 | | Dear John, Welcome to our re-launched monthly newsletter! Whether you’re new to EV or a long-time friend, we're glad you're here. It's been a busy summer for us and we have lots of updates to share with you. So, what has EV been up to? Well - a little bit of everything! We started off our summer celebrating the unprecedented wave of pro-equality laws that went into effect on July 1st, which included the historic Virginia Values Act. Our team was proud to attend the ceremonial signing of the VA Values Act, where we were joined by the bill patrons, other pro-equality legislators, and many of the advocates who helped to push this bill forward - what a way to kick off the summer. We would be lying if we said we weren't still celebrating! |
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| EV September Newsletter
In this Issue:
- Summer 2020 Recap
- Take Action: HUD Public Comment
- Spotlight: Hispanic Heritage Month
- Get OUT the Vote
- Complete your 2020 Census
- Join us for TIES
- 2021 OUTstanding VA Nominations |
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| In the past couple of months, EV welcomed two new staff members - Mario and Andaiye - as well as an MSW intern, Kyleigh. We were able to quickly introduce them to our broader EV family through our summer community engagement series, Legislative Equali-TEA. The series, which consisted of a statewide community survey, virtual town hall, and an action plan session, allowed us to connect with Virginians from all across the Commonwealth and plan out our legislative priorities for the upcoming General Assembly session. The conversations we had, and the feedback we received, left us all feeling very energized about the work ahead of us. As the hustle and bustle of summer comes to an end, and we begin to look toward fall, we're thrilled to bring this newsletter to you! Continue reading for an inside look into where we're headed next. |
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| Take Action: Protect Trans Housing The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed a new rule for federally-funded shelters that would reverse the protections established under the 2016 Equal Access Rule. We're disturbed by the proposed change because it weakens protections for transgender people experiencing homelessness by giving shelter providers the option to deny housing services based upon harmful stereotypes. There is no doubt that this would put lives in danger. We believe the government’s enforcement of the Equal Access Rule should align with the recent SCOTUS decision that sex discrimination includes sexual orientation and gender identity. We need your voice. Join us in condemning this attack against transgender people and submit a public comment to HUD by the September 22nd deadline. |
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| Spotlight: Hispanic Heritage Month |
| If you've been following us on social media, you know that EV is honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is a celebration of the diversity of Hispanic and Latinx culture that runs from September 15th through October 15th. EV is proud to celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ Hispanic and Latinx individuals, especially our very own board member, Chip Clapp. Chip recently joined the EV board and is leading conversations "to ensure that as we work toward equality for LGBTQ+ people, we're doing it as an anti-racist organization." Chip credits his mother and Puerto Rican family for instilling in him the importance of his Hispanic heritage. "I grew up with my Puerto Rican mother and despite my mother wanting to raise us as 'Americans,' there were still so many things that she did and said that were direct reflections of the island, it was impossible not to be raised in the culture." "As I became an adult and got to know my family members, I learned more about our history and our culture. When it came to the family history and cultural history, I largely learned my heritage from the older generation - my abuela and her brother - as they were able." |
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 | Chip reminds us that Hispanic Heritage Month is important because "it is a time to reflect on all of the things that Hispanic communities and cultures have in common, learning the lessons that come from the adversity our ancestors faced, and learning more about those struggles. It means celebrating Indigenous culture and West African culture. It means enjoying the unique music that developed from it all. It means eating pernil a little more than I should this month. " As an attorney, Chip says that his cultural identity helps to guide his work. "My Hispanic heritage has allowed me to help a lot of recent immigrants from Central America here in Virginia. Virginia has so many migrant workers and their needs are not being met. My Hispanic heritage has allowed me to be a voice for them." He also speaks three languages - including Spanish and French - and as a member of the TIES Inclusion Advisory Committee, Chip is helping to build a more accessible conference. "I've been proud to help with Spanish translation for this year's TIES - that's the easy part. I've also advocated for services that are desperately needed for trans immigrants." We are so grateful to have Chip on our board to "stir the pot and advocate for underrepresented communities." |
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|  | Get OUT the Vote We know that this is not a normal election year, but rest assured, you can stay safe and still cast your ballot. This year, it will be crucial that you make a plan to vote because you will have three different voting options to choose from: 1. Vote by mail
2. Vote early in-person
3. Vote on Election Day Before you make your plan, you'll first need to register to vote or verify your registration status in Virginia by the October 13th deadline. We've compiled a list of resources and helpful tools on our 2020 Election Center, including important information about Virginia's new voter ID requirements, which no longer require a photo ID. Election Day is right around the corner. Don't delay, create your voting plan today. |
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 | Join us for TIES 2020 Our 7th Annual Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit (TIES), will take place entirely online this year from October 14th through 17th. This free conference offers resources for transgender, non-binary, and allied Virginians including: workshops, social events, wellness consultations, and a legal clinic for name and gender marker changes. There are so many ways to get involved in TIES: Special thanks to Capital One for being the Presenting Sponsor for TIES 2020. Thank you to all of our donors and partners for making this conference possible. If you haven't already, register today to join us at TIES! |
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| |  | Complete Your 2020 Census For years, the LGBTQ community has historically been undercounted on the Census. However, for the first time, the 2020 Census has added specific checkboxes allowing respondents to indicate if they live with a same-gender partner or spouse. This question allows some LGBTQ couples who reside in a household together to identity themselves. While the Census doesn’t explicitly ask about sexual orientation or gender identity, this change to the Census questionnaire will allow for a better collection of data regarding LGBTQ families and households. That's why it is crucial for LGBTQ Virginians to complete the Census by the September 30th deadline. | We encourage you to submit your response today. It’ll only take a few minutes to complete, and you can choose to submit your responses online, by phone, or by mail. | | |
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 | OUTstanding Virginian Nominations Since 2009, we have recognized gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied individuals and organizations who have helped move equality forward in our state. Over the years, we have honored more than 50 OUTstanding Virginians for their courage, service, and dedication. Sadly, due to the pandemic, we were forced to cancel our 17th Annual Commonwealth Dinner and we were unable to celebrate our 2020 honorees in-person. We’re committed to making sure that next year’s Commonwealth Dinner happens, no matter what. Rain or shine, in-person or online, we will honor the 2021 OUTstanding Virginians at our Commonwealth Dinner. If you know someone who has done OUTstanding work to enhance the lives of LGBTQ Virginians, nominate them today. Deadline for nominations is November 16, 2020. |
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| | | Equality Virginia
530 E Main St Ste 600 | Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 643-4816 | [email protected] |
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