Posts by Joel McDonald
Joint 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 MoreVirginia Congressmen Gerry Connolly and Jim Moran Join NOH8 Campaign
Congressmen Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly, Democrats from Virginia, participated in photo shoots for NOH8 Campaign, photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in…
Read MoreSCOTUS Rulings: Re-Energized and Recommitted
We are celebrating with the LGBT community and their friends and family members today the decisions by the United States Supreme Court to strike the so-called Defense of Marriage Act,…
Read MoreLGBT Democrats of Virginia to Host First Equality Breakfast
The LGBT Democrats of Virginia are hosting their first Equality Breakfast in conjunction with the June meeting of the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia in Richmond…
Read MoreLGBT Democrats of Virginia PAC Endorse 30 for House of Delegates
Today, the LGBT Democrats of Virginia PAC, formerly the Virginia Partisans, announced their endorsement of 30 incumbents and candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates in the upcoming general election…
Read More