Hey John, it’s Narissa with Equality Virginia. 

Today is Give OUT Day — the largest national day of giving for LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations, just like ours! I want to chat with you about the importance of this day and our work, then will you pitch in $10 or more today to help us hit our $15,000 goal?

Since 1989, Equality Virginia has been the leading LGBTQ+ statewide organization dedicated to protecting and advancing equality for every Virginian.

Over the past 34 years, we’ve made leaps and bounds for LGBTQ+ Virginians and in 2020 and 2021, we made enormous strides in advancing protections for the LGBTQ+ community across Virginia, by passing the Virginia Values Act and making Virgina the FIRST state in the South to expand non-discrimination protections to the entire LGBTQ+ community. 

Our work is more important today than it ever has been before, John. Right-wing, anti-equality candidates have launched an unprecedented attack on the rights of trans and non-binary people, and Virginia was no exception. Thanks to the support of our broad coalition of LGBTQ+ community members and their families, our advocates and our allies, we were able to defeat ALL TWELVE transphobic bills that were introduced this session. 

Last year we raised over $10,000 toward our work fighting for trans and non-binary youth in schools. This year we’ve set our goals even higher, and we’re hoping to raise $15,000 to fund our LGBTQ+ Advocacy Days in 2024. 

Will you make a tax-deductible contribution right now to support our critical work advancing protections for LGBTQ+ Virginians year-round? Contributions made between 12p and 1p ET today could help us win up to an additional $1,000 to support our work.

With your help, we can win additional resources that will be pivotal in our strategy to protect trans and non-binary youth in schools and fight back against anti-equality legislation that continues to create barriers of oppression for thousands of Virginians. By supporting our LGBTQ+ Advocacy Days, Equality Virginia can provide LGBTQ+ Virginians and their allies the opportunity to travel to Richmond, build their advocacy skills, and meet with lawmakers to discuss legislation that’s impacting their daily lives.

Any contribution made today of $10 or more will help push us even closer to the top and closer to protecting our progress in Virginia, John. Can we count on you to pitch in right now to help us advance equality across Virginia?

Thank you, John.

Narissa Rahaman

Executive Director, Equality Virginia