Today’s the day: As of July 1, the Virginia Values Act is in effect and LGBTQ Virginians are now fully protected from discrimination.

This journey has been long—but we’re focused on how we finished. Decades worth of work has finally paid off, and now we can again pause to celebrate. 

But you know, John, our work is not finished yet. 

Virginia is only the 21st state to pass comprehensive LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections, and the recent Supreme Court decision only bars anti-LGBTQ employment discrimination.

LGBTQ people in 29 states remain not fully protected, leaning on a patchwork of laws, vulnerable to discrimination in housing, education, and public places, like restaurants and stores. And we know this discrimination effects our Black, indigenous and POC neighbors disproportionately, making closing these gaps all the more urgent.

We have a chance to build on Virginia’s momentum to pass nondiscrimination protections nationwide, and we want you to join. 

Sign up to stay involved with this movement through the VA Values Coalition’s partners: Equality Virginia, Freedom for All Americans, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Transgender Equality. 

Those 29 states and Congress must act NOW to pass comprehensive statewide and federal nondiscrimination protections. You've stepped up for Virginia many times before, can we count on you to step up again—this time for the entire country?

Thank you,

Vee Lamneck
Executive Director, Equality Virginia