PORTLAND, Maine - An organization that works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender and questioning individuals in Maine has received a $99,000 grant facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to build connections with an LGBTQ organization in Portland's sister city, Archangel.
EqualityMaine Executive Director Elise Johansen says people are very excited about the project, but they also know it's a sensitive subject "because of what we've seen in the news this past year, almost two years, in Russia against LGBTQ people, and with their most recent anti-propaganda law."
Johansen says among the goals of the project is to maintain communications with people in Russia's LGBTQ community, to convene professionals to discuss and document best practices, and to provide information and training about organizing and leadership development to young cohort members in both countries.
Tom Porter contributed to this story.
