Dear John, If I’ve learned anything about Equality Virginia's supporters over the past nine months, it’s that you refuse to live in a Virginia where our community’s most vulnerable are constantly targeted. That’s why we keep showing up to fight for the dignity, health, and safety of LGBTQ+ Virginians and everyone harmed by dangerous and discriminatory policy.
Lately, it’s been easy to forget that there are more of us — those who believe in equity, bodily autonomy, protecting trans youth, and access to inclusive healthcare — than those who want to move Virginia backwards. When we show up strategically, thoughtfully, and bravely, we make our communities more just. That’s why Equality Virginia exists- to confront systemic inequities and to liberate the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ Virginians.
Because of you, we held the line in 2022. While states across the region signed anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law, we kept lawmakers from doing the same here in Virginia. Thousands of advocates sent emails to their lawmakers urging them to protect LGBTQ+ families, to advocate for bodily autonomy, and to center the rights of marginalized communities. With bipartisan support, we successfully defeated anti-transgender legislation. Thanks to the work of our Safe Schools Program we created a first-of-its-kind School Board Policy & Meeting Tracker, which provides community members and advocates information on anti-LGBTQ+ policy being introduced at the school level and ways to engage at school board meetings. And we continue to hold the line as Governor Youngkin weaponizes the Virginia Department of Education to target and harm trans and non-binary youth. We won’t give up.
The Virginia General Assembly session begins in just one week and already we've seen multiple bills introduced targeting transgender and nonbinary youth, their ability to participate in sports, and receive gender-affirming care. The time for action is now.
With your help, we will be ready for what comes. This year, Equality Virginia will: - Increase civic engagement across the state through power-building, leadership training for advocates, coordinated mobilization efforts, and empowering the community to build a statewide strategy for the years ahead.
- Resist discriminatory and oppressive legislation that targets queer and trans youth and bullies the future leaders of our community. We are reinforcing strong coalitions to push back; coalitions led by community members most closely impacted by the issues.
- Move inclusive policy forward instead of constantly playing defense and shift the legislature by electing more pro-LGBTQ+ candidates. We will build a groundswell of community support, help advance pro-LGBTQ+ candidates and their vision, and get them elected at every level of government.
- Build a shared agenda for equity with strategic partners to educate and mobilize a diverse and connected cadre of advocates. Our liberation is tethered to the liberation of all.
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Your support doesn't just sustain our work, but it's a commitment to defending equality in our Commonwealth. Every advocate enables us to respond, resist, and reimagine together. Thank you for believing and knowing that better is possible. With gratitude, Narissa S. Rahaman (she/her)
Executive Director |
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