Resources

I Am Trans

On July 1, 2020, Virginia became the first state in the South to pass non-discrimination protections in housing, employment, public spaces, credit for LGBTQ Virginians. This is a landmark achievement but there’s more to be done before LGBTQ Virginians have full, lived equality in the Commonwealth. For more in-depth information on all of your rights, check out our Virginia Legal Protections FAQ Guides.

Additionally, as of June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that it is illegal for employers to discriminate against LGBTQ people under federal law – this applies to companies that employ 15 people or more annually.

President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order in his first week asking all federal government agencies to comply with the court’s ruling that protections on the basis of sex include sexual orientation and gender identity.

To learn more about trans legal issues, check out Lambda Legal’s Transgender Rights Toolkit: A Legal Guide for Trans People and Their Advocates.

If you experience discrimination at your workplace, keep a contemporaneous written record in a secure place (not at work) regarding what happened, what was said, who witnessed it, and what the consequences were, along with copies of any written or electronic documents relating to the discrimination. Promptly contact an attorney. Click here for a list of LGBTQ-friendly attorneys.

For more information, check out EV’s FAQ Guide on LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Protections.

Employment
- If you work in Virginia and your employer has 6 or more employees, you have state-level protections through the Virginia Division of Human Rights. You can file a complaint here.
- If you are in a union or part of an employment or staffing agency, you have state-level protections through the Virginia Division of Human Rights .You can file a complaint here.
- If you are a Virginia state worker, state contractor, or state subcontractor, you can file a complaint here.
- If you are a federal worker, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s process for federal workers.
- If you are a federal contractor or subcontractor, in addition to the EEOC, you also protections through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). You can file a complaint here.
- If the business you work for employs 15 or more employees, you have federal protections through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To learn more, visit their LGBT workers page or call 1-800-669-4000. You can also access this guide to filing a charge for employment discrimination.
Housing
- As of July 1, 2020, LGBTQ Virginians are covered under the Virginia Fair Housing Law. Landlords and real estate agents cannot discriminate against LGBTQ people in housing. If you have experienced discrimination in housing, you can file a complaint here through the Virginia Division of Human Rights.
Public Spaces (legally called Public Accommodations)
- As of July 1, 2020, LGBTQ Virginians are protected from discrimination in any place that is open to the public. This includes restaurants, shops, doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, banks, insurance companies, transportation services, shelters, food banks, child and elder care centers, funeral parlors, hair salons, gas stations, entertainment venues, on-line businesses, and government buildings. You can file a complaint here through the Virginia Division of Human Rights.
Credit
- As of July 1, 2020, LGBTQ Virginians cannot be discriminated against in accessing credit, which could include being denied credit because of your identity, being charged discriminatory interest rates or having discriminatory payment schedules due to your identity, and being asked invasive, inappropriate questions about a previous legal name due to being transgender. If you have experienced discrimination in credit, you can file a complaint here through the Virginia Division of Human Rights.
Education
- As of July 1, 2020, LGBTQ Virginians cannot be discriminated against in accessing education. This could include a K-12 public school; a public university, technical school, or community college; and any private K-12 school, university, technical school, or other educational institution that is open to public enrollment. If you have experienced discrimination at an educational institution, you can file a complaint here through the Virginia Division of Human Rights.
- For more information, check out EV’s FAQ Guide on Advocating for Trans Students.

If you experienced conversion therapy in Virginia, report it to the Virginia Department of Health Professions. You are eligible to file a complaint if you experienced the treatment before the age of 18, the counselor/therapist is a licensed professional, and acting in that role as a counselor. For more information, check out EV’s FAQ Guide on the Conversion Therapy Ban.

As of July 1, 2020, the process to update the gender marker on your license or ID at the DMV is now modernized and includes a non-binary gender marker. Additionally, the process to update your gender marker on a Virginia birth certificate has also been updated.

