Dear John, Good news: On Friday, the House Early Childhood/Innovation subcommittee voted to table (translate: kill) HB 2170 (Williams; EV Oppose). Equality Virginia opposed this bill because it could have let through the forcible outing of LGBTQ+ youth who choose to participate in clubs like GSAs (Gender Sexuality Alliances). We’re glad to see this bill go and thank you for speaking up against it. ACTION ALERT: This week several subcommittees will hold hearings for anti-transgender bills. We acknowledge that these bills are moving quickly, which can be overwhelming and stressful for those who are directly impacted or have loved ones who are. Please keep checking in with yourself, and take breaks as you need. We’re all in this fight together, and we appreciate your dedication to protecting transgender and nonbinary youth. On Monday, January 30, the House Higher Education subcommittee will hold a 7:00 AM hearing on HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB 1399 (March), which would prohibit transgender youth in K-12 schools from participating in sports, and higher education students from participating in club sports. If the subcommittee votes to advance these bills, they’ll be heard by the full committee at 8:30 AM. Categorically banning them from participating in sports singles out trans youth and robs them of the many opportunities athletics provide: Being on a team, connecting with their peers, and building confidence through physical activity. Later that morning, the K-12 subcommittee will hold a hearing for HB 1707 (Durant) and HB 2432 (LaRock), two bills that could forcibly out LGBTQ+ students to unsupportive parents without the students consent or knowledge. Monday is one of our last chances to share our stories and visible, and vocal opposition to these bills in the Virginia House of Delegates. We need your help to make it happen. Here are three ways you can help with the efforts to defeat these bills: - SHOW UP: We need the subcommittee members to see and hear from a wide range of Virginians who oppose these bills. Please consider showing up to provide visible opposition or in-person testimony. The hearing will begin promptly at 7:00 AM in the House Committee Room in the Pocahontas Building at 900 E. Main Street.
- TESTIFY IN OPPOSITION: You can register to provide virtual testimony or submit written comments. Register or submit your comment no later than midnight on Sunday. Use this form to register or provide written comments opposing the athlete bans. Use this form to register or provide written comments opposing the forced outing bills.
- MESSAGE YOUR DELEGATES: Send a message directly to your Virginia Delegate that you oppose these bills. Use this easy form to send a message.
On Tuesday, January 31, the Senate Health subcommittee will hold a hearing on three bills that want to ban age-appropriate gender affirming care for transgender young people. We expect the brick wall in the Virginia Senate, and this subcommittee, to defeat these bills. Send a message to your Senators and remind them that you oppose SB 791 (Chase), SB 960 (Peake), SB 1203 (Reeves). Who's My Virginia Senator? At the end of the day, this is about supporting transgender young people. Let’s show our lawmakers that transgender young people belong in Virginia. We can stop these bills, but it will take ALL of us. Thank you, Narissa S. Rahaman (she/her) Executive Director | 