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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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