National Center for Transgender Equality Action Fund

 
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John,

 
We have great news in these hard times. Governor Ralph Northam in
Virginia heard our calls, and he took a tremendous step forward in the
fight to ensure LGBTQ people are protected against discrimination in
employment, housing, and public spaces by signing into law the
Virginia Values Act (SB 868).

Virginia has now become the first state in the South to pass
comprehensive LGBTQ non-discrimination protections and the 21st state
in the country. As part of the Virginia Values Coalition, NCTE has
been working closely with Equality Virginia and other groups across
the commonwealth to secure these fundamental protections.

This isn't the only good news. During the 2020 legislative
session, more than a dozen bills protecting transgender people in
Virginia passed, and many have already been signed into law by
Governor Northam.

* HB 1429 prohibits health insurance companies from discriminating
against trans Virginians. Once signed, Virginia will join 13
states, D.C., and Puerto Rico in banning health insurance
discrimination against transgender people.
* SB 161 and HB 145 are companion bills that ensure public schools
provide an equal learning environment to trans students.
* HB 1049 adds LGBTQ non-discrimination protections across many
areas of law in the Virginia Code.
* HB 696 allows localities to pass their own non-discrimination
ordinances.
* SB 246 allows Virginians to select a third gender marker option
on DMV licenses and IDs. Once signed, Virginia will join 17
states and D.C. in offering a third gender marker option on
state IDs.
* SB 657 and HB 1041 make it easier to obtain a birth certificate
that matches one's identity. It will eliminate the
requirement for a court order or proof of medical procedure in
order to update one's gender marker. It will also allow
for a new birth certificate to be issued, rather than an amended
one showing old information.
* HB 19 will allow voters to cast a ballot without showing an ID
containing a photo. This important update will increase access
to the polls for those who have had difficulty accessing a photo
ID. This bill is also particularly important to trans voters,
who may be nervous casting a ballot due to their appearance not
matching the photo on their ID.

While there is so much more work to be done to achieve equality for
trans people, we must take a moment and celebrate these major wins.
The hard work done by so many in our community will fuel our fight for
whatever comes next, and we hope you will stand by our side as we
navigate what is yet to come.

In Solidarity,


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     Mara Keisling
     NCTE Action Fund 
     Executive Director 



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