View this detailed list of documents, accounts and personal information that may need to be changed during your transition. If you aren’t sure wear to start, check out NCTE’s overview guide.
Obtaining a Name Court Order, Social Security, Immigration Documents, and More – The Name and Gender Change Guide for Virginia Residents, developed by Whitman-Walker Health and Trans Legal Advocates of Washington (LAW), provides an outline for Virginians who wish to change their name and/or gender marker on identity documents and other records. Please note that as of July 1, 2020, this document is out of date regarding driver’s licenses, state IDs, and Virginia birth certificates.
- At the National Center for Transgender Equality’s ID Document Center, you can find in-depth instructions on the name change process in Virginia.
- You can also check out Trans Law DC’s guide and checklist
Driver’s License or State ID
- Check out EV’s FAQ Guide on the DMV Gender Marker Update Process. Virginia now allows a non-binary gender marker and has modernized the gender marker update process.
- If you need to change the name on your license, you will need to go in person to the DMV along with a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree to prove your legal name change.
Virginia Birth Certificate – Check out EV’s FAQ Guide on the Birth Certificate Gender Marker Update Process in Virginia. You no longer need a court order or proof of medical procedure in order to update your gender marker on a Virginia birth certificate.
Out-of-State Birth Certificate – If you were born outside of Virginia, check out the National Center for Transgender Equality’s Document Center and find the state or territory you were born in. If you would like to pursue a court order for a gender marker change to use in another state, attend a free legal clinic offered periodically by the Virginia Equality Bar Association or reach out to a qualified attorney.
Consulting with an Attorney –
- Equality Virginia also has its own legal resource guide of LGBT-welcoming lawyers and law firms.
- Whitman-Walker Health also offers a free legal clinic in the DC area. You can call or email Lee Hicks at 202.939.7627 or [email protected] or Leonor Suarez at 202.939.7630 or [email protected] to set up an appointment and for further information.
- If you would like to connect with an attorney through Health Brigade to receive legal counseling or help with your name/gender marker process, please fill out this application. This service requires a financial eligibility screening.
- Click here for more Virginia legal resources.
Get Assistance – Project ID’s Virginia Chapter can assist you with support, paperwork, and financial assistance for obtaining/updating a state ID. This includes getting your birth certificate and other supporting documentation, as needed. They can also help and you register to vote, provide you voter information and even assist you in getting your voting rights restored if you’ve been convicted of a felony and have completed your release requirements. To find out more or request assistance email them at [email protected] or call 571-406-7881.

Insurance – It is prohibited for state-regulated insurance plans to discriminate against transgender and non-binary Virginians, however this only accounts for about one in four plans in Virginia. Unfortunately, many plans offered in Virginia are still using discriminatory exclusions to deny coverage to transgender people for medically necessary health care. For more information, check out EV’s FAQ guide on health insurance protections for trans and non-binary Virginians.
- To learn more about how to sign up for health insurance and get connected with a local navigator, visit the Out2Enroll website.
- Check out TransCend Legal’s video series for a step-by-step guide to navigate your insurance coverage and apply for coverage of transition-related care.
- The National Center for Transgender Equality offers a comprehensive Health Coverage Guide.
- Learn more about affordable trans health services through Planned Parenthood. You can contact Melissa-Irene at [email protected]
- Medicaid – If you were not eligible for Medicaid before, you might be after the recent expansion. Visit CoverVA to find out more and enroll. Keep in mind that you will have to choose between different insurance companies that will administer your Medicaid plan.
- Check out NCTE’s Medicare Guide for more information on coverage and resources.
- If you are a low-income resident of Greater Richmond Area without insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for Health Brigade Trans Health Services
  - Email Chelsea, [email protected], or call (804) 358-6343 in order to schedule an appointment.
Explaining Medical Necessity – There are many resources that you can cite when discussing medical necessity of your care. The main ones are:
Finding a Provider – Whether you are looking for a trans-informed general practitioner, a provider to help with medical transitioning, or a mental health resource, you can check out the Virginia Transgender Resource and Referral List to see what services are near your area.
- Other Sources to Identify Transgender-Affirming Providers –
  - GLMA’s Directory of LGBTQ-friendly medical providers
  - D.C. Area Transmasculine Society’s Trans Wellness Information Network (TransWIN)
  - Transgender Health Alliance of Central Virginia (THACVA)’s provider directory
  - The Campaign for Southern Equality’s Trans in the South: A Guide to Resources and Services
  - The Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index
Mental Health Crisis Lines – If you or someone you know is at risk of self-harm or is having suicidal thoughts, here are some LGBT-friendly resources for immediate use:
- - Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
  - The Trevor Project – (866)-488-7386
  - Trans Lifeline – (877)-565-8860
    @translifeline (Twitter) – These are staffed entirely by members of the trans community
  - LGBTQ partner abuse & sexual assault helpline (open 24/7, toll-free, confidential)
    Call: 1-866-356-6998
    Text: 1-804-793-9999
    Chat online: www.vsdvalliance.org
  - Crisis Text Line – Serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via a medium people already use and trust: text.
    Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform.
- Non-Emergency Hotlines: GLBT National Hotline – free & confidential service that provides telephone, online private 1-to-1 chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States, with a resource database of over 15,000 listings.
  Call: 1-888-843-4564
  M-F 4pm-midnight EST
  Sat 12pm-5pm EST
Health Impacts of anti-transgender discrimination. Learn more from the American Medical Association about how discrimination impacts well-being as it relates to:

