Blog
Grassroots at a Political Ground Zero by Cragg Hines
Very recently one of our longtime and dedicated donors, Cragg Hines of Arlington, made a trip to Iowa to participate in the campaigning that built up to the Iowa caucuses. Here is his perspective.
Read MoreOur Vote and Our Voice Matters
We all need to take note and recognize that our vote, and our voice, matters.
Read MoreElections Have Consequences!
Elections do have consequences and every vote counts.
Read MoreReflecting on Pride
So, is Pride month still relevant?
Read MoreWe Need You!
Help make a difference in this critical election year!
Read MoreWhat’s Left on LGBT Issues?
Every day, LGBT people and their allies should be focusing on all elections from school board to president.
Read MoreMake Heard Our Voices
Our journey was never about awards or accolades.
Read MoreSupport Equality – General Assembly Session 2015
As the General Assembly begins its short session this year, I wanted to write to make you aware of some bills that have been introduced. As is true every year, some of our elected representatives are hoping to make an even stronger Virginia where all citizens will be treated equally, while some want to promote discrimination. I hope that you will join with equality minded individuals across the state and contact your Delegate or Senator to let them know that you support EQUALITY for all LGBT persons.
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 MoreCandidate Spotlight: Gerry Connolly, 11th Congressional District
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.
Read MoreCandidate Spotlight: John Foust, 10th Congressional District
As the next congressman for Virginia’s 10th District, John will fight to uphold the values of those living in Virginia’s 10th District. He is pleased with the progress our country and the commonwealth are making on marriage equality and supports ending discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. When hearing the news of the recent decision made by the Supreme Court, John Foust issued the following statement: “Today’s news is a significant step forward towards ending discrimination in Virginia and across the country. The Supreme Court has once again shown that it is willing to stand up for the constitutional rights of all Americans to be protected from unjust and unequal treatment. I commend Attorney General Herring for his leadership in protecting the rights of same-sex couples in Virginia. The fight to end discrimination in Virginia is not over, and we must continue the hard work to ensure that all Virginians have a fair chance.”
Read MoreCandidate Spotlight: Don Beyer, 8th Congressional District
He is a strong supporter of the LGBT community, stating: “I support full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. As a member of Congress, I would support legislation that bans job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. I believe the institution of marriage should be available to committed, same-sex couples, and I would work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. I believe equality is not complete until it reaches every aspect of our society, including adoption and immigration sponsorship.”
Read MoreCandidate Spotlight: Jack Trammell, 7th Congressional District
As a candidate, Trammell supports fixing the Affordable Care Act and expanding coverage to more Americans. Trammell supports immigration reform, putting millions of immigrants on a path toward citizenship and he believes strong border security is a part of the needed reform. He supports same sex marriage, women’s rights, Roe v. Wade, and raising the minimum wage. Trammel also understands the need to “protect taxpayers, promote accountability and address our nation’s deficits and debt.”
Read MoreCandidate Spotlight: Lawrence Gaughan, 5th Congressional District
Gauhan is pro-Equality and supports efforts to protect victims of domestic violence. In 2009, Lawrence co-wrote and directed the festival short movie, “Circles of Life”, about the prominent signs of domestic violence. He spoke in September to the attendees of the Equality Breakfast where the LGBT Democrats honored the 4 couples who were fighting for Marriage Equality in Virginia’s courts.
Read MoreCandidate Spotlight: Elliott Fausz, 4th Congressional District
Elliott Fausz is alum of Virginia Commonwealth University. He recently married Lyndsay, a probation officer in Richmond, Virginia. He runs day to day operations for his family’s newspaper, “The Village News.” This local paper reports activities and news in Chesterfield, Virginia. His 17 year involvement with the newspaper has kept him close to the community, serving its needs. He hopes to continue his service as the new leader of the 4th Congressional District.
Read MoreGovernor McAuliffe Recognizes National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day 10/11/2014 WHEREAS, Virginia is committed to being inclusive — priding itself as diverse, accepting, and supportive of all individuals, families, and communities; and WHEREAS, Virginia enjoys…
Read MoreSame-Sex Spouses Can Now Legally Adopt in Virginia
The following is an announcement from Governor Terry McAuliffe stating that Same-Sex Spouses can now adopt in Virginia: McAuliffe Administration to Local Divisions of Social Services: Same-Sex Spouses can now…
Read MoreGovernor McAuliffe Statement on Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Decision 10/6/14
Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today on the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of a writ of certiorari in the case that overturned Virginia’s ban on gay marriages: “This…
Read MoreStatement from the DPVA on Marriage Equality 10/6/14
The Supreme Court today denied a writ of certiorati in the case that overturned Virginia’s ban on gay marriages, making marriage equality finallylegal for all Virginians. The Democratic Party of…
Read MoreCandidate Spotlight: Bobby Scott of the 3rd Congressional District
Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement on the decision by a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upholding the district court’s decision in Bostic v. Rainey, which ruled Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional: “I applaud the Fourth Circuit for upholding the lower court’s decision in Bostic v. Rainey. This decision is based on sound legal reasoning consistent with a growing list of decisions by courts all over the country, beginning with the Supreme Court’s 1967 decision in Loving v. Virginia. The Loving Court unanimously struck down bans on interracial marriage stating that marriage is one of the ‘basic civil rights of man.’ And last year, the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Windsor continued this legal reasoning when it struck down the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which I opposed in Congress. Today’s decision is a critical step forward for marriage equality in the Commonwealth.”
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