MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Mark Warner, Special Guests Join Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner

Kevin Clay | [email protected] | 804.643.4816 Mayor Cory Booker To Address Sold-Out Crowd This Saturday WHAT: Press Invitation to Attend Equality Virginia’s 10th Annual Commonwealth Dinner WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2013, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. WHERE: Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third St., Richmond, VA WHO: U.S. Senator Mark Warner, invited gubernatorial candidates, Mayor Cory Booker, join Virginia’s largest gala for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. MORE INFO: For ten years, Equality Virginia, the statewide advocacy organization has been bringing the LGBT community together for the Annual Commonwealth Dinner; and, in a time where the climate for equality is steadily improving, there is reason to celebrate. “More Americans than ever believe that LGBT people should be treated equally under the law and we know Mayor Cory Booker is going to energize our guests to continue creating change here at home to bring Virginia into the fold with the rest of the nation,” Executive Director James Parrish said. Booker, currently mayor of Newark, NJ, is a rising political star known for his innovative ideas, bold actions, and longtime support of LGBT equality. He has been named TIME’s 100 most influential people, and has also received recognition in Esquire and the New York Times Magazine for his leadership. In addition to Booker’s keynote address, Equality Virginia will highlight Sen. Mark Warner for his longstanding commitment to equality including his actions in 2005, when he was the first Virginia Governor to ban employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation within state government. He recently lent his name to help overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. “To me, repeal of DOMA is an issue of fairness. Under DOMA, committed relationships legally recognized by some states are made financially and legally unequal in many ways: taxes, inheritance, insurance benefits, and a thousand other rights and benefits that the federal government routinely grants to other married couples,” Warner said. Invited speakers also include this year’s gubernatorial candidates addressing the crowd on the importance of equality in the role of Governor of Virginia. ________________________________________ Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians. Since 1989, EV has worked to end discrimination, protect families and build safe communities. More information is online at EqualityVirginia.org. Connect on Facebook.com/EqualityVA or Twitter @EqualityVA.