Narissa, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

March 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM

Spring into action with Equality Virginia!

Here’s what you need to know before we close out March  John,  Spring is here! Warmer temperatures! Blooming flowers! Post-legislative session accountability!  Here’s what you need to know before we close out March. Governor Youngkin has been busy not prioritizing the safety & dignity of LGBTQIA…

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  JaiVyn · info@equalityvirginia.org

March 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM

Top Secret Birthday Mission! ( Don't Tell Narissa )

  Hey John ! Okay, so Narissa, our Executive Director, does know it's her birthday this week, and she is aware of a fundraising goal. But what she doesn't know is that I've commandeered the Equality Virginia email to give her a little extra birthday love! Think of me as a rogue a…

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  [Equality Virginia] Kyleigh Hynes · info@equalityvirginia.org

March 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Take Action on HB 2769!

Urge Governor Youngkin to protect healthcare access in Virginia Urge Governor Youngkin to Protect Healthcare Access in Virginia  John,  The 2025 General Assembly session wrapped up on February 22nd, and we’ve been in the Governor’s Action window since then. After each legislative session ends, the G…

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  [Equality Virginia] Kyleigh Hynes · info@equalityvirginia.org

March 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM

OPPOSE Anti-Trans Changes in Passport Application Documents

Take action to push back on anti-trans federal policy OPPOSE Anti-Trans Changes in Passport Application Documents  John,  As I’m sure you’re aware, President Trump issued Executive Order 14168 on his first day in office, seeking to establish restrictive, harmful policy and ideology around trans iden…

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  Bryan, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

March 4, 2025 at 2:54 PM

Join Our Board – Help Secure Equality Virginia’s Future!

Seeking Passionate Leaders for Equality Virginia’s Board   John,  This year, Equality Virginia launched our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, built from deep community engagement and a commitment to our vision to achieve lived equality for LGBTQIA+ Virginians. Our plan focuses on building LGBTQIA+ community…

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  JaiVyn, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

February 24, 2025 at 7:40 PM

Black History & Futures Month: An Intersection Less Traveled

During Black History and Futures Month, I've been powerfully reminded of something vital  John,  Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by.” For me, that less traveled road is the intersection of being Black and transgender. Every day, I stand at that…

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  Narissa, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

February 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM

All the things we know (and the things we don't)

One step today, another tomorrow John,  This might be one of the longer Equality Virginia emails you receive. Perhaps that's fitting since January felt like it lasted 9 weeks. But hey. Look at you. Look at US. We made it to February and we are in this together.  There are a lot of updates. So bear w…

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  Narissa Rahaman, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

January 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM

Staying Grounded in the Face of Uncertainty

As we all prepare for the week ahead, I know many LGBTQIA+ communities are worried about what might come. “We must learn that passively to accept an unjust system is to cooperate with that system, and thereby to become a participant in its evil.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.  John,  As we head into the…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

January 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM

Week One Update from the General Assembly!

Email your Delegate and Senator to oppose anti-LGBTQIA+ bills January 13-17 Update! Friend,  The Virginia General Assembly is underway and the first full week is shaping up to be a busy one! Our goals this year are simple: Protect LGBTQIA+ Virginians from harmful state and federal policies.Inform an…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

December 31, 2024 at 9:07 PM

Help fuel the LGBTQIA+ movement in Virginia!

Make a tax-deductible gift before midnight! Today is the last chance Hi John,  Today is the final day of our end-of-year campaign! In the next 4 years, the frontlines of LGBTQIA+ rights will be at the state level, where legislative battles will directly impact the lives of our community.  Your suppo…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

December 20, 2024 at 6:55 PM

Post-Election Guidance for Virginia’s LGBTQIA+ Communities

We still have the opportunity to make progress and improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ Virginians. Hi John,  As our communities navigate the landscape following the 2024 election, we know that many are seeking guidance in an uncertain landscape and ways to engage in the work that is ahead. We don’t have a…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

December 17, 2024 at 8:31 PM

Help Us Build Infrastructures of Resistance

Hi John! Your gift will go twice as far! Thanks to a generous $5,000 matching gift, every dollar you donate will be doubled to support Equality Virginia’s critical work—donate today to make an even bigger impact! John   As we close out 2024, we face a critical moment in our fight for LGBTQIA+ equal…

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  Kyleigh Hynes · kyleigh@equalityvirginia.org

November 27, 2024 at 6:01 PM

Get Ready for Pride at the Capitol 2025!

Sign up today for one of our LGBTQ+ Lobby DaysSign up today for one of our LGBTQ+ Lobby Days!Dear John, I hope you are doing as well as can be. I want to acknowledge that the results of the election are hitting incredibly hard for all of us and our loved ones right now, and will continue to. This ou…

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  Ariana at Equality Virginia · programs@equalityvirginia.org

November 25, 2024 at 7:47 PM

Celebrating the success of TIES 2024!

