Last week, I had the honor of documenting a moment years in the making: the groundbreaking ceremony for Equality Commons, a new affordable housing project led by the Equality Community Center (ECC) in Portland, Maine.

This wasn’t just another assignment—it was a milestone for a community I care deeply about. Equality Commons will create 54 new units of affordable housing in the heart of Portland, specifically intended to support LGBTQ+ people, asylum seekers, and other underserved community members. As someone who’s spent years behind the lens capturing moments of love, protest, resilience, and joy, this one felt particularly full-circle.

As speakers took the podium, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of what this groundbreaking represents. For many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who have experienced housing insecurity, this project is a beacon. It acknowledges the systemic gaps and actively works to close them.

As someone who previously served on the board of the ECC, the team did ask that I join in on the team group photo, I feel honored and proud to have played a tiny part in this important work.

After the groundbreaking, we headed inside to toast and celebrate all that has been accomplished in the Equality Community Center. Chris O'Connor, the Executive Director of the ECC, shared with attendees the history of the space and the movement up to that point. Not going to lie, I was moved, and I was not alone. 

In the above photograph featuring Barb Wood, Dale McCormick, and Frank Brooks—stalwarts of the LGBTQ+ movement in Maine—I am profoundly reminded of the depth and resilience of our community's history. Barb Wood's pioneering spirit led her to become one of the founding members of the Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance (now EqualityMaine) in 1984, following the tragic murder of Charlie Howard. Her dedication paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights in our state. Dale McCormick's trailblazing journey as the first openly gay member of the Maine State Legislature, coupled with her role as the inaugural president of the same alliance, showcases her unwavering commitment to equality. Frank Brooks' extensive work as a social worker and educator has been instrumental in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and integrating inclusive practices within social work education. Standing alongside these luminaries, I am deeply inspired and grateful to be part of a community enriched by their relentless pursuit of justice and equality.​

Being behind the camera at events like this reminds me why I do this work. These are the moments where change becomes tangible—where policy and planning meet hope and community. Through my lens, I get to preserve the emotion and energy of that transformation.

I’ll be watching closely as Equality Commons rises from the ground up—and I’ll be cheering it on every step of the way. Portland deserves spaces like this. We all do.

To learn more about the Equality Community Center and their work, or to support the project, visit eccmaine.org/housing.

And to view the full gallery of images from the groundbreaking, head over to my photo gallery here.