Dear John, We are in the final week of 2020, and what a year it has been! Through it all, your unwavering support and commitment to equality has been a beacon of light as we’ve navigated through this year together. You made it possible for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Virginians -- from the Eastern Shore to the Shenandoah Valley and beyond -- feel safer and more at home here in our Commonwealth. Together, we made history in 2020. This past year, we: - Repealed the ban on same-sex marriages and unions from Virginia’s legal code to reflect marriage equality
- Protected LGBTQ youth by banning the harmful practice of conversion therapy on minors by licensed professionals
- Improved the quality of life for transgender Virginians by modernizing the update process for identity documents and allowing a non-binary gender marker on state-issued licenses and IDs
- Created inclusive schools for LGBTQ youth by requiring the Department of Education to develop statewide guidance to protect transgender and non-binary students in K-12 schools
- Built safer communities by updating Virginia’s hate crimes law to protect LGBTQ people and allowing local cities and counties to pass their own nondiscrimination ordinances
- Outlawed discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing, and public spaces, while also adding nondiscrimination protections to 70 different places in Virginia’s Code
Because of you, LGBTQ Virginians and their families now live in the first state in the South with nondiscrimination protections. None of this would have been possible without you. As we look to 2021, we know that LGBTQ people, especially those with multiple marginalized identities, still worry about safety and accessibility when it comes to healthcare, social services, starting a family, or simply walking down the street. While we have come a remarkably long way, there is much more to be done to ensure that all LGBTQ Virginians are celebrated members of their communities. That is why we hope you will make a year-end gift to Equality Virginia. Your support allows us to organize our community and educate our lawmakers so that the voices of LGBTQ Virginians and allies are heard loud and clear. We truly cannot do this work without you! | |
Help us carry the momentum from this historic year into 2021. Together, we can continue to make a real difference in the lives of LGBTQ Virginians. With gratitude,
Vee Lamneck
Executive Director | |
