NEWS ROOM

RICHMOND, VA — Today, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 612 (Cohen), which advances a voter referendum to repeal the 2006 Marshall-Newman Amendment banning same-sex marriage and replace it with an affirmative right to marry for all Virginians. Narissa Rahaman, Executive Director of Equality Virginia, who attended the signing, released the following statement: “Twenty years after banning marriage equality, it’s time for our commonwealth to fully complete our evolution – and finish the job on protecting marriage equality for all…”

RICHMOND, VA — On February 2, over 60 LGTBQ+ Virginians and allies from across the Commonwealth gathered at the General Assembly Building in Richmond for Equality Virginia’s annual Lobby Day, urging lawmakers to support policies and a state budget that protects, affirms, and includes LGBTQ+ Virginians.

Today, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 3 (Sickles), a constitutional amendment to protect marriage equality, with bipartisan support in both chambers. Senate Joint Resolution 3 (Ebbin), which also passed the Senate with bipartisan support, will head to the House next week for final votes. With the passage of HJ3, today’s vote sends the amendment to the November ballot, where Virginians will have the final say on enshrining marriage equality in the state constitution.

As Virginians, we stand unequivocally for the right of transgender people and their families to access medically appropriate, evidence-based health care—free from fear, stigma, or political intrusion. Decisions about health care belong where they always have: between patients, families, and qualified medical professionals, guided by compassion, expertise, and respect—not ideology.

Support for HB 2769 – Ensuring Equitable Access to Life and Health Insurance PDF Copy of the Letter Dear Governor Youngkin, Equality Federation champions critical

An Open Letter To Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia and Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughter Health Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Thursday, February