Friends,

Now that Memorial Day has passed, we have officially entered summer, and I know that we all look forward to summer months that may bring us opportunities to visit family and friends again. I hope you and your family had a restful, rejuvenating Memorial Day weekend. I had the opportunity to join Memorial Day events in Richmond and Chesterfield, honoring the profound sacrifice of our military members. The touching tributes reminded us all of the precious freedoms that we enjoy in this country and of the debt we owe to our military and their families.

In this week’s newsletter, we celebrate Pride Month, offer reflections on the anniversary of a tragedy, and look ahead to next week’s Democratic primary and the Fall’s statewide elections.

Celebrating Pride Month
Happy Pride Month! Every year, June is a time to celebrate and uplift the lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, nonbinary, and queer people in our communities and around the world. It’s a time to look back to the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969, led by lesbian and trans women of color, and reflect on how far we’ve come in the fight for equality.

Make no mistake: We still have much work to do, particularly when it comes to protecting transgender people in our schools, communities, and workplaces. It’s important to look back at the last 50 years of progress, not to pat ourselves on the back, but to reaffirm our commitment to the right of every person to love whom they love, and live completely in tune with their own identity.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their identity, or just would like someone to talk to, these resources are a great place to start: the Pride of Rural Virginia; this list of resources put together by GLAAD; and the CDC’s compilation of resources for LGBT youth.

Reflecting on the anniversary of a tragedy
This past Monday marked two years since one of our darkest days as a Commonwealth, when a man walked into a city building in Virginia Beach and murdered twelve innocent people. It was a wrenching day for many in our community, and we will continue to hold the lives and memories of those lost in our hearts.

We cannot shy away from what this despicable act, and so many others since, have shown us again and again: We must pass comprehensive, nationwide gun safety legislation. Every day that we do not is another day closer to the next tragedy. The pain and trauma of gun violence has to end.

Next week: Virginia primaries
The Democratic primaries for the statewide candidates (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General), as well as primaries for our House of Delegate races, are less than one week away. Have you cast your ballot or made your plan to vote yet?

To find your polling location, go to iwillvote.com. Early voting is already underway, and you can cast your ballot between now and Saturday, June 5. The final day to cast your ballot is Tuesday, June 8.

Every vote matters — this is your opportunity to help define Virginia’s future.

Contacting our office
As always, if you need assistance, or if you want to schedule a Zoom or phone call with our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected].

— Ghazala Hashmi