Discrimination –
- Check out EV’s FAQ Guide on LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Protections.
- As of July 1, 2020, LGBTQ Virginians are covered under the Virginia Fair Housing Law. Landlords and realtors can not discriminate against LGBTQ people in housing.
- If you have experienced discrimination in housing, you can file a complaint here with the Virginia Fair Housing Office. It is also strongly recommended you get in touch with an attorney.
Finding Housing –
- For adults in Virginia facing unstable housing, you can reach out to the Transgender Assistance Program through their website, by calling 757-563-4784, or by emailing [email protected] They provide a Host Home Program as well as help with finding employment, meals, transportation, and clothing.
- If you or someone you know is between the ages of 18 and 25 and is experiencing unsafe/unstable housing, Side by Side and its partners have a Host Home Program for LGBTQ Youth. For more information, or to ask about becoming a host yourself, contact Side by Side.
- For people in the Greater Richmond area, Nationz Foundation’s Aim To Inspire project provides emergency housing assistance to the LGBTQ community and transportation for medical appointments or supportive services. Please contact their office or email Troy Kershaw at [email protected]
- For people in the DC area, Casa Ruby provides a free shelter at night and during weather emergencies, as well as short-term and transitional living programs for LGBT youth 18-24. Call 202-355-5155 or email [email protected] for more information.
- For Falls Church and Alexandria, New Hope Housing provides transitional and supportive housing programs, homeless shelter, support services, and resource referrals for individuals experiencing homelessness. The shelter makes it a point to create a comfortable, welcoming, and affirming environment for transgender individuals.
- If you are a survivor of violence, including domestic or sexual assault, the Virginia Anti-Violence Project has limited funds for emergency housing assistance. You can call their office at 804-793-9999.
- Peter’s Place RVA – “Our mission is to provide compassionate and accessible housing, resources, and trauma-informed care to LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking individualized recovery support.”
Food Access – LGBTQ people facing food insecurity can access the Nationz Foundation food pantry via their office (4794 Finlay Street, Ste.1, Henrico, VA 23231) Monday through Friday, 11AM to 6PM. Please contact in advance by calling 804-716-7597 or emailing [email protected] Visit their website for more information. If you can help, you can drop off canned food items at their office M-F 11AM-6PM.

As of July 1, 2020, LGBTQ Virginians are legally protected from discrimination at any private company or non-profit with 6 or more employees. Additionally, Virginia state agencies are prohibited from discriminating against LGBTQ employees regardless of how many people they employ.

Discrimination –
- Check out EV’s FAQ Guide on LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Protections.
- If you experience discrimination at your workplace, keep a contemporaneous written record in a secure place (not at work) regarding what happened, what was said, who witnessed it, and what the consequences were, along with copies of any written or electronic documents relating to the discrimination. Promptly contact an attorney.
- Where to file a complaint of discrimination:
  - If you work in Virginia and your employer has 6 or more employees, you have state-level protections through the Virginia Division of Human Rights. You can file a complaint here.
  - If you are in a union or part of an employment or staffing agency, you have state-level protections through the Virginia Division of Human Rights. You can file a complaint here.
  - If you are a Virginia state worker, state contractor, or state subcontractor, you can file a complaint here.
  - If you are a federal worker, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)‘s process for federal workers.
  - If you are a federal contractor or subcontractor, in addition to the EEOC, you also protections through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). You can file a complaint here.
  - If the business you work for employs 15 or more employees, you have federal protections through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To learn more, visit their LGBT workers page or call 1-800-669-4000. You can also access this guide to filing a charge for employment discrimination.
Cover letter and resume resources – The Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia (TAPVA) has an in-house editor who offers free services to the trans community for a resume, cover letter, or other written materials needing editing. Turnaround time for one to two typed pages is 48 hours. Three or more pages is one week. Please contact [email protected] for more details.
Restroom Access – Access the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Guide to Restrooms Access for Transgender Workers and HR Simple’s Transgender Restroom Access Guidelines.
Creating a More Trans Inclusive Space –
- Virginia’s Department of Human Resource Management has a gender transition guidance for state employees transitioning at work.
- Out & Equal offers a best practice guide for how companies should welcome non-binary employees.
- Check out more information and resources on our Transgender Ally page section for workplaces.

