Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
As you contemplate moving to a new place, you’re likely to ponder how the locals will embrace your authentic self if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a crucial and reasonable concern to have, given that we still live in a world where acceptance isn’t always a given.
To help queer folx who are considering moving to Gay Maine, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Maine and whether Maine embraces our community. We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Maine, and LGBT community organizations in Maine that you should be aware of!
Are you thinking of moving to Maine? There’s no doubt that New England can make an excellent home for you. The region has some beautiful places where the LGBT community has felt welcome and thrived for years – and in places like Portland, there are more rainbow flags than we could count!
Whether it’s the region’s quaint little towns or beautiful seaside properties, Maine has something for everyone. While there are large swaths of inclusivity in the state, the truth is that not all of it is LGBT-friendly. Some city streets all over the state are lined with hateful political rhetoric, yet most of them are as friendly as you would expect.
Naturally, everyone moving to a new state would like to know what living there would be like. It gets even a little more personal for those who identify as LGBTQ+. As a typical rule, the more urban spots or towns of the coast are as liberal and gay-friendly as you would expect from New England, but inland towns and rural areas seem to have a higher abundance of Trump signs.
It is important to know whether the state has ordinances that protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination and hate, whether there’s a vibrant LGBT community that can offer you the sense of belonging you deserve, and whether there are activities in the state that LGBT people can enjoy.
While all this is vital, you don’t have to struggle to get all the information you need. We’ve put together a guide that will help you know what it’s like to live in Maine as a queer person, so read on and enjoy!
To reduce the stress of your relocation, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Maine early in the process to help you find your new perfect home there. They will have up-to-the-minute information on the best cities and areas for LGBT people and be able to match your needs to a neighborhood most suited to you.
You can just start with a no-obligation conversation, and if you decide to continue with your move to Maine – they will not only have your best interests at heart but also ensure you are treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire process.
In this article we will cover...
Highlights Of Moving To Gay Maine
It’s hard not to get enthusiastic about the unique and tempting proposition that moving to Maine presents – especially once you get chatting with residents and long-time locals in the know about all their state’s hidden gems and best-kept secrets. After all, this is why many chose to live here.
Once you move here, you should quickly befriend locals, let them ‘spill the tea’ and then spend your free time discovering the best sights, food, nature and culture Maine has to offer. On top of this, thanks to an offbeat yet deeply engaged LGBT community – which congregates at a few fabulous queer hot spots – securing a relocation to Maine should allow you to meet local queer people with similar interests.
We are certain locals will have many more to add, but to get you excited, here are just a few highlights to look forward to as you become Maine’s newest denizen.
Gay Weddings
Maine is home to a vibrant and growing gay wedding industry. Currently, there are more than 450 businesses in the state that have serviced 10,000+ weddings; a good number were same-sex weddings.
As we mentioned earlier, there are pockets of intolerance all over the state, but with more and more LGBT people moving here, the populations are bound to grow and ensure the state is welcoming and accepting of more LGBTQ+ people.
Maine supports marriage equality and is known as the first state in the country to pass marriage equality through the popular vote.
Thriving Restaurant Scene
There’s no reason why you should move to a state that will not offer you a culinary adventure. After all, food is life! The restaurant scene in Maine is as diverse as they come, and some of the most acclaimed restaurants are located in Portland. The city has a dense restaurant scene with dishes ranging from seafood to local cuisine.
The city is also home to maple syrup, blueberries, and apples. Moving to Maine will offer you an excellent chance to broaden your culinary experience as you try out some amazing restaurants. Whether it’s world-class restaurants, snacks, or walk-up meals, Maines will offer your taste buds exactly what they need.
Some of the coastal communities in the state have lobster rolls, which are part of the local delicacies, so if you truly want to enjoy the food culture that the state offers, ensure you don’t limit yourself to sit-down restaurants.
Maine Is Safe
It is particularly important for anyone in the LGBTQ to feel safe wherever they choose to live. Maine, generally, is pretty safe and crime levels in cities such as Portland have incredibly low crime levels, which makes them an excellent choice for those looking to start and raise families.
LGBTQ+ Rights In The USA
The laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have altered considerably over time in the United States and vary from state to state. In many ways, LGBT rights are some of the best in the world – but the devil is in the detail, and some places are much more hostile to queer life than others.
While same-sex marriage has been legal in every state since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on June 26, 2015 (before Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage was legal in 36 states and Washington, D.C. ), LGBT people are still treated differently in different states – both societally and as inequality under the law.
