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Senator Danica Roem Encourages Transgender Visibility
Democratic Virginia Senate Senator Danica Roem spoke at the Festival of the Book held in Charlottesville on Saturday, March 23, 2024 about her book, Burn the Page, published in 2022 and her experience as a transgender candidate and member of the Virginia General Assembly. She encouraged transgender political hopefuls to “be vulnerable enough to be visible.”
Read MoreRemembering Cragg Hines, a “Democrat’s Democrat”
Virginia Democrats lost a fixture in the Party with the passing of Cragg Hines on December 16th, 2023. Hines was a longtime supporter of LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia as an early caucus member. He was also a member of Virginia Partisans, the predecessor to the caucus, helping to raise funds to support LGBT+ and pro-LGBT+ candidates for elected office in Virginia. In addition to his Democratic activism, Cragg Hines had a storied and award-winning career as a journalist. He was a correspondent, bureau chief, and columnist for the Houston Chronicle.
Read MoreThoughts and an Ask as We Close 2023
It’s been quite the year as we battled for the soul of the Commonwealth. Maintaining Democratic leadership over the Virginia Senate was critical in continuing to thwart the efforts of Glenn Youngkin to delegitimize, demonize, and restrict freedoms of individuals who don’t share his right-wing ideology. We did more than maintain control of the Virginia Senate. We won control of the Virginia House of Delegates as well.
Read MoreWhy We’re Leaving Twitter
We cannot tacitly endorse the ideology at the helm of Twitter/X as the platform becomes less safe for the LGBT+ community. After over 12 years and over 800 posts, it’s time for us to leave. Fortunately, many other ways exist to stay connected with LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia.
Read MoreStatement: Murder of Jacob Williamson, South Carolina Transgender Man
Williamson’s murder underscores the need for Virginia and the nation to recognize gender identity and sexual orientation as hate crime categories and oppose legislation and policies targeting transgender individuals and those that delegitimize and erase the transgender experience.
Read MoreLGBT+ Democrats Endorse Ten June 20th Primary Winners
LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia, the official LGBT+ caucus of the Democratic Party of Virginia, added nine June 20th Democratic projected primary winners to their 2023 endorsements. These candidates were previously endorsed by the caucus in a prior general election.
Read MoreLGBT+ Democrats of Virginia Launch New Endorsement Questionnaire
The endorsement questionnaire for LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia now includes questions about ensuring equal access to public services, preserving free speech and expression, prohibiting bans on LGBT+ military service, protecting transgender students in public schools, ensuring access to gender-affirming health care, and more issues important to the LGBT+ community that have been subjects of recent legislation. The last update to the questionnaire was in 2021.
Read MoreWhat Pride Includes
With the increase in political rhetoric and legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, Joel McDonald, chair of LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia, shares how Pride includes families, faith, and patriotism.
Read MoreNew Chairperson and Executive Board Elected for LGBT Democrats of Virginia
Of note, Maggie Sacra, the caucus chairperson for over a decade, opted not to run for re-election to this office. Instead, she will remain on the board as the Immediate Past Chairperson and also serve as Assistant Treasurer. Longtime board member Joel McDonald, who has served as Vice Chair for Technology and Communications and the Vice Chair for Technology, will serve as Chairperson.
Read MorePassing the Baton, but Still Keep’n On
For the last fifteen years I have served on the Board of the LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia as an elected member, first as a Treasurer (2009-2011), part of the time acting as Chair, and then as the Chairperson (2012-2023). We have grown a great deal during this time, and we’ve weathered lots of changes. Ones that probably would have resulted in the demise of a less resilient and strong organization, COVID being a recent example. I could not be prouder of the amazing group of Board members that I’ve shared this ride with for the past fifteen plus years.
Read MoreAn Almost Return to Normal in 2022, the Work for Equal Rights and Protection Continues
When I sat down a few days ago to write this letter, I looked at letters from the past. I read through them thinking how different our 2022 was from our 2019, 2020, and 2021. So many things have changed in our lives over the past few years. Now that things are getting back to ‘normal’, we have almost completely gotten back to our previous activities. Hopefully, by next year we will be back to pre-pandemic schedules and events!
Read MoreSpeak Out: Youngkin’s Model Policies Targeting Transgender Students
Youngkin is targeting transgender students in Virginia’s public schools through a proposed model policy that subverts a law intended to protect transgender students. Virginians need to be heard during the public comment period.
Read MoreUrgency Has Spiked!
We must pass the Equality Act, we must codify Roe, we must confirm the Equal Rights Amendment, and we must never again let the country slip towards theocracy and fascism. Our lives and the freedoms of our children and grandchildren depend on the next few elections.
Read MorePride Month 2022: Convictions in Precarious Times
I actually am writing this because I believe that we can reverse the negative by living each day so that those around us that call themselves our allies will grow stronger in their convictions and support of the LGBT+ community. We will need all these allies as we collectively fight to make our world a better place for everyone.
Read MoreFirst Round of 2022 Endorsements from LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia
All Democratic nominees for the U.S. House of Representatives previously endorsed by LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia have been endorsed for the 2022 election. Find out more about these candidates and how you can help them win.
Read MoreHow to help Ukraine
There are some easy ways to donate to Ukraine. Here are some established and multinational charity organizations that can be safely relied upon for donations.
Read MoreLGBT+ Democrats of Virginia at Mary Washington University
LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia were excited to be out again for our first event of the season at the University of Mary Washington Multicultural Fair. Executive Board Members Donald Davenport,…
Read MoreThe Time is Now to Volunteer for Democrats in Virginia
The LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia are doubling up our efforts to get out the vote. Even one hour is better than no hours. Make calls with us every day. Canvas on Saturdays and Sundays. Many opportunities to get involved are available.
Read MoreVideo: Gubernatorial Candidates Virtual Town Hall
Video of virtual town hall. Candidates participating included Delegate Lee Carter, former Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, former Governor Terry McAuliffe, and Senator Jennifer McClellan.
Read MoreVideo: Lt. Governor Candidates Virtual Town Hall
Video of virtual town hall featuring All candidates participated, including Delegate Hala Ayala, Delegate Mark Levine, Hon. Andria McClellan, Sean Perryman, Delegate Sam Rasoul, and Xavier Warren.
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