Transgender Students –
- Check out EV’s FAQ Guide on Advocating for Transgender & Non-Binary Students.
- As of July 1, 2020, no public school, or private school open to public enrollment, can discriminate against LGBTQ students, teachers, or administrators.
- Thanks to a new Virginia law, all school boards must adopt a comprehensive policy on how to treat transgender and non-binary students by the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. These policies will be based on guidelines developed by the Virginia Department of Education by December 31, 2020. Start talking with your school board now about why they should adopt a comprehensive policy that serves all students, including transgender and non-binary students.
- All kids should have the opportunity to do well in school and graduate. The Schools In Transition guide responds to the dynamics that affect a transgender or non-binary student’s experiences in school, and incorporates recommendations for all students kindergarten through twelfth grade. Learn more about EV’s commitment to Creating Inclusive Schools and access resources for administrators and educators.
Restroom Access – Transgender Students and School Bathrooms: Frequently Asked Questions addresses questions concerning safety, propriety, privacy, and legality that have been brought up by many people in the school community. For advocacy, check out GLAAD’s An Ally’s Guide to Talking about Transgender-Inclusive Non-Discrimination Laws.

Voting Laws in Virginia – As of July 1, 2020, you no longer need to show an ID with a photograph in order to vote. This is particularly important to transgender voters, who have sometimes had difficulty casting a ballot due to their appearance not matching the photo on their ID.
- Access this guide to learn about your rights at the poll as a trans or non-binary person.
- Click here to learn about what qualifies as valid voter identification in Virginia. Beyond a photo ID, voters can prove their identity with one of the following:
  - Voter confirmation documents
  - Valid Virginia driver’s license, valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States
  - Any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private school located in the Commonwealth
  - Any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in any other state or territory of the United States
  - Any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business
  - A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document containing the name and address of the voter

Traveling While Trans – Airport security can be a cause of anxiety for trans patrons because of the involvement of checking ID and potential pat-downs. TSA’s Know Before You Go: Transgender Travelers can be a good resource to anticipate the security process and how to request changes or help for your comfort. For more information, you can access NCTE’s Know Your Rights: Airport Security.
- Another resource that might be helpful is the LGBT Study Abroad Guide. It is specifically made for high school and college students in study abroad programs for understanding gender and sexuality in different cultural lenses, staying safe, building connections and resources. However, it also has interesting information and connections for other LGBT folks who are traveling internationally.
Travel Documents – To learn more about updating your passport as part of you transition, check out NCTE’s Know Your Rights: Passports. For the legal process in Virginia, refer to the section above to the name and gender marker change resources.

Check out EV’s FAQ Guide on LGBTQ Hate Crimes Protections.

These are organizations that offer resources for transgender and non-binary Virginians who are experiencing or know someone who has experienced some form of violence:

Virginia Anti-Violence Project (VAVP)
- Email [email protected] or call (804) 925-9242.
- 24/7 LGBTQ+ Helpline: Call 866-356-6998 or text 804-793-9999
Virginia Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
- Provides resources for individuals who have experienced sexual and/or domestic violence and their friends, information on sexual assault and intimate partner violence, and a 24 hour hotline.
- Telephone: 804-377-0335
- Email: [email protected]
The James House
- Based in the Tri-Cities area (Petersburg, Prince George County, Colonial Heights, Hopewell).
- 24 hour crisis hotline: 804-458-2840
- Learn more about their emergency shelter. They have explicit non-discrimination policies that include gender identity and expression.