ROCKLAND — OUT Maine has received a grant from the Equity Fund of the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF) to expand and strengthen the network of Gay, Straight, and Transgender Alliance (GSTA) programs in schools across Maine.

“As queer youth discover who they are, they often face the risk of isolation or losing part of their community when they come out. The GSTA network helps youth find healthy relationships and spaces where it’s safe and celebrated to be their authentic selves,” says Cassie Cooper, School Engagement Coordinator at OUT Maine. “This grant will help me travel across Maine to provide programming and support to GSTAs, and also start new ones.”

In the 2023-2024 school year, Cooper traveled over 8,000 miles across the state to bring GSTAs and other OUT Maine programs to schools. They are looking forward to continuing the expansion of OUT Maine’s GSTA network empowered by this grant from the Equity Fund of MaineCF.