John,

The freedom to marry who we love is fundamental.

When I married my husband, Robert, our right to be together was never in doubt – no matter which party was in power in Washington or in Richmond.

But for most of our nation’s history, millions of loving and committed couples faced barriers and bigotry. It was only in 1963 when two Virginians, Richard and Mildred Loving, won the fight for interracial marriage in the landmark Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia.

And it was that case which paved the way for same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges nearly 50 years later.

But that decision didn’t silence the hate that many interracial and LGBTQ+ couples face. Today, GOP extremists are only ramping up their attacks on marriage equality and the fundamental right to privacy.

I firmly believe that it’s our duty to uphold the legacy of courageous Virginians like the Lovings. And a key part of that fight is defending and expanding our pro-equality majority in the Virginia Senate and regaining the majority in our House of Delegates.

So on this Valentine’s Day, I hope you’ll join me in this fight.

With love,
Elaine