despite violent threats from the religious right and MAGA extremists, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) has signed a new law that makes the state a sanctuary state for transgender people, abortion providers, and patients.

The new law provides “protections to persons who seek, health care practitioners who provide and those who assist health care practitioners in providing gender-affirming health care services and reproductive health care services” that are legal in Maine.

Related:

Despite last-minute GOP push, all anti-LGBTQ+ bills fail in Iowa legislature

Anti-LGBTQ+ bills keep failing. Could the tide be turning?

LD 227 establishes that access to such treatment is a legal right and that “interference with access to such services or the provision of such services is against the public policy of this State.”

Stay connected to your community

Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter.

Daily

Weekly

Good News

The law also protects people who seek legal healthcare and doctors who provide it in Maine from legal action originating in other states that ban or restrict such healthcare services. Doctors who provide legal healthcare services in Maine also have the right to sue for damages if they are targeted for legal action by other states.

Attorneys general in Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, and Texas have attempted to obtain detailed medical records for transgender teens, their families, and health care providers.

It explicitly enshrines the World Professional Association of Transgender Health’s Standards of Care.

The law is similar to others passed in Massachusetts and Vermont.

Conservative opponents tried to cast it as a measure that will allow widespread child trafficking, with Maine Republicans calling LD 227 the “transgender trafficking bill.”

In early March, the Maine State House and the offices of the Maine Democratic Party were evacuated after multiple bomb threats that targeted the state capitol and at least two specific lawmakers. The threats followed social media posts from anti-LGBTQ+ hate influencer Chaya Raichik’s Libs of TikTok account about LD 227 and listing the names and email addresses of the bill’s sponsors, the Maine Morning Star reported.

“We are thrilled to see LD 227, the shield bill, be signed into law by Governor Mills. Thanks to our pro-equality and pro-reproductive choice elected officials who refused to back down in the face of disinformation,” Gia Drew, executive director of EqualityMaine, said. “This bill couldn’t come into effect at a better time, as more than 40% of states across the country have either banned or attempted to block access to reproductive care, which includes abortions, as well as transgender healthcare for minors.”