Check out highlights from this year’s TIES summit Equality Virginia's Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit November 16, 2024 Hi John,  We’re filled with joy and gratitude as we reflect on the incredible success of TIES 2024! The event brought together over 400 attendees from across all…

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  Narissa @ Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

November 8, 2024 at 10:23 PM

We've got this. We've got us.

In times like this, hope is both a feeling and a choice.     If you are experiencing complex emotions around the presidential election results, you are not alone. LGBTQ+ affirming mental health crisis support is available through entities such as Trans Lifeline (877-565-…

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  Narissa Rahaman · info@equalityvirginia.org

November 6, 2024 at 12:03 AM

No matter the outcome-- we've got us

Patience is key on election night.     If you are experiencing complex emotions around incoming presidential election results, you are not alone. LGBTQ+ affirming mental health support is available through entities such as Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860), the Trevor Proje…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

November 5, 2024 at 12:38 AM

Tomorrow is Election Day!

-more about voting tomorrowDear John Tomorrow is Election Day! In less than 12 hours, polling locations will open across Virginia.   Listen, I get it. This election season has been stressful. It's easy to want to sit out and watch it go by without you. But the past few weeks i've been repeating one …

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  Equality Virginia · dinner@equalityvirginia.org

October 6, 2024 at 4:03 PM

Cheers to 10 Years of Marriage Equality in Virginia!

Hi John! It's time to push for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the freedom to marry for all Virginians.Dear John Today is the ten-year anniversary of marriage equality in Virginia.  For most of our country’s history, same-sex marriage was impossible. For much of the start of the 21st century…

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  Narissa @ Equality Virginia · dinner@equalityvirginia.org

October 5, 2024 at 2:25 PM

Care Collective of SWVA and Tonight's Commonwealth Dinner!

Hi John! Are you ready to support Equality Virginia's largest fundraiser?Dear John, Central Appalachia, which includes Southwest Virginia (SWVA), has been devastated by Hurricane Helene.  A coalition of grassroots organizations and mutual aids have banded together to tackle disaster relief in the ar…

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  Kyleigh Hynes, Equality Virginia · kyleigh@equalityvirginia.org

September 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM

So, what’s the deal with School Boards?

Read our School Board 101 resource here!Read our School Board 101 resource here! Dear John, Is that the first crisp leaf of the season that I just saw? As summer transitions into fall here in Virginia and school is well underway, we want to share a little about school boards - how they work, what th…

See More from Kyleigh Hynes, Equality Virginia

  Kyleigh Hynes, Equality Virginia · kyleigh@equalityvirginia.org

September 25, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Celebrating our Safe Schools Partners

This work only happens when we do it together!This work only happens when we do it together! Dear John, As you likely already know, Equality Virginia has been hard at work implementing our Safe Schools campaign over the past few years, striving to ensure that all K-12 LGBTQ+ youth have access to saf…

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  Kyleigh Hynes, Equality Virginia · kyleigh@equalityvirginia.org

September 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM

Happy Back-to-School, Virginia!

Here’s a refresh on what policies LGBTQ+ students need to succeed Here’s a refresh on what policies LGBTQ+ students need to succeed!Dear John, Happy Back-to-School season! As students of all ages have headed back into the classroom over the last few weeks, it’s as important as ever to highlight the …

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  Ariana at Equality Virginia · programs@equalityvirginia.org

September 17, 2024 at 7:35 PM

Exciting updates about TIES 2024!

Announcing the debut of Youth TIES and sneak peek to November!  Dear John,  We are moving and shaking to build stronger community bonds to make the Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit (TIES) an unforgettable event!  Check out the latest announcements for EV's Fall Season of Programs.  Y…

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  Narissa @ Equality Virginia · dinner@equalityvirginia.org

September 3, 2024 at 6:11 PM

Early Bird Ends This Week! Grab your Commonwealth Dinner tix before it's too late!

Hi John! Are you ready for Virginia's largest LGBTQ+ black-tie event?Dear John, A reminder that Early Bird ticket sales for the 2024 Commonwealth Dinner will end on September 10th! This year’s LGBTQ+ black tie gala, presented by Altria, will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the historic M…

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  Narissa @ Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

August 30, 2024 at 7:29 PM

An update about Equality Virginia's strategic planning process

Starting in June, we began a collaborative six-month planning process   John, Just like that, August has slipped away into a moment in time. But before we fully welcome September, I thought i'd take a few minutes to update you on our strategic planning. Starting in June, we bega…

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  Ariana Hamidi, Equality Virginia · programs@equalityvirginia.org

August 29, 2024 at 5:38 PM

Join Us at TIES 2024: Volunteer and Resource Showcase Opportunities!

