Candidate Spotlight: Gerry Connolly, 11th Congressional District

Rep. Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s 11th District, which encompasses Fairfax County, Prince William County, and Fairfax City in Northern Virginia.

Prior to his election to Congress in November 2008, Connolly served five years as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and nine years as the Providence District Supervisor.

Connolly was a strong supporter of equal rights for all, gay rights, and marriage equality long before it was more widely supported by Democratic elected officials. In Fairfax County, Connolly fought for non-discrimination policies to protect the rights of all Fairfax County citizens and employees. He actively opposed efforts to pass the Marshall-Newman Amendment to the Virginia Constitution, which would have banned all gay unions from being performed or recognized in Virginia.

In the House, Connolly voted to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law prohibiting gays from serving openly in the military, and has cosponsored legislation to repeal key portions of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. He also participated in the “NO H8” campaign to promote marriage, gender, and human equality. Connolly is an original cosponsor of the Domestic Partnership and Obligations Act, which would enable federal employees involved in a same-sex domestic partnership, union, or marriage to receive the same benefits as other married couples.

Connolly is a member of the House LGBT Equality Caucus. He is also a cosponsor of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which would restrict federal funds for states that allow for discrimination in adoption based on LGBT status.