Over half of all states still allow discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, while counties and cities within states often have distinct laws as well. While some states permit adoption by all couples, others forbid it for all unmarried couples.
This is all to say what most of us already know is that LGBT rights and equality differ greatly across the USA, and the specifics of family, marriage and anti-discrimination laws are different in every state.
Thus, while it is comforting to know that you can choose to marry whoever you love across the USA (and have it recognized as such) and are protected against hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity (which can be punished under Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009), there are still many questions you will likely have about moving to Maine and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Maine Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
The Maine Human Rights Act forbids discrimination against transgender people in employment, housing, credit, education, and public accommodations. Through years of effort, EqualityMaine is happy to have spearheaded the consortium that successfully upheld this law in the 2005 election.
Despite legal challenges, the legislature twice reaffirmed this statute following intense advocacy on its behalf by EqualityMaine, many transgender groups, and affiliated organizations.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Maine offers a form that allows you to change the gender on your driver’s license. Maine has much to offer. It’s a relatively favorable business environment, so those in the LGBT community can start their own businesses.
Its schools are quite good, and anyone with an LGBTQ+ family would be happy to experience it. Maine is a beautiful state for same-sex couples. The history of Maine contributes to some of its appeal to the LGBTQ+ community.
In the past, the state drew many gay writers and artists from New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago to scenic, but sparsely populated, portions of the coast. Gay people were able to evade persecution in remote areas.
There was a heavy presence of drag performances and same-sex couples, as depicted in early 20th-century photographs of a summer settlement on Bailey Island. One of the most prominent gay writers of his era, Preston wrote weekly letters that were published in gay magazines all over America and promoted the state as a viable haven for lesbians and gays.
Maine’s image as a desirable location for gays to dwell was influenced by the popularity of his “Letters From Maine,” which were broadcast in Boston, Minneapolis, Miami, and many other places.
Preston also founded an AIDS organization, which organized the first gay rights march, and went on to publish 42 books. Preston also changed Maine’s image as a hostile location for gay people to one that is inviting and cordial.
Is Maine An Expensive State To Move To
Maine is one of New England’s least expensive states, despite having a higher cost of living than the country’s average. The state can be a great option for you if you adore little coastal communities but can’t afford Connecticut or Massachusetts.
Check out the summary of the cost of living in Maine to assist you in determining whether moving here is the best financial choice for you:
Housing. Maine has a rather high cost of living, but the cost of housing is fairly reasonable. Homes in Maine sell for about $236,000 on average, which is much less than the country median. Nevertheless, depending on where you choose to live, housing costs can differ significantly.
Utilities. The state ranks 10th in the country when it comes to utilities, thanks to the lengthy, chilly winters. Expect to pay around $464 per month, which is higher than the country median.
Food. If you’re single, estimate your grocery budget to be around $4,110, which is much higher than the country’s median. Maine residents spend around $2,930 on dining out per year, making their total annual food costs around $7,040.
Transportation. In general, owning a car in the state is affordable. With an annual premium of just $860, Maine has the lowest cost of auto insurance. The state’s $2,100 automobile sales tax is also below the national average. Gas and car property tax costs about $1,232 and $917 per year, respectively. The average annual cost of car maintenance and repairs is $353.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Maine
Wherever you live, it is essential that you support LGBT organizations in any way you can so that they can keep reaching out to and assisting other, more vulnerable members of the community. After all, we are stronger when we work together, and each of us will likely have a time in our lives when we require a little extra support.
Thankfully, Maine has a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, which has helped the state become more gay-friendly in recent years.
As a result, there are a variety of LGBT resources available to community members, their allies, friends, and families – and you ought to feel free to utilize them or consider giving your support as needed to keep your new home state moving forwards! They are also great places to meet new people and find your queer chosen family in Gay Maine.
Health Equity Alliance is a non-profit organization that offers direct assistance and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, drug users, and HIV-positive people in the state. The team at the organization supports and directly assists queer people all around Maine. They provide safer sex products, including lubes and condoms, as well as STI, HIV, and Hepatitis C prevention services.
They have organizers that provide underserved groups, including gay and bi men, trans individuals, and drug users, with free, discreet testing services. For professionals and members of the community who want to learn more about the health inequalities facing the LGBTQ+ Community, they offer training all across Maine.
MaineTransNet is an organization run by and for transgender people. In addition to offering peer support groups, community and social events, and advocacy for the transgender community throughout Maine, they also teach mental health, medical, and social service practitioners about transgender cultural competency.
