Dear John,

Today is officially GiveOUT Day, the only national day of giving for the LGBTQ community. We are so excited to share this day with you on the eve of Enactment Day. Tomorrow, July 1st, many of the bills we worked so hard to pass during this year's General Assembly session will officially go into effect. Since this was a historic year for LGBTQ equality, we have a lot to celebrate this GiveOUT Day:

• Virginia is the first state in the South to have nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations for LGBTQ people
• Statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors
• Health insurance companies can no longer discriminate against transgender Virginians
• A third gender marker is an option on driver’s licenses
• Hate crime laws updated to protect LGBTQ people
• Virginia’s code no longer bans same-sex marriages and unions
• And more!

We have so many fun things planned today on our Facebook and Instagram pages, so keep an eye out. You may see some familiar faces, plus you will have a chance to win great prizes!

All funds raised today help us keep up our momentum as we continue to advocate, organize, and mobilize for LGBTQ equality and racial justice in Virginia. Contributing today is extra important because additional grants will be given to the Southern states with the largest number of individual gifts. This means your donation of $10 or more can really go the distance.

But, don't just take it from us, consider the words of one of our supporters, Lilith, who said: "Equality Virginia is a tremendous advocate for LGBTQ rights, fighting on the front lines helping push protections through Virginia's legislative body, and making Virginia the first Southern state to pass laws protecting LGBTQ people. Please, consider donating and making sure that Virginia remains a state that values all of its citizens."

Tomorrow is a new day for equality in Virginia, but we know that a lot more needs to be done to ensure that all LGBTQ people, especially Black LGBTQ people, feel safe and celebrated in our state. Your support today means that we'll be prepared for the fight ahead. 

In solidarity,

Vee Lamneck
Executive Director