“To know that someone cares, it just makes my day!”
Calais 8th Grader
We are a multi-generational, open, affirming community coalition.
We are listeners & colleagues.
We work on creative projects that support authentic voice in circle.
We meet year round and invite you to get involved.
“This is like my heaven. I need this in my life!”
Washington Academy Student
What’s New
We are so pleased to announce that we have hired Lisa K. S. Simpson as our new Program Facilitator! Check out Lisa’s bio below, and give her a warm welcome!
Lisa K. S. Simpson (she/her) is the Program Facilitator with the Downeast Rainbow Alliance. Lisa is part Kānaka Maoli and her graduate research in literary history examines how people use storytelling to build identity and community while under imperial control and heavy censorship. Previously, she spent over a decade in financial management, where she advocated for equitable application processes and fees for gay and trans families applying for life and health insurance.
Lisa has supported nonprofit community-building efforts since 2004. She served on the Board of Directors as Chair of the Development Committee at Eastport Art Center from 2021-2022, and currently serves on the international Board of Directors of the American Association of Australasian Literary Studies as a Junior Member, and in Downeast Maine as an officer on the Boards of Eastport Gallery and Pembroke Historical Society.
Lisa is passionate about creating safe and joyful spaces for queer people and connecting queer youth with the networks and resources that can help them pursue their goals, particularly in higher education. She lives in Downeast Maine with her spouse and pets.
Board game night is back! Join us Thursday, October 29th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Mahoney’s Gaming Emporium in Machias. Bring one of your games or play one of ours! We will also provide pizza and pay for any drinks purchased from Mahoney’s. FREE and open to all ages.
Want to know what’s in the pipeline for DRA? Join our mailing list to get our monthly newsletter!
Every contribution goes directly to programs that affirm the powerful presence of LGBTQ+ community in Passamaquoddy Homeland/Washington County.
Year-Round Work
THE TRAVELING RAINBOW PROJECT
The Traveling Rainbow Project works to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ Teens in Passamaquoddy Homeland/Eastern Maine. We do this by improving Allyship community wide, as well as providing direct support to teens. Close to 30% of Maine High School Students identify as LGBTQ+ or Questioning; these teens are 3-4 times as likely to consider suicide as their heterosexual identifying peers. The Traveling Rainbow Project looks to address this public health crisis by supporting administrations, teens and organizations in stepping up to the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ Support Systems in a Rural Community. Also we are grant funded and do this at no cost to our clients.
Sunday, June 27th
DOWNEAST PRIDE 2027
“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light a candle that can guide us through the darkness to a safe and sure future. For the world is changing. The old era is ending. The old ways will not do.” -John F. Kennedy, Jr.
Follow us on Instagram! @downeast_rainbow
Downeast Rainbow Alliance is fiscally sponsored by the Nonprofit Organization for Philanthropic Initiatives, a program of NOPI INC, a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81-5089505. Learn more at https://thenopi.org.
