Ending Excuses for Anti-LGBTQ Violence: May 19th from 12:00-1:00pm Violence against the LGBTQ community is widespread and sadly on the rise, especially for Black and Latinx transgender and non-binary people. Too often, legal teams use the LGBTQ “panic” defense in court to excuse this violence as acceptable. This legal defense claims that someone is not culpable because their violent reaction is caused by realizing someone’s LGBTQ identity, which they perceive as threatening. Luckily, Virginia became the 13th place in the US to ban the LGBTQ “panic” defense. Join us to discuss how this defense has harmed LGBTQ people inside and outside of the courtroom, and what this ban means for Virginians moving forward. Affirming Diverse Families: May 26th from 12:00-1:00pm Virginians from all walks of life have been forming diverse families for generations, but only now have our laws caught up. This year, Virginia joined the ranks of 17 other states that allow “confirmatory” or second-parent adoption. This allows a non-biological parent to be listed as a child’s legal parent even without being married to one of the child’s biological parents. Since many LGBTQ parents may lack the automatic parental rights associated with being a biological parent, this protects their relationship with their child no matter what. It also ensures that a child can enjoy legal benefits from each of their parents. Join us to discuss why this law affirming and protecting diverse family types is so necessary and what this means for families in Virginia. Services for LGBTQ Older Adults: June 2nd from 12:00-1:00pm LGBTQ older adults face unique challenges when it comes to aging, especially in retirement or care communities where they often face discrimination. Many LGBTQ adults feel safer aging in their own homes and communities, and, to make this easier, Virginia just updated its legal code referencing the Older Americans Act to include LGBTQ older adults as a population with “greatest social need.” This will allow LGBTQ older adults to more easily access to nutrition programs, like Meals on Wheels, assistance with errands and chores, transportation, and legal aid so that they can more comfortably age in their own homes. Come learn about aging issues in the LGBTQ community and find out how this new law will help older adults thrive. Protecting Marriage Equality: June 9th from 12:00-1:00pm When it comes to marriage equality, LGBTQ couples simply want to have the love they share be equally recognized and validated under the law. The Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision effectively legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, and the Virginia General Assembly removed the ban on same-sex marriages and civil unions from Virginia’s legal code in 2020. Despite this, the Virginia Constitution still includes a ban on marriage equality which threatens the future of same-sex marriages in the Commonwealth. We need the Virginia Constitution reflect the legal code and the Supreme Court's decision to protect the right to marry for LGBTQ Virginians. Join us as we discuss marriage equality in 2021 and beyond. Updating Virginia’s HIV Laws: June 16th from 12:00-1:00pm Since the 1990s, Virginia has had laws on the books which unfairly targeted people living with HIV, exacerbated the social stigma that often accompanies an HIV diagnosis, and disproportionately impacted Black and other women of color, women who are sex workers, and women of transgender experience. In order to update these laws, several organization’s came together in coalition, including: Equality Virginia, ECHO-VA, Positive Women’s Network-USA, and Sero Project. Together, we helped to make Virginia a safer place for people living with HIV, and while we celebrate that success, we know that additional updates must be made. Come learn about the grassroots campaign that made Virginia the first southern state to modernize these laws and hear our plans for next steps. | 