Demonstrate your commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community!Dear Friend,  As you have likely heard, Equality Virginia’s Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit (TIES) is BACK! For the first time since 2019, our community will gather in person in Richmond…

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  Ariana at Equality Virginia · programs@equalityvirginia.org

August 27, 2024 at 6:31 PM

Our Voices as a Catalyst for Change

An update on our Transformation Storytellers Program! Dear John,  As we welcome cooler weather, Equality Virginia has welcomed 30 trans and gender-expansive storytellers to our Transformation Storytellers program! In July, we completed a 4-week workshop series, “Storytelling as Leadership,” where tw…

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  Ali Woodworth, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

August 12, 2024 at 6:15 PM

🎸 Rock Out with the Indigo Girls & Melissa Etheridge! Enter Our Ticket Raffle! 🎶

Enter our raffle for a chance to rock out with these legends and support Equality Virginia Enter For A Chance To Win! Hey there, music lovers!It’s Ali Woodworth, Vice Chair of Equality Virginia’s Board of Directors!I've got some electrifying news! 🎉 My wife and I were all set to rock out with the In…

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  Kyleigh Hynes, Equality Virginia · kyleigh@equalityvirginia.org

July 30, 2024 at 7:55 PM

Introducing Loud & Proud Summer 2024

Connect with your lawmakers this summer! Connect with your lawmakers this summer!Dear John, Equality Virginia is launching a brand-new summertime advocacy program - Loud & Proud Summer! Since our state lawmakers began submitting bills for the 2025 General Assembly session as early as July 15th,…

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  Narissa @ Equality Virginia · dinner@equalityvirginia.org

July 15, 2024 at 7:59 PM

Save The Date! Tickets now on sale for Equality Virginia's Commonwealth Dinner!

Hi John! Are you ready for Virginia's largest LGBTQ+ black-tie event? Dear John, We’re thrilled to gather again in celebration for the 2024 Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner, Virginia’s largest black tie LGBTQ+ celebration of its kind! At this year’s event, we will share the story of how our co…

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  Narissa @ Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

June 30, 2024 at 9:44 PM

As Pride month winds down, our work continues!

Three things you can do on the last day of Pride “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” - Marsha P. Johnson Dear John, As Pride Month comes to a close, we at Equality Virginia want you to know that we are so grateful for all the ways our community showed up to support and care f…

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  Ariana at Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

June 18, 2024 at 6:41 PM

Be a Champion for Change: Sponsorship & Support Opportunities for TIES

Equality Virginia can't make this happen without your help! Dear John ,  I hope you and your loved ones are savoring the slower rhythms of summer. As we strive to sustain and expand our crucial justice work, Equality Virginia invites you to consider how you can provide enduring support to the trans…

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  Kyleigh Hynes, Equality Virginia · kyleigh@equalityvirginia.org

June 11, 2024 at 8:13 PM

Your lawmakers need to hear from YOU this summer!

No need to wait for January! Take action today No need to wait for January! Take action todayDear John, Happy Pride Month! Sending best wishes for joy, rest, and fruitful community organizing and action during the next few weeks and beyond. Speaking of action, I want to share with you an opportunit…

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  Ariana at Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

June 5, 2024 at 5:36 PM

Meet the TIES Equitable Empowerment Planning Committee

Get to know the leaders who are helping TIES return in 2024! Dear John, As Equality Virginia gears up for the 2024 Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit (TIES), I am proud to introduce you to the remarkable individuals who make up our Equitable Empowerment Planning Committee (EEPC). This de…

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  Staff & Board, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

May 30, 2024 at 2:45 PM

Help us meet our goal!

Today is the last day of GiveOUT Day!   John, Today is GiveOUT Day.  Equality Virginia has a big goal: $10,000 to keep building a Virginia that ensures safety for all, not just some. Will you help us meet our goal before midnight?  When you donate to Equality Virginia on GiveOUT…

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  Kyleigh at Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

May 29, 2024 at 12:52 PM

Now Launching: Legislative Scorecard and Lobby Day Impact Report

Celebrate our collective wins and hold your lawmakers accountable!   John, I hope you and your loved ones are as well as can be. It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly halfway through 2024!  Much of Equality Virginia’s work at the start of each year is focused on the Virginia Ge…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

May 28, 2024 at 10:37 PM

Show your pride before GiveOUT Day!

Your donation is a catalyst for lasting impact   John, Equality Virginia is participating in Give OUT Day, a month-long fundraising campaign culminating on May 30th, in the only national day of giving for the LGBTQ+ community. Can you help our team at Equality Virginia meet our…

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  Ariana at Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

May 21, 2024 at 7:44 PM

Announcing our new Transformation Storytellers Program!

