Equality Virginia [[link removed]]
Hey John — Friday’s decision by the current majority of the Supreme Court has created a license for some businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. For the first time, SCOTUS has ruled that a business offering original expressive services has the right to discriminate in violation of state laws against discrimination. This decision does not give all businesses a license to discriminate, it applies to businesses selling custom, original expressive services.

We know that amplifying attacks on LGBTQ+ people has a measurable negative impact on mental health.

LGBTQ+ affirming mental health crisis support is available through entities such as Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860), the Trevor Project (call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678), and the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564).

Our entire team at Equality Virginia is deeply disappointed in this ruling by a court whose majority is actually a loud minority. Because the truth is, the overwhelming majority of Americans support LGBTQ+ equality. 80% of Americans support expanding nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, and 65% reject allowing business to use religion as a basis for denying service.

Friday’s Supreme Court decision does not change that, John.

Our nation decided more than 50 years ago that when a business decides to open its doors to the public, that business should be open to everyone — a core principle that is at the heart of how we treat one another.

Our work to advance protections for the LGBTQ+ community couldn’t be more important. Nondiscrimination laws, like the Virginia Values Act, exist to ensure that no one is turned away because of who they are. Since the Civil Rights Movement, they’ve been strengthened and reinforced to protect many intersecting identities, and dismantling barriers for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, women, disabled people, the LGBTQ+ community, and so many others.

Equality Virginia firmly believes that no one should ever face discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity while accessing employment, housing, services, or goods. A majority of the Supreme Court fails to acknowledge the profound impact that such discriminatory practices have on the dignity and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in our commonwealth. This ruling only further fuels the false controversy and culture wars that stoke hateful rhetoric and endanger the entire LGBTQ+ community.

Over the past decade, Virginians have shown their commitment to fighting for our collective liberation. We need that continued spirit now more than ever. I'm hopeful that we can work together to build a future where we all have the safety to thrive. While we have our work cut out for us, Equality Virginia will continue to advocate relentlessly until discrimination is only referenced in our history, and not used as a guidebook to deny us an abundant future.

In solemn solidarity,

Narissa Rahaman
Executive Director, Equality Virginia



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