Posts by Joel McDonald
Tickets and Sponsorships Now Available for 2017 Equality Breakfast
We’re excited to let you know that we’ll be hosting our almost-annual Equality Breakfast on June 17, 2017! The breakfast will take place before the Democratic Party of Virginia’s Central Committee meeting. As you probably know, this is the same weekend as the DPVA’s Jefferson Jackson Dinner, so we expect tickets to the breakfast to go fast! Our last breakfast sold out quickly. Don’t miss out, get your tickets today.
Read MoreNew Responsibilities and Fresh Faces on LGBT Democrats of Virginia Board
LGBT Democrats of Virginia elect officers to the organization’s board in March of odd-numbered years. Participation in the election is open to any person with an active membership on January 1st. This year, thirteen board members were either re-elected or elected. One Board member was elected to a new position. There is one new addition to the Board.
Read MoreVolunteers Needed for DPVA Booth at State Fair
We’re using SignUp.com to organize our upcoming shifts for volunteering at the DPVA booth at the State Fair of Virginia. Don’t forget everyone that volunteers gets a free ticket to enter the fair. Plan your day so that you will have time to take in the sounds, food, and events at the State Fair either before or after your shift.
Read MoreVideo: 2015 LGBT Democrats of Virginia Equality Breakfast
The LGBT Democrats of Virginia hosted their annual Equality Breakfast on December 5th, 2015 in Richmond, VA. The guest speaker for the event was Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. Master of Ceremonies was Virginia State Senator Donald McEachin. Special guests included Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney and Gavin Grimm.
Read MoreJoint Statement from LGBT Democrats of Virginia and DLOV on Week After Orlando Attack
We stand together because we are stronger together. DLOV, the LGBT Democrats, and our allies will work every day to amplify issues that afflict our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, and in November, we will elect public officials who will work to further our vision for the future.
Read MoreHillary Wins Virginia Primary
As United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton advocated for LGBT equality in the U.S. and abroad, saying, “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.”
Read MorePresident Obama first to add the L, B and T to LGBT in State of the Union
President Obama becomes the first President to use the words “lesbian”, “bisexual”, and “transgender” in a State of the Union Address. He also gives a few other nods to the LGBT community while attempting to inspire Americans to lead the world economically, academically, and in acting on climate change.
Read MoreRemembering
The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Here are a few events throughout Virginia you may want to attend in recognition of this day.
Read MoreOn Marriage Equality: Yes for Warner. No for Gillespie.
In their first, and perhaps only, debate held in West Virginia on July 25, 2014, with about 800 live stream viewers, Democratic Senator Mark Warner and his Republican challenger, Ed Gillespie, discussed most of the current hot button political issues, including immigration, climate change, and health care reform. They also, briefly, discussed marriage equality. It was the last question of the debate.
Read MoreDemocrats Care About People
Joel McDonald spoke at the March 2014 Central Committee meeting of the Democratic Party of Virginia on the progress the Party has made toward marriage equality and hope for the future. Video and transcript included.
Read MoreLGBT Democrats of Virginia Meets with Mayor Dwight Jones
This past Monday, a delegation from the LGBT Democrats of Virginia, met with Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones to discuss his lack of support for marriage equality. After the meeting, the Mayor released a statement where he said, “It would be my honor to lead the party in seeking full equality under the law, which everyone deserves.”
Read MoreNearly 800 Virginians Sign Petition Supporting Pro-Marriage Equality DPVA Chair
Nearly 700 people have signed the petition and letter in the 48 hours since the petition was launched. The number includes 71 Central Committee members who will vote on the new chair on March 15th. 40 local party chairs and other officers also signed onto the effort.
Read MoreMayor Dwight Jones Should not be Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia
We have a President, a Vice President, and a U.S. Attorney General who now stand on the right side of history, on the side of equality. The Democratic Party of Virginia must not consider retreating on this issue. Instead, the Party should heed the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who declared, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’. These are beliefs the Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia must embody.
Read MoreThe Most LGBT Friendly Statewide Leadership in Virginia History
With Mark Obenshain conceding the race for Attorney General today, Virginia is poised to have the most LGBT friendly statewide leadership in its history take office in January.
Read MoreWE are making history…
When Maggie asked me to write another article about LGBT History for LGBT Democrats of Virginia’s October 2013 edition of Our Commonwealth, I thought “Well, October is LGBT History Month,…
Read MoreAnother Day at the Office
I could not sleep last Sunday morning as I was thinking about what I would write for this article. What could I say? What emotion could I elicit that would…
Read MoreProgress Marches on, but Will Virginia Join?
When I started volunteering for the Obama campaign during the 2008 primary, I could not have imagined the progress that we are seeing today. In just over four and one-half…
Read MoreThe Modern LGBT Community: Why We Celebrate Pride
Early on the morning of Saturday, 28 June 1969, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons rioted following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar at 43…
Read MoreFrom the Chair: Thank you!
To everyone who has joined the LGBT Democrats of VA, given to the PAC, attended the Equality Breakfast, volunteered for us or a Democratic candidate, or simply passed on our…
Read MoreVideo of Program from the 2013 LGBT Democrats of Virginia Equality Breakfast
Relive history being made! The LGBT Democrats of Virginia hosted their first Equality Breakfast on June 29th, 2013, in Richmond Virginia. The program features Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, State Senator…
Read More