John, Today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6-3 that federal employment nondiscrimination laws protect LGBTQ individuals. In the midst of the COVID-19 health crisis and the vitally important nationwide demonstrations in support of Black lives, this decision is heartening and encouraging. This is an important moment for legal equality for all LGBTQ Americans. As you know, Virginia recently became the first state in the South and the 21st state in the country to pass nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment, and public spaces for LGBTQ people. While the Virginia Values Act goes into effect in Virginia on July 1, 2020, there are still millions of LGBTQ individuals across the country who do not have statewide protections and therefore rely on Title VII to protect them from workplace discrimination. This decision is an important reminder that we still need Congress to fully protect LGBTQ people from discrimination and pass full federal non-discrimination protections. Right now, many Americans are worried about losing their livelihood for reasons beyond their control. This is especially true here in the South where the majority of LGBTQ Americans live and raise their families. The harsh reality is: many LGBTQ people face harassment and mistreatment in their daily lives, even outside of work. And, LGBTQ people of color — particularly Black transgender women — face even higher rates of discrimination and, too often, violence. Our nation, at every level, needs to address the racism that perpetuates discrimination and violence against Black people—and all people of color, including those who are LGBTQ—even when such discrimination and violence are formally prohibited by law. Even with today’s decision, Black LGBTQ people will still face disproportionate discrimination across their lives. Until our laws remedy systemic racism and inequality, and our culture catches up to those laws, our movement’s pursuit of LGBTQ equality is far from done. Today’s decision is an important step forward. It is a powerful reminder of how much work is left to do, and how critical that work remains. Onward together, - All of us at Equality Virginia | 
