Virginia Lawmakers Block LGBTQ Equality

February 9, 2018

Four bills that would have updated Virginia’s laws to include LGBTQ people in nondiscrimination protections were killed in a committee despite the broad support of fair-minded Virginians. Two of the bills had passed in the state’s Senate with 75% of the vote.

Equality Federation supported Equality Virginia with voter outreach to contact lawmakers and build support for the bills.

“As a nation, we’ll look back on days like this and wonder why and how anyone could stand in the way of basic fairness,” said Fran Hutchins, deputy director of Equality Federation. “All families in Virginia should be able to go to work, pay their rent, and enjoy restaurants and shopping without fear of discrimination. We won’t stop fighting until that day is realized.”

“I’m gravely disappointed in today’s vote. Four pro-LGBT bills were killed on a party-line vote, revealing just how disconnected House leadership is from their constituents,” said James Parrish, Executive Director of Equality Virginia. “We hoped this year would be a turning point, but once again, Speaker Cox is playing politics with LGBT people’s basic civil rights. These common-sense bills would have been important steps towards a more equal Virginia, including protecting LGBT people from discrimination in public employment and housing. It is truly disgraceful for sitting members of the Virginia House to vote down such fair-minded legislation at the will of the Speaker.”

Danica Roem, the state’s first transgender delegate, who was recently elected posted a message on her social media, “Delegate Levine (author of the all-inclusive nondiscrimination bill) is a mentor, pioneer and fighter and I’m so proud to stand with him in solidarity as we continue to fight for not just our own rights but the rights of every Virginian to live freely as who they are, not despite it. Our time will come and we will work until we bring it here. Until then, we’re in it for the long haul.”

Equality Federation is working with our state-based member organizations all across the country, from Equality Florida to Basic Rights Oregon, to resist anti-LGBTQ attacks and win full equality.

Will you donate $5, $15, or $25 now to propel us forward?

More You might like

New Director Alert!

We are pleased to announce Janeesha’s promotion from Events Manager to Director of Leadership & Capacity Building!

September 6, 2024
2024 Election: Highlighting Progress for LGBTQ+ Rights in the States

In the spirit of finding hope where we can, here are a few key victories from across the states in the 2024 election.

September 6, 2024
Press Release: Equality Federation Reacts to 2024 Election Results

Equality Federation responds to the results of the November 5, 2024, Presidential election and many Congressional, Senate, state, and local election results.

September 6, 2024
A young man looking up, smilingA young man smiling straight at the camera
Confident young woman standing with crossed arms.

Want To Make A Difference? Support Our Work

With your support, we'll be able to continue our work to build the leaders of today and tomorrow, strengthen state-based LGBTQ+ organizations, and make critical progress on the issues that matter most—like protecting transgender people, ending HIV criminalization and ensuring access to care, and banning conversion therapy across the country.