Are you ready to move mountains for trans justice? Dear John, At a time of increased anti-trans rhetoric, legislation, and violence, storytelling is a beacon of hope–materializing transformative social changes necessary for transgender and gender expansive people to thrive, gain visibility beyond th…

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  Ariana Hamidi, Equality Virginia · ariana@equalityvirginia.org

May 14, 2024 at 7:05 PM

TIES 2024 Open Call for Workshop Proposals

Announcing the 2024 Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit Call for Workshop Proposals ANNOUNCING TIES 2024 OPEN CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS!  Our Stories. Our Power.   TIES IS BACK!  We're excited to announce the much-anticipated return of the Transgender Information & Empowerment Su…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

May 8, 2024 at 1:33 PM

An update about Equality Virginia's strategic planning process

Starting in June, we’ll be undertaking a collaborative six-month planning process   John, “What seeds did you plant six months ago that you are finally starting to see bloom?” That was the icebreaker question I asked Equality Virginia’s Board of Directors, Executive Director and…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

May 2, 2024 at 6:23 PM

We're kicking off Give OUT Day!

Help us build a rapid response fund to meet the moment   Friend, It’s gonna be May…oops…we mean Give OUT Day, the only national day of giving for LGBTQ+ organizations! As we kick off this month-long giving initiative, we invite you to stand with us in bolstering our network of i…

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  Ariana Hamidi, Equality Virginia · ariana@equalityvirginia.org

April 30, 2024 at 6:14 PM

Volunteering and How Helping Others Heals Us

National Volunteer Month at Equality Virginia “It is the impact of your work or your actions beyond yourself - how you contribute to the greater good - that translates into contentment.”  - Dr. Robert Lustig Dear John,As National Volunteer Month comes to a close, we at Equality Virginia want you to …

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

April 18, 2024 at 5:25 PM

🗣️ Tell Gov. Youngkin to protect LGBTQ+ youth!🗣️

Two bills passed with bipartisan support await his signature   Dear Friend, Equality Virginia has been working tirelessly this legislative session to ensure the passage of two bills that will be transformative for positive school climates in the state:  H.B. 536, which will adj…

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  Kyleigh Hynes, Equality Virginia · kyleigh@equalityvirginia.org

April 12, 2024 at 8:30 PM

Join us for two NEW Spring events next week!

We're shifting gears and we want to hear from YOU! We're shifting gears and we want to hear from YOU!Dear John,Happy Spring! We hope this message finds you well. Here at Equality Virginia, we are holding space for rest while also gearing up for the busy season ahead!  We are still celebrating the en…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

March 9, 2024 at 4:18 PM

🗣️ Gov. Youngkin Signs Bill Affirming Right to Marry 🗣️

Today marks the end of the 2024 legislative session   Dear Friend, Last night Gov. Youngkin took action on a range of legislation including a bill that would affirm the right to marry in the Commonwealth. We are glad to see that he signed HB 174, a bipartisan bill that will upda…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

March 6, 2024 at 10:01 PM

🗣️ Tell Gov. Youngkin to sign HB 174 and protect marriage equality!🗣️

HB 174 passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support   Dear Friend, On February 19th, the Senate passed House Bill 174, and it now sits on Governor Youngkin's desk. HB 174 would ensure that the Commonwealth can not deny the issuance of a marriage license on the basis of se…

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  Narissa Rahaman, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

February 9, 2024 at 11:10 PM

🌈 Partnerships and progress during Week 5 at the General Assembly!

Next week is crossover!   Dear Friend, It's the last Friday ahead of "crossover" and the remainder of the 2024 General Assembly session is coming into view.  What is crossover? “Crossover day” in the Virginia General Assembly is the day in the legislative session bills must pass…

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  Narissa Rahaman, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

February 8, 2024 at 9:22 PM

🗣️ WE KEEP US SAFE! 🗣️

All VA anti-trans bills were defeated!   Dear Friend, It's official! ALL bills impacting transgender young people in Virginia were DEFEATED! Thank you to everyone who called, emailed or had a meeting with their lawmaker about the dangers of the bills. A special thank you to ever…

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  Narissa Rahaman, Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

February 2, 2024 at 11:00 PM

Two Years On

There's a lot of work ahead   Dear Friend, What a week! We took the critical work of Equality Virginia to the General Assembly every day this week, where we successfully stopped three anti-transgender bills and advanced three pro-LGBTQ+ bills. While there is still a lot of sessi…

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  Equality Virginia · info@equalityvirginia.org

January 1, 2024 at 4:46 PM

New Year, stronger commitment!

Together, we are unstoppable   Dear John, Happy New Year from the team at Equality Virginia! We want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and commitment to LGBTQ+ movement work in Virginia. Your dedication empowers us to continue advocating for equality a…

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