From the Chair
What 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 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 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 MoreJoin us for the LGBT+ Democrats of Virginia Holiday Brunch
The Board would like to invite you to our FREE virtual Holiday Brunch that will be held on December 19th from 11 am to 1 pm.
Read MoreHoliday Letter to Members and Supporters
This year has been a challenging one for politicians and staff. Our normal operations have all been turned upside down. Almost nothing we normally do during a year, including upwards of 40 live events, door knocking, or live fundraisers happened this year. Our entire outlook on the year changed dramatically overnight, and like everyone in politics, our way of doing things had to change dramatically too.
Read MoreAll Elections Matter! This Year Matters More Than Any Other!
This year we have not been able to attend any traditional events around the Commonwealth to do voter registration, education, or planning! That is why WE NEED YOU more NOW than ever!
Read MoreGood Trouble
‘Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” – Congressman John Lewis
Read MoreLet’s Queer the Census!
Census 2020 is still moving forward. You should have already received a letter back in March asking you to complete the census, but timelines have been extended. Don’t miss your opportunity to be counted!
Read MoreCOVID-19 Has Changed Everything – How to Support Your Candidates
COVID-19 has changed everything! Not only do we need to think about day-to-day activities that we have taken for granted in the past, we also need to rethink how we do outreach, campaigns, and elections this year.
Read MorePride Is Coming – A Little History of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia
June is just around the corner. Although this year won’t look like past years, we can still celebrate our PRIDE in our community. Roots of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia stretch back 28 years.
Read MoreGeneral Membership Meeting – Saturday, December 8th
The LGBT Democrats of Virginia will meet on Saturday, December 8th at 1:30 pm in the Suntrust Building in Downtown Richmond.
Read MoreENDORSEMENTS!
Our Board is proud to endorse a list of candidates that has already stood up and been counted as champions for LGBT+ rights in office and out.
Read MoreTiffany Joslyn – In Memoriam
Loss of anyone is difficult. Loss of a young, passionate, activist is devastating.
Read MorePatronizing?
A couple weeks ago a friend on Facebook said that she had dinner with her father who is gay. He was voting for Trump because as he put it, he felt that Democrats patronize the LGBT community. Obviously, I disagreed.
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 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 MoreVirginia’s Ban on Same Sex Marriage is UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
The Federal Fourth Circuit of Appeals today affirmed the lower court ruling that Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The LGBT Democrats of Virginia are very excited to celebrate this ruling. Right now, I am extremely emotional and happy that my marriage, as well as many others, may soon be recognized in my home state and that many friends may soon be able to marry in our great Commonwealth.
Read MoreTriangles
The Richmond Triangle Players (RTP) just recently closed on an extended and sold out run of Cabaret. The story of Cabaret takes place in Nazi Germany prior to World War II. A young bisexual American goes to Berlin to experience and to write. His wide-eyed excitement upon arriving turns dark as he realizes that he is helping the Nazi Party by trafficking contraband and money from France to Germany. When he finds out that his first friend in Germany is an enthusiastic Nazi Party member, and his new friend, a Jewish merchant, is being threatened by the coming rise of fascism, his dream world falls apart. The final scene shows the concentration camp and the characters we have just grown to know. The last vision as the stage lights dimmed was the Emcee of the cabaret standing in the camp wearing the infamous yellow Star of David with a pink triangle.
Read MorePancakes & Politics in Arlington on Sunday, May 4th!
On Sunday, the LGBT Democrats of Virginia will host Pancakes & Politics with Rep. Jim Moran in Arlington. For those of you who do not know our history, the Virginia Partisans and LGBT Democrats of Virginia have hosted many events and raised tens of thousands of dollars in support of equality minded candidates for the last 20 years.
Read MoreThank You for Supporting Equality!
On behalf of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia, I want to personally thank you for standing up for equality, especially over the past few weeks. About 1,000 folks joined us by signing our petition in support of marriage equality, including almost 100 Central Committee members!
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