They organize and build communities for everyone’s liberation with transgender persons and their allies throughout Maine. The organization’s work is motivated by a strong desire to look out for each other, which motivates the team to concentrate on creating networks of assistance built on a foundation of openness, inclusivity, and accessibility.
They believe that the mechanisms of oppression and power are interconnected and that the best people to lead are those who deal with these realities every day.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Maine
In Maine, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Maine, you should be cognizant that there are a few cities and gaybourhoods that are nearer to the queer hubs of life. Knowing them will allow you to pull your U-Haul up to your new house in a gay-friendly neighborhood or town that is best suited to your needs.
If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise queer person seeking a welcoming neighborhood with facilities you’ll cherish, start with these top gay and gay-friendly Maine cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Maine’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Maine… and just because it does not make our list doesn’t necessarily make it a bad option.
We recommend speaking to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today. Now, let’s take a look at where these fabulously gay-friendly cities in Maine are and why you might want to consider them!
Portland
The largest city in Maine is Portland. The city hosts the 10 Days of Pride Festival, which is the biggest and most well-attended LGBT festival in the state, in addition to having a sizable and diverse crowd. The festival features family-friendly activities, a food court with restaurant kiosks and food trucks, vendors, a beer garden, and so much more from the city’s LGBT-friendly organizations and businesses.
Portland is where Maine College of Art is located and is also home to the state’s greatest ethnic diversity. You will fall in love with the city because it’s so charming. Portland’s street art is fantastic! Every turn you take will offer you a new masterpiece to explore. One of the city’s best aspects is the art scene, as it is such an artistic and creatively oriented city.
The city is also quite gay-friendly wherever you choose to live. There doesn’t appear to be a difference between queer and straight people in Portland, as evidenced by attempts to start a regular gay takeover of the straight clubs in the city. None of the regulars at these locations have so far raised any concerns.
If you choose to live here, you will enjoy the best, including small-town charm, incredible local cuisine, amazing beer, history, adorable shops, architecture, and much more. and I could go on and on. The majority of the shops in this quaint community are unique to Maine, which is its best feature.
Orgunquit
The city of Ogunquit has been a popular travel destination for LGBTQ+ individuals for a very long time. It is home to a sizable number of LGBT-owned and -operated restaurants, hotels, taverns, motels, pubs, and stores. The city is highly accepting of LGBT individuals due to two factors. Firstly, the Ogunquit is an artistic community ever since the founding of the Ogunquit Summer School of Drawing and Painting.
Secondly, the slightly more than 1,700 year-round residents are joined by 20,000 visitors from around the world during the summer, and the locals are used to accepting differences. Ogunquit comes with a vibrant summertime bar and beach scene.
Surprisingly, it is also as active during the winter. In contrast to some of the states’ resort towns, Ogunquit has a large number of gay-owned and run establishments. Many years ago, the city was a sleepy fishing community. Then, artists who were lured to the expansive stretches of white beach, calm waters, and picture-perfect rocky coves began to settle here.
The Ogunquit Playhouse, supposedly one of the finest summer stock theaters in the country, and the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which honors modern U.S. artists, are amongst the town’s most revered institutions.
Brunswick
There are many small college towns located in the state. However, Brunswick, which is home to Bowdoin College, maybe the friendliest for the LGBT community. The majority of people here have some sort of affiliation with Bowdoin College, which also houses the Bowdoin Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity.
The Center’s goal is to inform the university and community about gender identity and sexuality. It was established to actively serve Bowdoin’s LGBTQ+ and heterosexual populations. Additionally, Brunswick has been known to generally be a friendly and welcoming town.
Pride parades in the city offer space for closeted queer people to openly express their sexuality. These events have played a crucial role in changing how the public views the LGBT community. The shift in emphasis from the nighttime to the daytime aspects of living in queer neighborhoods, from cafes, bookstores, bars, and clubs, has helped some who oppose LGBT rights change their minds.
If you are so inclined, gay cruising is rather popular in Brunswick and is a novel way for you to meet new people or have fun in unexpected ways.
Finding Gay Realtors In Maine
When looking for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are several reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Maine is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when it relates to one of life’s most significant transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often describe feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.
Everyone deserves a pleasant, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, and this is why we feel you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in finding your future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be familiar with the diverse communities in their area and know which ones may be best suited to you when looking for a home.
That’s not to say a heterosexual realtor isn’t capable, but they’ve probably never had to address many of the issues LGBT people face.
Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors conduct extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to locate professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Maine, and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.
You no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Maine to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradespeople, and more.
Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then choose the one who is right for you. It’s critical that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exciting occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
