My First Experience Testifying for a Bill Before the Maine State Legislature

Guest contributor Sarah McDarby shares her experience.

Editor's Note: Activate Maine is currently building education pages addressing topics just like these. We will also feature more voices and posts from the community!

I first learned of the bill, LD143, an act to expand funding for family planning, through the Planned Parenthood newsletter. I also learned from this same newsletter how easy it was to testify for a bill here in Maine. It was never something that I had thought about - testifying for a bill. But in these times when everything feels so uncertain and I feel so powerless, this felt like a way I could make a difference.

So I went to the Maine Legislature website where, indeed, if you know the bill's number, you can submit a written testimony or even sign up to testify on Zoom or in person. The most

powerful testimonies are ones that you can directly relate to. Our representatives want to know how their constituents feel, so letting them know how these proposed measures will affect everyday people is good. Be open and honest, perhaps you are sharing a perspective that they hadn't thought of before. It all counts, it's all valid and important. Testimony can be short, even just a couple sentences, but by giving the voice of truth to these harmful and seemingly nonstop attacks, it can have an incredible impact.

There are currently a whole slew of damaging anti-trans bills that are headed to the legislature on Thursday May 8th, including LD 1432 An Act to Remove Consideration of Gender Identity from the Maine Human Rights Act, and LD 380 An Act to Amend Certain Laws Regarding Gender-affirming Health Care Services, among others. If this seems like an issue you'd like to make your voice heard - follow the steps above.

Next time I'll walk you through testifying in person!