LGBTQ+ SupportME Network launches new website | Lewiston Sun Journal - Lewiston Sun Journal

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AUGUSTA — The LGBTQ+ SupportME Network has launched a new website to increase awareness of Maine’s LGBTQ+ youth communities. It provides educational resources, promotes allied organizations and pathways to connect LGBTQ+ youth to broader networks. It helps youth, adults and allies to feel empowered and supported.

The site features health promotion programs such as This Free Life, Sidekicks and Maine Youth Action Network that emphasize substance and tobacco use prevention as well as tools for building resiliency. Visitors will learn about crucial LGBTQ+ youth data, how it is gathered and utilized to design and implement evidence-based programs and helps to create a culturally informed prevention workforce and community.

The LGBTQ+ SupportME (lgbtqsupportme.org) site offers resources to help LGBTQ+ youth connect to virtual support groups, find a health care provider and learn about their rights as an individual and a student. Tool kits for parents, educators and health care/prevention providers are provided, as well as recommended literature. Original materials produced by the group are also available for visitors to use in their own projects.

The site is a step forward for LGBTQ+ youth in Maine, as gathering reliable data has been an uphill climb, both state and nationwide. Sexual orientation and gender identity questions were historically left out of national and state surveys, creating gaps in information. Maine added transgender identity to Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual identity questions in 2017 as part of the Maine Integrated Youth Survey (MIYHS).

During the past three years, and with support from Maine Prevention Services and local substance use youth prevention coalitions, the LGBTQ+ SupportME Network has evolved into a collaborative group of diverse public health professionals and compassionate organizations. Members meet virtually each month and welcome new members to increase inclusivity.

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area continues to serve as the home of the network and facilitates meetings as well as spearheads network initiatives. HCCA is home to Gardiner Area Thrives and the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention coalitions, the Maine Farm to Institution and Maine Farm to School Networks, as well as local projects of Let’s Go!, Tobacco Prevention, SNAP-Ed, and Youth Empowerment.

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